Greens launch ad campaign to defend EPA budget

An environmental group has launched a $1 million ad buy to pressure vulnerable Republicans on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) budget.

The ad campaign highlights local public health work undertaken by the EPA and contends the agency’s efforts would be curtailed if the Trump administration’s proposed 31 percent funding cut for the agency takes effect.

The television, radio and online ads will run in 10 GOP-held House districts and in Washington, D.C., through early September. EDF Action, the political arm of the Environmental Defense Fund, is the group behind the ads.

“These new cuts would mean more toxic mercury, smog, and carbon pollution in our air and water,” EDF Action President Elizabeth Thompson said in a statement.

{mosads}“The result will be more asthma attacks for our kids and more health problems for our elderly parents. We’re calling on Members of Congress to stand up for our health and not let the worst polluters off the hook.”

House Republicans have already rejected the Trump administration’s budget request for the EPA.

The Appropriations Committee on Tuesday will mark up a bill that would cut the agency’s budget by $528 million, or 6.5 percent. Democrats have indicated they will oppose the proposed cut.