Congresswoman Val Hoyle Opposes H.R. 1, Polluters Over People Act
Congresswoman Val Hoyle Opposes H.R. 1, Polluters Over People Act
U.S. Representative Val Hoyle was excused from votes today due to having COVID-19; she would have voted ‘NO’ on House Republicans’ H.R. 1 —a bill that only looks out for Big Oil and guts environmental standards
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle announces that she opposes H.R. 1, the Polluters Over People Act, and regrets that she was unable to attend the scheduled House vote because of a positive COVID-19 test on Tuesday.
H.R. 1 is House Republicans’ energy package focused on advancing fossil fuels, while rolling back environmental and clean water protections. Representative Hoyle voted against H.R.1 as it made its way through the House Natural Resource Committee.
“As we transition to a clean energy future, I refuse to sacrifice the integrity of our environmental standards for the benefit of big oil and gas companies who are already making record-shattering profits. While I agree that there is an opportunity to make these government processes easier to navigate, it’s absurd to roll back common-sense safeguards for our environment,” said Representative Val Hoyle. “My focus on energy issues is to hold big companies accountable, reduce costs for working families, create jobs, and combat the climate crisis. I would have voted against H.R. 1.”
H.R. 1 would not help consumers nor lower energy costs. Instead, it would give away rights to our public lands and waters to big oil and gas corporations at cut-rate prices. It also repeals key pieces of the Inflation Reduction Act, historic climate legislation that Democrats passed last year.
H.R.1 will gut the National Environmental Policy Act, not reform it. We need to address the lack of staff and technology resources for federal agencies as well as the transmission planning and cost allocation process for the electrical grid. This bill does neither.
Congresswoman Val Hoyle represents Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District which includes Benton, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, and Lincoln Counties. She serves on the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as well as the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources.
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