FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 9, 2011

Contact: Maggie Kao, 919-360-0308

VICTORY FOR CLEAN AIR AND WATER
Budget Deal Reached in Eleventh Hour

Washington, D.C. – After weeks of political wrangling and attempts to gut the Environmental Protection Agency, an eleventh-hour budget deal was brokered late last night, narrowly averting a shutdown for the federal government.  The budget agreement appears to be free of any threats to the Clean Air Act, EPA and other vital health and environmental protections.

In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune issued the following statement:

“The Sierra Club commends President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for standing strong in the ongoing battle against corporate polluters' attacks on our air and water and the health of millions of Americans.  In a race against the clock, our nation's leaders were able to defend essential environmental and health protections from multiple assaults by corporate polluters and their friends among the House Leadership.

“This is an important victory for all Americans who want clean air and water and healthy families.  But this isn’t the last we’ll see of polluters’ assault on the Clean Air Act and the EPA.  We urge President Obama and our leaders to continue standing up for our health in this fight.”

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