FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2020
Contact: Lauren Hierl, Vermont Conservation Voters, lhierl@vermontconservationvoters.org, (860) 670-2629
Montpelier, VT – Today, Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) released the 2019 National Environmental Scorecard from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV). The Scorecard is a valuable tool for evaluating the environmental records of every member of Congress, and is available online at scorecard.lcv.org.
“While the Trump Administration continues an unprecedented assault on protections for our air, water, public lands, wildlife, and the health of our communities, we applaud Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Congressman Peter Welch for upholding Vermonters’ strong environmental values in Congress,” said Lauren Hierl, Executive Director of Vermont Conservation Voters.
Once again Vermont’s delegation is one of the greenest in the nation. Senator Leahy received a score of 100% and Congressman Welch received a score of 97% for votes cast during the first session of the 116th Congress. Examples of their leadership include Senator Leahy’s hard work to increase funding for Lake Champlain clean-up and for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and Congressman Welch’s national leadership on energy efficiency initiatives, including for schools.
Senator Bernie Sanders received a score of 69% due to missing several votes during his Presidential campaign, but he has continued to serve as an environmental champion for Vermont in the Senate, including being a lead sponsor and vocal advocate for numerous consequential bills to address the climate crisis, ensure access to clean and affordable water, tackle toxic PFAS contamination, protect valuable public lands, address environmental justice concerns, and many other issues important to Vermonters.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders noted, “Vermont is known not only for its lakes, mountains, and pristine landscapes, but also for the environmental ethics necessary to protect these cherished natural resources. I thank organizations like Vermont Conservation Voters for advocating for a bold environmental agenda, galvanizing Vermonters around these issues, and holding elected officials accountable for their positions and votes. Enough is enough. If we are serious about avoiding the worst consequences of climate change, we must act now.”
Hierl added, “We are proud to have Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders, and Congressman Welch representing us in Congress, and fighting for a healthy environment and thriving communities.”
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) has published a National Environmental Scorecard every Congress since 1970. The Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from about 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who selected the key votes on which members of Congress should be scored. LCV scores votes on the most important issues of the year, including energy, climate change, public health, public lands and wildlife conservation, and spending for environmental programs.
On a national level, LCV Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said: “We are grateful to Speaker Pelosi and her pro-environment majority for prioritizing climate action and protections of our air, water, lands, wildlife, and democracy. While pro-environment leaders supported policies that will protect communities across the country, especially low-income communities and communities of color, from the negative impacts of climate change-fueled extreme heat, natural disasters, and toxic pollution last year. Senate Majority Leader McConnell’s refusal to act on hundreds of important House-passed bills put the health of our children and families at risk for the benefit of his corporate polluter friends.”
The 2019 Scorecard includes 29 House votes on climate related bills, protections for our air, water, lands, and wildlife, and pro-democracy legislation. In the Senate, for the third year in a row, the majority of the 14 scored votes are confirmation votes on Trump’s anti-environmental nominees.
The votes included in the Scorecard help distinguish which legislators are working for environmental protection, and which have allowed these critical issues to take a backseat. More information on individual votes and the Scorecard archive can be found at scorecard.lcv.org.
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