Witnesses encouraged members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to think holistically and consider environmental justice issues into their responses to the Covid-19 crisis during a Tuesday hearing.
But Oklahoma Congressman Markwayne Mullin, a Republican member of the committee also offered criticism to those playing the “blame” game.
“It’s absurd to blame the President about the pandemic,” offered Rep. Mullin. “It doesn’t make sense to blame everyone.”
During his opportunity of questioning witnesses, Mullin raised the issue of broadband expansion, explaining he was just able to get Internet at his eastern Oklahoma home because of it.
“It didn’t exist until recently,” added the congressman.
But some of the witnesses offered a different take.
“Environmental justice is an environmental issue. But it is also a transportation issue. It is a housing justice issue. It is a public health issue. And it is an economic justice issue, and a few other elements,” said Mustafa Santiago Ali with the National Wildlife Federation. “Lots of times we will silo these issues.”
Rep. David McKinley accused Democrats of taking advantage of the pandemic to advance their agenda of phasing out fossil fuels. “Tying air pollution to Covid-19? Really? Seriously?” McKinley said. “You are taking advantage of a public health crisis to justify your party’s agenda against fossil fuels. We shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”
Preliminary research in several countries has suggested areas with higher air pollution have seen higher rates of Covid-19 fatalities.
Click here to view questioning by Rep. Mullin and offers during the virtual hearing.
Source: POLITICO
