American Rivers urges House passage of Rep. McEachin’s EJ for All Act

December 2, 2022 

Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145 

Today, Democratic members of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip James Clyburn, and Natural Resources Committee Chair Raul Grijalva urging passage of the Environmental Justice for All Act before the end of the 117th Congress to honor the legacy of their late colleague Rep. Donald McEachin. Rep. McEachin passed away on Monday.  

Working alongside Chair Raul Grijalva, Rep. McEachin lead the environmental justice movement in Congress. Together, they launched an inclusive, transparent, community-led and community-driven process to create the most comprehensive environmental justice bill in history, the Enviromental Justice for All Act. Rep. McEachin served as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Natural Resources.  

“Rep. McEachin was a steadfast advocate for environmental justice and was a champion of legislation addressing the effects of climate change. He was an advocate for communities of color, low-income communities, Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities, and other vulnerable populations disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards,” said American Rivers Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, Dr. Mel Michelle Lewis. “His legacy will live on in our work as we collaborate with communities on solutions that address polluted rivers, flooding, lack of clean water, and harmful policies.”  

American Rivers joins the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, and environmental justice advocates nationwide, urging the House passage of the Environmental Justice for All Act.  

Full text of the letter is available here.