Energy & the Environment
California's 37th Congressional District is home to beautiful natural landscapes that we must preserve for future generations.
Congressmember Karen Bass understands that we are in the midst of a climate crisis. As wildfires rage throughout the state and throughout countries all around the world, it is obvious now more than ever that the climate crisis is both urgent and existential. Protecting the environment is a critical part of protecting the health of all Americans. Clean air and water and the preservation of natural resources are issues of utmost concern to protect both Americans today and of future generations. Combating climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing both our nation and the entire international community.
In order to address these issues, Congressmember Bass is committed to investing in new technology and renewable resources that meet America’s increasing energy needs and protect both the environment and national security. She believes that investing in cleaner, more cost-effective energy will reduce the effects of global warming, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create clean energy jobs here in America.
Unfortunately, due to the times we now face in this country, it is also worth noting that Congressmember Bass believes in facts and science.
Environmental Issues in California’s 37th District
California’s 37th District includes a number of environmental treasures as well as a very sizable constituency of environmental activists. Representative Bass is committed to continuing to amplify the voice of her constituents and prioritize the environment in Congress.
Local environmental priorities include:
- Expanding park and recreational facilities
- Ensuring safe extraction of oil in the Inglewood Oil Field
- Protecting Ballona Creek
- Reducing pollution by supporting the expansion of public transportation – like the Crenshaw-LAX Light Rail, the Westside Extension Subway, and expanded bus routes
- Cleaning up brownfields
More on Energy & the Environment
The Environmental Justice for All Act is the product of a multi-year collaborative effort based on extensive public feedback and serious engagement with hundreds of environmental justice groups. A public draft of the bill received several hundred written comments from environmental justice leaders and everyday Americans, and was improved it based on their feedback.
“Tonight, the President again came to the halls of Congress and ironically attempted to push an agenda of unity.
“He said we should reject the politics of revenge and embrace cooperation on the same day that he taunted the Senate Minority Leader on Twitter about election results.
“Within the first few minutes of his speech, the President touted getting families off of food stamps. He stood there just months after pushing an agenda to eliminate SNAP for families across America.
“The Trump administration today is taking measures to bring Los Angeles back to the days of smog alerts. As has been already well-documented, the effects of rolling back these environmental protections will be first felt by those living in communities just off of highways. California’s standards are not only part of a larger responsibility to take care of our planet, but also part of a very local push to protect our public health by reducing risk factors that lead to asthma and heart disease.
On the campaign trail, then-candidate Donald J. Trump asked the African-American community “What do you have to lose?” in reference to voting for him. When the Rep. Bass and members of the CBC executive leadership team met with President Trump in March 2017, the caucus answered his question in the form a 130-page policy document titled, “We Have A Lot to Lose: Solutions to Advance Black Families in the 21st Century.” President Trump never responded to the document.
The Representatives wrote:
Throughout the year, Rep. Bass was able to engage and inform thousands of constituents through town halls and community meetings addressing some of the nation’s most critical issues including executive oversight, immigration, workforce development, health care, and foster care. The End of Year Report Back gave Rep. Bass an opportunity to recap this year’s legislative accomplishments and announce her plan for 2018.
“This attack on the environment must also be combatted as yet another instance of dog-whistle politics, this time a targeted and calculated attack against Native Americans in Utah,” said Rep. Bass. “Just 4 days after the end of Native American Heritage Month, President Trump has seized the opportunity to erase a legacy left by President Obama and attack the lands of Native Americans at the same time, all the while exerting total disregard for the work of five sovereign Tribes of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition.
“Climate change denial and policy implementation with no regard for scientific findings make the U.S. look backwards and ridiculous on the world stage. There is no doubt in my mind that the Trump administration’s renegotiation of the Paris Climate Accord will fail to sufficiently protect the environment. This action is President Trump taking yet another step to cede our international leadership by adding our country’s name to the two-country list of Nicaragua and Syria as those that have declined to be a part of this landmark deal.