April is Earth Month. While Mother Nature is flooding the central and southeastern parts of the country, Trump and his minions are flooding the zone with contradictory orders, rules, and proclamations. The Trump administration continues its assault on America’s air quality, land, and water with
mass firings throughout the EPA, Dept of the Interior—including the National Park Service and firefighters in the Forest Service, Dept of Agriculture’s Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Administration, and cancellations of hundreds of grants funding vital scientific research on land use, wildlife populations, tick and mosquito-borne diseases, agricultural processes, environmental and health effects of pollutants, and climate change. Some workers have been rehired, adding to the mass confusion across departments. Meanwhile, executive orders continue to ramp up fossil fuel production, timber harvesting, and mineral extraction on public lands. Research projects, pharmaceutical tests, and weather prognostications are being disrupted or abruptly canceled. There is some good news. On January 23, 2025, Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT1) reintroduced H.R.718, Public Lands in Public Hands, to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from transferring certain Federal lands to private ownership, among other provisions. To date it has one original cosponsor, Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM2). Fired federal workers are suing to get their jobs back, in some cases winning in the courts. Last week, Sen. Cory Booker held the Senate floor for over 25 hours, while detailing the
egregious behavior of the executive branch of government. On Saturday, millions of Americans took to the streets in all 50 states to protest this administration’s lawless and destructive behavior. This Earth Month, help Progressive Democrats of America fight for people and the planet over profit and bald authoritarianism. Attend our weekly Campaign to Victory call on Thursday evenings and our Progressive Town Hall on Sunday afternoons. Join our Action team to help elect courageous progressives, and donate to help us maintain and expand our efforts. Earth is our only home, and we must take care of her or perish. Solidarity, Debra Schrishuhn for the PDA National Team |
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