Lauren Lantry, lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
On day 18 of the government shutdown, Trump is grasping at straws to get his dangerous border wall built while Americans are stretched thinner and thinner by the day. While families struggle without pay across the country because of Trump’s political ploy, his administration is nonetheless taking the opportunity to continue to attack clean water, clean air, and public lands. In fact, to add insult to injury, Trump’s Interior Department is continuing to process oil drilling applications during the shutdown.
Here’s a look at some other consequences of Trump’s shutdown:
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In North Carolina, the shutdown is delaying disaster relief payments to farmers hurt by Hurricanes Michael and Florence.
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Also in North Carolina, surface-water tests to make sure potentially toxic chemicals from Chemours (GenX) are not discharging into the Lower Cape Fear River are on hold.
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In Kansas, an EPA staffer revealed the struggle to make ends meet without a paycheck.
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In Kentucky, workers cleaning up a coal spill may not get their next paychecks.
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In Utah, the EPA press team is furloughed leaving Utahns in the dark about dangerous dirty haze looming over Salt Lake City.
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In Alaska, the shutdown is stalling preparations for wildfire season.
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With park rangers furloughed, three people have now died while visiting National Parks.
Below is a quote from Sierra Club legislative director Melinda Pierce.
“While he’s closed the government to the American people, Trump has hung up an ‘open for business’ sign for corporate polluters. Americans don’t deserve to be put in harm's way over Trump’s border wall boondoggle -- he and Senate Republicans should agree to a clean funding package immediately.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.