    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2025)]
    [Senate]
    [Page S1350]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

          By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr.
            Booker, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Wyden,
            Mr. Schiff, Mr. Sanders, and Mr. Whitehouse):
      S. 720. A bill to establish an Office of Environmental Justice within
    the Department of Justice, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
    the Judiciary.
      Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Empowering
    and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act of 2025. This bill would
    establish in statute the Office of Environmental Justice within the
    Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of
    Justice.
      The principles of environmental justice call for environmental
    fairness, regardless of race, color, national origin or income, and the
    meaningful involvement of communities in the development of laws and
    regulations that affect every community's natural surroundings and the
    places people live, work, play, and learn. California was one of the
    first States in the Nation to codify a definition of ``environmental
    justice'' in statute, understanding the disproportionate impact that
    frontline communities face.
      This reality could not be more relevant today in light of the recent
    firings of environmental justice and ENRD employees at the Department
    of Justice. During the 117th Congress, I was proud to work with my
    colleague Representative Barragan on a bill that called for the
    creation of an Environmental Justice Office at the DOJ, and we were
    pleased that the Department moved forward to establish this office in
    May 2022.
      However, on her first day as Attorney General, Pam Bondi eliminated
    all environmental justice efforts at the DOJ, in line with President
    Trump's orders to eliminate all DEI initiatives at Federal Agencies.
    Her order effectively terminated the office and halted all programs
    designed to fight pollution and enforce environmental laws.
      I therefore urge my colleagues to join me in working to codify this
    office so that environmental enforcement does not fall victim to
    political agendas. The work that this office did made a real impact,
    making progress in ensuring that all people can breathe clean air,
    drink clean water, and live in healthy, resilient environments.
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