Coalition Leaders Respond to Trump’s Speech on Deregulation

Dec. 14, 2017

Contact: David Rosen, drosen@citizen.org, (202) 588-7742

“Trump’s deregulatory crusade is built on a foundation of lies, misstatements and inaccuracies. The regulatory protections his administration is rolling back, delaying or abandoning not only save lives, prevent injuries, stop consumer rip-offs and protect the planet, they make our economy stronger. The economic benefits of major regulations vastly exceed the hyped-up costs. Regulatory safeguards promote innovation, advance competition and deter reckless Wall Street activity that imperils the economy. Trump’s deregulatory binge has nothing to do with aiding the economy and everything to do with enabling big corporations to recklessly prey on and endanger the public in service of their single-minded and short-term focus on profits. Trump wants to take our country back to a 1960’s level of regulation. Most Americans aren’t nostalgic for burning rivers, haze you can’t see through, exploding factories and cars with no seatbelts, but apparently Trump is.”

– Robert Weissman, president, Public Citizen

“The Trump administration’s pattern of ignoring science puts Americans at risk. In pushing this damaging deregulatory agenda, this administration has disregarded scientific evidence, public input and the impacts on vulnerable communities. Removing these critical safeguards puts workers, families and the environment at risk, while loosening accountability for politically powerful industries. There’s no better example of their disregard for evidence and public interest than their arbitrary insistence on eliminating three safeguards for every new one they institute. The scientific community, along with community partners, are ready to push back against these attacks – together, we helped push Michael Dourson to withdraw his nomination, and we’ll continue to fight to make sure public health and safety are protected.”

– Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, director of the Center for Science and Democracy, Union of Concerned Scientists

“Starting on Day One, the Trump administration has perpetrated an all-out assault on essential public safeguards for health, safety, the environment and American families’ financial security, and today, the president took the time to revel in all the damage he has overseen. The administration’s anti-safeguard agenda for the coming year promises more of the same.”

– James Goodwin, senior policy analyst, Center for Progressive Reform

“Americans expect safe food, safe consumer products and a financial marketplace that is fair and not deceptive. Consumer protections promulgated as regulations are necessary to protect consumers as they expect, and a robust regulatory system ensures these safeguards. The deregulatory efforts described by the president today have and will continue to harm consumers who will bear the costs of a lack of critical protections.”

– Rachel Weintraub, legislative director and general counsel, Consumer Federation of America

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