Press Releases

LCV Action Fund Endorses Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth for Re-Election

Sep 17, 2014

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 Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth for re-election to Congress (IL-08). Congresswoman Duckworth’s devotion to growing America’s clean energy economy and fighting climate change will protect both our national security and public health. 

“We are lucky to have an ally like Congresswoman Duckworth in Congress,” said LCV Action Fund President Gene Karpinski. “Her brave military service as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the Iraq war shows her dogged loyalty to our country, a resolve she brings daily to the halls of Congress. Congresswoman Duckworth is a well-informed leader who has never stopped fighting for a clean energy economy or the public health of Illinoisans and Americans alike.”

“I am honored to have the continued support of the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund,” said Congresswoman Duckworth. “Slowing carbon pollution is a national security, economic and health issue — and a moral imperative. Illinois is a leader in clean energy development and I will continue to promote the growth of energy sources like wind, solar and biofuels.  I look forward to an ongoing partnership with LCV on these important issues.”

Having made great sacrifices for her country flying combat missions in Iraq, Congresswoman Duckworth knows the severe costs of our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels. For this reason, she advocates rapid investment in alternative energy sources—wind and solar in particular—which will help America become energy independent and enhance our national security. Furthermore, Congresswoman Duckworth encourages development of a more efficient and reliable power grid, and she vows to end tax subsidies to Big Oil companies; she is a clean energy voice we need to keep in Congress. 

She also has a long history defending our nation’s public health. As a doctoral student at Northern Illinois University, Congresswoman Duckworth authored a study linking radon gas exposure and susceptibility to cancer, and then worked to inform local families of the risks. More recently, she’s publically supported the EPA’s common sense carbon pollution limits for power plants, explaining that these critical safeguards will result in cleaner air and healthier communities.

In 2012, LCV developed the Flat Earth Five program, which succeeded in defeating four climate change-denying incumbents in the House of Representatives.  Congresswoman Duckworth, who was endorsed by LCVAF, unseated Joe Walsh, one of the Flat Earth Five members. Since 2012, Congresswoman Duckworth has proved a strong ally for taking action on climate change, and has provided much needed environmental leadership in Illinois’ 8th district.  

Congresswoman Duckworth’s voting record earned her an 86% on LCV’s National Environmental Scorecard in 2013, her first year in Congress. 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.

Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth is featured on LCV Action Fund’s GiveGreen website, the only bundling website devoted exclusively to raising money for environmental champions and candidates.

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