WE ACT & Over 90 Organizations Call for Urgent Funding for Environmental Justice in 2026 Federal Budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2025
Contact: ashley.sullivan@weact.org
WASHINGTON – WE ACT for Environmental Justice led over 90 organizations to join together calling on Congress to increase funding levels for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including its environmental justice programs, in fiscal year 2026. After catastrophic and unlawful environmental justice funding cuts from the current administration, this call from organizations across the country emphasizes the need to protect all of our access to clean air, water, and land. Please see full letter here.
Albert Yuan, Legislative Coordinator, WE ACT for Environmental Justice responds:
“WE ACT for Environmental Justice is proud to be joined by over 90 organizations in a united call for full funding of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in fiscal year 2026, including full funding of the agency’s environmental justice programs. These organizations represent both frontline advocates and leaders, as well as allies of the environmental justice movement.”
“The current administration’s actions to terminate federal grants and environmental justice positions are completely illegal and threaten the health and safety of communities across the U.S., particularly working class and communities of color that have historically lived with the brunt of pollution, toxins, and hazardous waste. These communities need remediation, restoration, investment, and justice, not more pollution and broken promises.”
“We call on Congress to reject the administration’s proposed 65% cut to the EPA and instead fully fund the agency, ensure the immediate release of illegally rescinded federal funds, and provide assurances that unlawfully terminated staff and offices will be reinstated and fully staffed into the future. All people, particularly overburdened frontline and fenceline communities, deserve access to basic human rights including clean air, safe drinking water, and healthy environments.”
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About WE ACT for Environmental Justice
WE ACT for Environmental Justice is a Northern Manhattan membership-based organization whose mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low-income residents participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. WE ACT has offices in New York and Washington, D.C. Visit us at weact.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram.