Senator Amy Klobuchar, Representatives Tim Walz and Jim Oberstar of Minnesota's Congressional delegation voted for the environment 100 percent of the time in the past year and a half, according to the annual Congressional Scorecard released today by Environment Minnesota.
Environment Minnesota released its annual scorecard as part of its national campaign to pass legislation to repower our economy with clean energy and cut global warming pollution. These three legislators consistently voted to put the environment ahead of special interests. “They successfully fought to invest an unprecedented $80 billion in clean energy and to protect more than two million acres of wilderness,” said Environment Minnesota Program Director Ken Bradley.
Congressmen Tim Walz said, "Green jobs that cannot be outsourced are a major part of our economic recovery and I am proud to have voted for legislation during 2009 that will preserve and protect our environment for future generations while also creating good jobs here at home," Environment Minnesota congratulates Congressmen Walz for putting the public interest ahead of special interests. "I am honored to be recognized and look forward to continuing to work with Environment Minnesota as we pursue a healthier economy and environment in 2010."
Environment Minnesota scored 7 Senate votes ranging from an economic recovery bill that allocates $80 billion in clean energy investment, a bills that caped global warming pollution and protected our coastal waters. They also scored 15 votes in the House including bills that reduced global warming pollution, protected wilderness areas, invested in clean energy and cleanup and preserved the Great Lakes.
“We applaud Senator Klobuchar, and Representatives Oberstar and Walz for being environmental champions,” said Bradley. “With the help of these Congress people, the 111th Congress is making progress in several key areas. Already the House of Representatives has passed a bill to begin to repower the country with clean energy and limit global warming pollution.”
“We urge other members of Minnesota's congressional delegation to join these leaders and work to strengthen our environmental laws—to stop global warming pollution, move America towards a cleaner energy future, and clean up our most treasured waterways,” concluded Bradley.
Bradley said the biggest disappointment was freshmen Representative Erik Paulsen scoring only 17 percent. “He has not followed in the footsteps of his predecessor Jim Ramstad, who consistently represented the interests of his district and voted with the environment over his nearly twenty years of service.” Representative Paulsen’s 17 percent score was the lowest score of any member of the Minnesota congressional delegation. Environment Minnesota hopes his record will improve in the future and reflect the district he represents.
Environment Minnesota’s scorecard is an important tool to educate the public about the voting records of elected officials and a way for the organization to honor public officials that have made the environment an important priority.
