Booker, Duckworth, Carper Applaud Creation of New DOJ Office of Environmental Justice

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Tom Carper (D-DE), co-founders of the Senate’s first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus (EJC), today issued a joint statement applauding the EPA and DOJ for creating the Office of Environmental Justice to address environmental justice issues across the nation.

“As co-founders of the Environmental Justice Caucus, we’re pleased to see the Biden Administration making another big move to prioritize environmental justice through the creation of this new office at the Department of Justice. We look forward to working closely with DOJ and EPA to help communities that unfairly bear the brunt of pollution. By strengthening enforcement against the bad actors that exploit our most disadvantaged communities, we will better be able to protect public health and promote equity for every citizen, no matter their zip code. Every American has a right to drink clean water, breathe clean air and live in communities free of pollution, and this announcement moves us closer to a future where that is a reality.”

The EJC calls Congress’ attention to the many environmental justice issues affecting our nation. The caucus is focused on raising awareness, advancing legislation, conducting oversight and speaking loudly for communities that for far too long have been disproportionately impacted by polluting industries.