Hoyer, Carter Statement Marking One Year of EPA's Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights Office

WASHINGTON, DC –  Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Chair of the Regional Leadership Council (RLC), and Congressman Troy A. Carter (LA-02), leader of Region 7 on the council, marked the one-year anniversary of the Biden-Harris Administration's formation of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR). This office has been crucial in advancing the Environmental Protection Agency's work to address the environmental impacts facing Americans who live in underserved communities overburdened by pollution.  

“For a year, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) has worked to ensure that we tackle the climate crisis in the most equitable and effective manner possible," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. "OEJECR continues to play a crucial role in implementing the climate policies and programs that Democrats established through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and other historic laws that we secured last Congress." 

The lawmakers continued, "The Regional Leadership Council (RLC) looks forward to continuing to work with OEJECR to implement Democrats' Investing in America Agenda. Indeed, Investing in America means investing in all of America, especially historically underserved communities that have too often been overlooked. All Americans – no matter where they live – deserve to breathe clean air, drink safe water, and live in a healthy environment. That's why the RLC and OEJECR are committed to ensuring these transformative climate policies and programs reach every American in every community in the country." 

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries created the Regional Leadership Council in January 2023 and appointed Congressman Hoyer to serve as chair. The council consists of twelve Members, each of whom represent one of the United States' twelve regions. The council is working to ensure that Americans in every corner of the country and in every zip code can access the opportunities created by the historic policies that Democrats secured in the 117th Congress, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Honoring Our PACT Act, and many others.