Christopher Schuler, christopher.schuler@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC – Today, the United States Senate passed the House Republican government funding measure that makes drastic cuts to essential services the American people rely on, dismantles critical environmental protections, and sacrifices the health and safety of American families all to provide bigger handouts and kickbacks to corporate polluters.
Joining Republicans to advance the measure procedurally were Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats.
The misguided funding bill essentially codifies many of the reckless cuts implemented by Donald Trump and Elon Musk—including shuttering entire government agencies, laying off tens of thousands of career public servants, and limiting access to vital services that have been made under the guise of “efficiency” in recent weeks.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous released the following statement:
“Today, the Republican-led United States Senate voted to sacrifice the health, safety, and prosperity of the American people. Let us be clear: with this bill, Republicans in Congress are telling us all they are eager to cede their responsibilities to Donald Trump and Elon Musk, sacrificing American families, American communities, and our future along the way. We are dismayed that Leader Schumer and nine Senate Democrats would not stand in their way.
“We have heard Leader Schumer’s explanation for advancing this legislation, and we are clear-eyed about the unmitigated harm the Trump-Musk administration could impose with a government shutdown. But, we cannot ignore the pain and destruction Trump and Musk are inflicting on the American people every single day. We cannot see past the deadly and dangerous cuts this bill makes to essential services American families rely upon. We do not believe there was justification for allowing this legislation to advance.
“As the Trump-Musk administration lays waste to the federal government, to critical protections that protect our health and our communities, and to our essential services, we need a united front willing to use every tool at their disposal to fight back and defeat this reckless and dangerous White House. The Sierra Club is not backing down. Along with our millions of members and supporters, we will continue to make our voices heard in conversations with our neighbors, in town hall and community meetings, and use each and every tool at our disposal to demand accountability.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.