WASHINGTON, DC—The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, which works to elect candidates who will implement sound environmental policies, announced today its endorsement of Peter DeFazio for re-election to Congress (OR-4). Having represented Oregon for over 25 years, Congressman DeFazio has proven himself a crucial environmental leader who works to combat climate change, promote clean energy and protect public lands. 

“Congressman DeFazio has time and again shown he is an independent and effective legislator who will fight to protect our air, water, open spaces and wildlife,” said LCV Action Fund President Gene Karpinski. “Congressman DeFazio takes on the Big Polluters and radical climate change deniers and is an outspoken advocate about the urgent need to combat climate change, grow the clean energy economy, decrease dependence on dirty fossil fuels and reduce harmful carbon pollution.”

“Throughout his tenure, Congressman DeFazio has consistently fought to preserve our precious public lands and natural resources,” said Doug Moore, Executive Director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. “Congressman DeFazio understands we have an obligation to protect our planet for our children and grandchildren, which is why he works tirelessly to combat climate change and invest in clean energy. He is a staunch advocate for our economy, our environment and our way of life.”

“In Congress, I have led the fight to stop efforts to gut critical environmental laws that protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the incredible natural wonders we enjoy. In the most anti-environmental House of Representatives in history, I have pushed for significant action to combat climate change and for an innovative and sustainable 21st century energy policy. The rugged beauty of our forests, mountains, and the crystal clean rivers and streams that run through them are the foundations of our recreation economy and they must be preserved for future generations to enjoy. I have long been a champion of these landscapes. I am honored to once again have the endorsement of the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and I look forward to continuing to work with them to accomplish our common goals,” said Congressman Peter DeFazio. 

Elected to serve as Ranking Member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in 2014, DeFazio has used this powerful post to stand up to attacks on the EPA’s landmark Clean Water Rule and to call for the reduction of oil consumption in the transportation sector. He has also called for a significant increase in funding for transportation infrastructure, including mass transit, passenger rail, as well as bike and pedestrian infrastructure. 

As a member of the Safe Climate Caucus, Congressman DeFazio has been a leader in protecting our environment and combating climate change, consistently opposing polluter-driven attacks on the Clean Air Act and voting against assaults on the EPA’s ability to apply commonsense safeguards to curb harmful carbon pollution and protect public health. He has also been a staunch advocate for the protection of Oregon’s precious public lands, including the Oregon Caves National Monument, Steens Mountain, Mt. Hood, the Cascade-Siskiyous, the Elk River and Copper Salmon area, the Oregon Badlands, Soda Mountain, and Spring Basin. 

DeFazio has earned a 90 percent lifetime score on LCV’s National Environmental Scorecard. The non-partisan Scorecard is the nationally accepted yardstick used to rate members of Congress on environmental and clean energy issues. Based on key environmental votes in the House and Senate, it is often used by the media to quickly describe a Member’s record. For more information, visit https://scorecard.lcv.org.

DeFazio is featured on LCV Action Fund’s GiveGreen website, the only bundling website devoted exclusively to raising money for environmental champions for federal office. 

About LCV Action Fund

The League of Conservation Voters Action Fund (LCVAF), the connected federal political action committee (PAC) of the League of Conservation Voters, works to elect candidates who will implement sound environmental laws and policies, and defeat those who stand in the way of progress. Since the 1994 election cycle, LCVAF has helped elect and re-elect 69 U.S. Senators and 306 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.  In the 2013-2014 election cycle, LCVAF endorsed over 70 candidates and raised and donated almost $6 million dollars via GiveGreen. Over the last several years, our efforts have also helped elevate climate change and clean energy as critical issues in key elections. 

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Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and authorized by DeFazio for Congress.