In response to President Biden’s speech in Philadelphia today, Earthjustice president Abigail Dillen issued the following statement:

“Tonight, President Biden made clear the threats to our democracy. We face an uncertain future at the hands of a Supreme Court whose conservative supermajority has established its intention to roll back necessary safeguards and take away fundamental rights to health care and access to voting. Meanwhile, the climate crisis plays out in real time, including for the residents of Jackson, Mississippi who will indefinitely remain without safe drinking water due in large part to extreme weather. The right to vote and participate in fair elections ensure that communities can hold decision-makers accountable, a right that must be extended to communities long overburdened by pollution and lack of resources. Voters choose leaders, not the other way around. People in America want climate action: laws that avert the worst impacts yet to come of climate change. Congress and President Biden can and should use every tool in their toolbox to protect voting rights and secure a healthy future for all.”