Sewell, Jones Top the 2019 LCV Environmental Scorecard

The League of Conservation Voters Environmental Scorecard is the primary yardstick for evaluating the environmental records of every member of Congress, and is available online at scorecard.lcv.org. LCV scores votes on the most important issues of the year, including energy, public health, public lands and wildlife conservation, and spending for environmental programs.

“Alabamians treasure our public lands, and our delegation’s votes should reflect that,” said Tammy Monistere, Executive Director of Conservation Alabama. “We want to particularly thank Sen. Doug Jones for his leadership on this issue not only in 2019 but also this year, as he continues to work with colleagues from both parties to fully fund the Land & Water Conservation Fund. We also want to congratulate Rep. Terri Sewell for achieving the highest score in our delegation, thanks to her votes for public lands and clean energy.”

The 2019 Scorecard measures votes cast during the first session of the 116th Congress, which includes 29 House votes and 14 Senate votes. Alabama’s average House score was 16, and the average Senate score was 57. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL7) and Sen. Doug Jones (D) were the highest-scoring members of the delegation. The full delegations scores for 2019 are:

Senate:
Sen. Richard Shelby (R): 29
Sen. Doug Jones (D): 86

House:
Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL1): 3
Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL2): 3
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL3): 3
Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL4): 3
Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL5): 3
Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL6): 0
Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL7): 97

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. The votes included in the Scorecard presented members of Congress with a real choice and help distinguish which legislators are working for environmental protection. More information on individual votes and the Scorecard archive can be found at scorecard.lcv.org.

Senate Passes Amended Landfill Bill

On Thursday, the Senate passed the amended version of House Bill 140, which changes the definition of alternative landfill covers and requires landfills to prove the alternative covers are as effective and safe as dirt. That requirement was added as a result of the nearly 1,000 messages sent to legislators about this bill, and was part of a bipartisan agreement to make sure that Alabamians living near landfills are safe. House Bill 140 now goes to Gov. Ivey for her signature.

Senate Bill 45, which would restrict the use of drones over “critical infrastructure” like mines or pipelines, was carried over until another legislative day. Thursday was the tenth legislative day of the year, which means we’re one-third of the way through the 2020 session.

Moving from Goat Hill to Capitol Hill, bipartisan legislation to permanently fund the Land & Water Conservation Fund is making progress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) is expected to bring bills to the Senate floor after President Trump tweeted his support for LWCF and public lands, though the president’s proposed budget cuts funding for LWCF. Alabama has received more than $150 million in grants for public recreation through LWCF since the program was founded.

How Did Alabama’s Congressional Delegation Measure Up?

Each year since 1970, the League of Conservation Voters has released a Congressional Environmental Scorecard to rank our members of Congress on how they voted on the issues that impact our lands, air, water, and communities. The 2018 Scorecard included 35 votes from the House of Representatives and 14 votes from the Senate. These votes included a bill that would have cut millions in funding from the Land & Water Conservation Fund, as well as confirmation hearings on EPA officials. (View the full 2018 Scorecard by clicking here.)

So how did Alabama’s members of Congress rate?

The majority of Alabama’s congressional delegation earned a score of less than 10% for their votes, with three representatives earning a score of 0%. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL7) and Sen. Doug Jones (D) were the highest-scoring members of the delegation. The full delegations scores for 2018 are:

Senate:
Sen. Richard Shelby (R): 7
Sen. Doug Jones (D): 79

House:
Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL1): 0
Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL2): 6
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL3): 3
Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL4): 0
Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL5): 20
Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL6): 0
Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL7): 71

Holding our elected officials accountable is part of our work at Conservation Alabama. While we spend most of our time monitoring the State House and working with you to advance our conservation priorities at the state level, the LCV Scorecard gives us a great look at how our federal elected officials are representing us.

You can find out who represents you at the federal and state levels – and send them a message – by visiting our Action Center.