Last year, Rep. Donald McEachin led a historic, unique legislative process with Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva to ensure the priorities of people facing disproportionate negative impacts of the climate crisis and environmental injustices were incorporated into federal legislation. Frontline communities had a key voice in developing that legislation. The result: the Environmental Justice for All Act (EJ for All), the most significant effort by the federal government to address generations of environmental racism.

Environmental injustice is deeply rooted in American history. Black, brown, Indigenous, and low-income communities suffer vastly disproportionate impacts from climate change and environmental hazards. The EJ for All Act paves the way for remedying a long history of environmental harm and racism and ensuring fair treatment.

The EJ for All Act would enable frontline communities to hold polluters accountable in court for projects that use federal funds and engage in environmental discrimination. It contains bold policies that will strengthen the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to require federal agencies to consider the cumulative and disproportionate impacts of pollution on low-income communities and communities of color and would use new fees on oil, gas, and coal companies to fund investments in environmental justice communities.

Sadly, Rep. McEachin passed away on November 29. But his critical work to address environmental racism lives on, and now Congress has the opportunity to ensure this vital legislation passes. Congress must pass the Environmental Justice for All Act!