Six Oregon lawmakers oppose Trump’s EPA grant freeze

Six Oregon lawmakers, all Democrats, told the White House on Wednesday that its decision to freeze grants administered by the Environmental Protection Agency poses a serious threat to fundamental public health and environmental protections in Oregon and nationwide.

“Americans deserve to know whether the EPA will protect their health and safety and defend their communities from air, land, and water contamination,” said the letter to the president from Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici and Kurt Schrader

“Unfortunately, this freeze creates uncertainty and could have negative consequences that affects every air-breathing and water-drinking American,” they wrote. “Given these concerns, we respectfully ask that the review of EPA grants and contracts be completed as quickly as possible.”

Even a temporary EPA grants freeze, they wrote, could delay critical projects nationwide and in Oregon, including projects in Clackamas County, Portland, Tigard, Baker City and Eugene.

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Meanwhile, other decisions Wednesday by the new president also drew scorn from Oregon lawmakers.

Merkley issued this statement after President Trump signed new executive orders on immigration policy:

“Trump’s border wall will waste our scarce resources: a 21-foot ladder defeats a 20-foot wall. There are smarter strategies for border security and for infrastructure investment. Let’s repair and expand our roads, bridges, jetties, transmission lines, rural broadband, and water infrastructure, to name just a few much better options.

“Moreover, Trump’s plan to turn local police into immigration agents promotes crime by destroying the community policing strategies essential for effective law enforcement. It’s a big mistake, and I stand with our cities determined not to make this mistake.”

Wyden issued this statement in response to reported executive orders opening the door to torture and creating a ban on refugees and immigrants from several majority Muslim nations:

“What the Trump administration appears to be considering with regard to interrogation and detention would be illegal, contrary to our fundamental American values and profoundly destructive to our national security. These reported deliberations within the administration make it even more urgent that the full Senate Intelligence Committee torture report be distributed around the government, declassified and released to the public,” Wyden said.

“Furthermore, the reported ban on refugees and immigrants from several majority Muslim countries is a thinly disguised religious test that would do nothing to safeguard our nation, while running counter to core American values.

“Shutting the door to these refugees, including many Christians and other religious minorities, forsakes America’s legacy as a place of shelter for those fleeing religious persecution. Banning women and children from war-torn nations from finding refuge in the U.S. only provides fodder for our enemies and distracts from the real threats facing our nation.

“I am absolutely committed to fighting any actions that would return us to the dark days of torture or create religious tests to enter the United States. There is a bipartisan coalition in Congress that will oppose these abhorrent proposals and any attempts to circumvent or change the law.”