Congress Votes to Weaken Clean Air Protections to Let Corporations Pollute More

Republican-backed bills weaken the Clean Air Act, enable polluters to release more toxic chemicals into the air 

Contact: Alejandro Davila, adavila@earthjustice.org

WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. House of Representatives passed two Republican bills this week that would weaken Clean Air Act safeguards for public health. The FENCES Act and the RED Tape Act undermine commonsense measures to improve air quality, let corporations release more toxic air pollution, and strip a key Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review process for major federal projects. The vote took place on April 16. These bills now go onto the Senate. 

In response, Earthjustice Action Senior Legislative Representative Liz Ruben issued the following statement: 

“Once again, Republican lawmakers are putting corporate profits over the health and safety of families and children. House Republicans are giving free passes to polluters to emit more cancer-causing chemicals at the expense of millions of Americans who will bear the costs through asthma, chronic illnesses, and medical bills. No one should suffer because of the air they breathe. We thank the members of Congress who opposed these bills and stood up for the American people.” 

Earlier in the week, over 50 national and regional environmental, health, and conservation organizations sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to oppose these pieces of legislation. 

According to the American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air Report, over 156 million people in the United States are already living in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. Air pollution is a leading contributor to lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and premature death.