House Republicans wage war against the EPA

No EPAIn 1995, a pack of rabid Republican freshmen led by Newt Gingrich held a series of votes targeting various EPA rules, but moderate Republicans refused to play along. These days, things are different. The 112th Congress’ pack of rabid Republican freshmen has organized near-total GOP unanimity on an unbroken string of anti-environmental votes — 170 so far — and rather than moderate Republicans bailing, “centrist” Dems are joining in. Worst of all is the REINS Act, passed by the House on Dec. 7, which would — and we use this term advisedly — completely f*ck the ability of the EPA to protect Americans’ air, water, and public health. For now, at least, the Senate and the White House are standing in the way.