Press Releases

LCV Action Fund and New York LCV Announce Three Key U.S. House Endorsements

Jun 11, 2020

Courtnee Connnon, 727-744-4163, courtnee_connon@lcv.org

Washington D.C. – The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund and the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV), which work to elect pro-environment candidates, announced today the endorsement of three environmental champions in key New York districts — Representatives Grace Meng (NY-06), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).

“LCV Action Fund is committed to defending and growing our pro-environment House majority and Representatives Meng, Clarke, and Espaillat have been strong advocates for New Yorkers and our environment, as demonstrated by the perfect scores from all three on LCV’s 2019 National Environmental Scorecard,” said LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “They are standing up to the Trump administration’s relentless attacks on the air we breathe, the water we drink, and are fighting for the health and well-being of their constituents, especially communities of color, and we are proud to support them for re-election.”

“We need leaders in Congress who prioritize climate justice, clean energy, and clean water.  That’s why we are endorsing Congressmembers Espaillat, Clarke, and Meng,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “They all earned perfect scores of 100% on the 2019 National Environmental Scorecard and support legislation to slash emissions, support mass transit and clean transportation, expand clean energy, and encourage green job growth. Their commitment to combating climate change is why we are proud to endorse them in their re-election. We urge voters to cast their ballot for them on Election Day.”

“Climate change is an existential threat to humankind, and we must take action to fight Trump’s attacks on environmental protections and enact a bold progressive agenda,” said Representative Grace Meng. “I’m proud to have the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and the New York League of Conservation Voters’ support, and I look forward to continuing our work together to protect our planet.”

“Our communities are dealing with an unprecedented pandemic – not only do we have to deal with COVID-19 and racial injustice, but also the ever-present threat of climate change,” said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. “I am proud to be endorsed by LCV Action Fund and NYLCV and work with my colleagues Representatives Meng, Espaillat, and Ocasio-Cortez to address our country’s most pressing issues.”

“I am honored and grateful to earn the support of the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and New York League of Conservation Voters,” said Representative Adriano Espaillat. “Fighting Trump’s anti-environmental agenda and deregulation that negatively impacts our environment must be our priority. I will fight to protect our environment in Congress and to maintain a healthy future for our children, our communities and the planet.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng was first elected to serve New York’s 6th district in 2012. Rep. Meng is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies. Meng is a cosponsor of the Green New Deal, voted for the PFAS Action Act, and secured an amendment in H.R. 9 to highlight the linkage between climate change vulnerability and food production systems. Additionally, Meng introduced the Carbon Capture Prize Act, which would ultimately reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Rep. Meng earned a perfect score on LCV’s 2019 National Environmental Scorecard. 

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke was first elected to serve New York’s 9th district in 2006. Rep. Clarke is Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where she serves on the Communications and Technology, Environment and Climate Change, and Oversight and Investigations subcommittees. She introduced the BREATHE Act to amend the Clean Air Act to revise requirements for hazardous air pollutants. Further, Clarke co-sponsored the Drinking Water Infrastructure for Job Creation Act and the Environmental Justice for All Act. 

Congressman Adriano Espaillat was first elected to serve New York’s 13th district in 2016. Rep. Espaillat is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where he serves on both the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment and the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. Espaillat is a strong advocate for environmental justice. His amendment to H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act requires the U.S. House to consider the impact of climate change on communities of color and disenfranchised communities. He also introduced the Green Climate Fund Authorization Act of 2019, which commits U.S. funding to limit global warming and promotes environmental justice and human rights. Espaillat also serves as a senior whip for the House Democratic Caucus. 

 

About LCV Action Fund

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, the connected federal political action committee (PAC) of the League of Conservation Voters, works to elect leaders who stand up for a clean, healthy environment and to defeat anti-environment candidates who oppose climate action. Since the 1990 election cycle, LCVAF has helped elect and re-elect 90 U.S. Senators and 450 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Over the last several years, our efforts have also helped elevate climate change and clean energy as critical issues in key elections.

 

###

Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and the New York League of Conservation Voters Federal Fund and authorized by Clarke for Congress, Grace for New York, and Adriano Espaillat for Congress.