WASHINGTON D.C.; July 1, 2008 - The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), which works to turn environmental values into national priorities, today added Congressman Stevan Pearce (R-NM) to its 2008 "Dirty Dozen" list.* Pearce’s record of extremism marks him as one of the twelve worst members of Congress currently up for election.
"During his five years in Congress, Steve Pearce has voted consistently against the environment," LCV Senior Vice-President for Political Affairs and Public Education Tony Massaro said. "Of the 80 conservation key votes since he has been elected, Pearce has voted against clean air, clean energy, protecting the nation's wildlife, and preserving our natural heritage in all but one vote."
Pearce's lifetime LCV score is an embarrassing 1%. He has earned three 0% scores in his tenure and his highest annual score was 5% in his first year.** His opponent, Tom Udall, has earned a 96% lifetime LCV score.
In addition to owning millions of dollars of stock in Key Energy, a Texas-based oil services company, Steve Pearce has accepted more from the oil and gas industry, $556,649, than from any other economic sector. He has voted to give more than $14 billion in tax breaks to the oil industry, opposed renewable electricity, and fought against fuel efficient cars that would save New Mexico families hundreds of dollars at the pump...more
LCV Adds Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to 2008 "Dirty Dozen"
WASHINGTON D.C.; April 10, 2008 - The members of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the independent political voice for the environment, today voted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to the 2008 "Dirty Dozen" list.
LCV members voted online to decide which 2008 candidate had committed the most egregious offenses against the environment. 25,000 concerned citizens voted for the next member of the "Dirty Dozen," and chose Sen. McConnell by an overwhelming margin.
"Our members know that Mitch McConnell has voted against our health and safety since he came to Washington. They know that he stands as an impassable roadblock in the way of a clean energy future for this country," said LCV President Gene Karpinski. "They know that it is time to tear down this roadblock. That's why McConnell, this 'Godfather of Green,' is the new 'Don' of the Dirty Dozen."..more
WASHINGTON D.C.; Jan. 24, 2008 - The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the independent political voice for the environment, today announced that former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer (R-CO) has been named to its 2008 "Dirty Dozen" list.
During his tenure in Congress, Bob Schaffer worked to get Big Oil $33 billion in tax breaks by supporting an energy bill written by Dick Cheney and the oil industry. After leaving the House, he went to work for Big Oil. Now he wants to return to Washington to work for them in the Senate," said LCV Senior Vice President and Colorado native Tony Massaro. "Coloradans deserve a senator who works for them, not Big Oil."..more
WASHINGTON D.C.; Oct. 10, 2007 - The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the independent political voice for the environment, today announced that U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) are the first two members of its 2008 "Dirty Dozen" list. This is the earliest in a campaign cycle LCV has ever named members to the Dirty Dozen.
"America's energy future was a decisive issue in the last election and poll after poll indicates that energy and global warming will be decisive issues in 2008,"LCV President Gene Karpinski said. Senator Inhofe and Representative Knollenberg were named to the Dirty Dozen so early because they are two of the biggest opponents in Congress when it comes to making progress on global warming and clean energy."
LCV's trademark Dirty Dozen program targets members of Congress — regardless of party affiliation -- who consistently vote against the environment and are up for re-election in races where LCV has a serious chance to affect the outcome. Since the Dirty Dozen was launched in 1996, LCV has defeated more than half of the candidates named to the list. In 2006 alone, LCV ousted several supposedly “undefeatable” incumbents such as former House Resources Chairman Richard Pombo and former Senator Conrad Burns. Other Dirty Dozen members who were defeated in ’06 include: Senators George Allen (R-VA), Rick Santorum (R-PA), and Jim Talent (R-MO), and Representatives Bob Beauprez (R-CO), Katherine Harris (R-FL), J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), Richard Pombo (R-CA), and Charles Taylor (R-NC). In addition, two members of the Dirty Dozen resigned: Reps. Tom Delay (R-TX) and Bob Ney (R-OH).
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