WASHINGTON - Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, issued the following statement on President Obama's decision to withdraw consideration of the new protections against smog pollution that were proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

Senator Boxer said: "I strongly believe that protecting air quality based on the science leads to more job growth because it brings so many positive health benefits to our workers. Although I am disappointed with this decision to delay action, I am heartened by the President's commitment to vigorously oppose any efforts to dismantle the Clean Air Act and the progress that we have made."