On the recordJune 26, 2024
Environmental justice is a concept closely intertwined with DEI principles. Rather than seeking to use Federal resources to mitigate environmental harms as effectively and efficiently as possible, advocates of environmental justice want resources allocated based on their misguided notion of equity for marginalized communities. DHS owes all Americans fair treatment regardless of race, ethnicity, or any other factor. It also owes it to taxpayers to dedicate its resources to where they can provide the most benefit. Whatever some critical theory professor might claim, we all know that the weather is not racist. A tornado will not check the race of a homeowner before damaging a house. If the temperature reaches 100 degrees in your town, it will be 100 degrees for everyone. The existing environmental justice strategy for 2021 through 2025 sets such goals as: expand department-wide awareness of environmental justice considerations that might result from its programs, policies, and activities; further the integration of environmental justice principles into DHS lines of business, prominently including mitigation, adaptation, and resilience; strengthen outreach to communities and stakeholders. It goes on and on and on. It doesn't say anything about providing resources in the case of a catastrophic event. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.





