Dear Neighbor,Last week, I joined my fellow Virginia Democrats in the House — Bobby Scott, Jennifer McClellan, Don Beyer, and Jennifer Wexton — to submit an amicus brief in support of the Southern Environmental Law Center and The Wilderness Society’s lawsuit to prevent the automatic approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP).As you may know, the MVP is a natural gas pipeline that would extend through the heart of Virginia, damaging hundreds of streams and many acres of wetlands and requiring the confiscation of private property from Virginia families. House Republicans shoehorned the approval of the MVP into the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the agreement struck between President Biden and House Republicans to raise the debt ceiling and avert default.When the legislative text of the Fiscal Responsibility Act was released, Virginia Democrats teamed up to submit an amendment to remove the MVP provision from the bill. The amendment was later blocked by House Republicans, stripping Virginians of the chance for a thorough review of the MVP proposal before its approval.In our brief, we argue that the MVP provision sidesteps National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) protections, silences the voices of those impacted by this project, and represents a constitutional violation of the separation of powers between Congress and the judiciary.Every Virginian deserves a voice in this process, especially those whose lives and livelihoods are at risk due to this ill-advised and dangerous project. Low-income and minority communities have historically suffered the worst effects of environmental pollution, and we have a responsibility to protect and bolster these affected communities.I will proudly continue to fight for a cleaner, healthier, and more just environment.As always, my office is here to help. If we can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us at (703) 256-3071.