[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S1350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. 
        Booker, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Wyden, 
        Mr. Schiff, Mr. Sanders, and Mr. Whitehouse):
  S. 720. A bill to establish an Office of Environmental Justice within 
the Department of Justice, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
the Judiciary.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Empowering 
and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act of 2025. This bill would 
establish in statute the Office of Environmental Justice within the 
Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of 
Justice.
  The principles of environmental justice call for environmental 
fairness, regardless of race, color, national origin or income, and the 
meaningful involvement of communities in the development of laws and 
regulations that affect every community's natural surroundings and the 
places people live, work, play, and learn. California was one of the 
first States in the Nation to codify a definition of ``environmental 
justice'' in statute, understanding the disproportionate impact that 
frontline communities face.
  This reality could not be more relevant today in light of the recent 
firings of environmental justice and ENRD employees at the Department 
of Justice. During the 117th Congress, I was proud to work with my 
colleague Representative Barragan on a bill that called for the 
creation of an Environmental Justice Office at the DOJ, and we were 
pleased that the Department moved forward to establish this office in 
May 2022.
  However, on her first day as Attorney General, Pam Bondi eliminated 
all environmental justice efforts at the DOJ, in line with President 
Trump's orders to eliminate all DEI initiatives at Federal Agencies. 
Her order effectively terminated the office and halted all programs 
designed to fight pollution and enforce environmental laws.
  I therefore urge my colleagues to join me in working to codify this 
office so that environmental enforcement does not fall victim to 
political agendas. The work that this office did made a real impact, 
making progress in ensuring that all people can breathe clean air, 
drink clean water, and live in healthy, resilient environments.
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