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Dick Gephardt on EnvironmentDemocratic Representative (MO-3); Former Democratic Candidate for President |
A: We need an advocate for the environment in the White House. I'll be that advocate, promoting cleaner, renewable energy - a real investment that will slash air pollution. I will continue to fight against oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and protect our national treasures. And I will get the oil industry lobbyists out of the Oval Office.
In the U.S., we’ve been able to pass relatively strict environmental regulations. The vast majority of Americans support these pro-environment rules, yet complying with them does come with a cost, part of which businesses rightly bear. If American companies can move to other lands, where environmental laws are not enforced or nonexistent, they will save money, helping the corporate bottom line. Thus, the environment is a competitiveness issue. Moving the world toward shared environmental standards will benefit everybody’s children and remove the incentives for companies to shop the world in search of pollution-friendly regimes.
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is the political voice of the national environmental movement and the only organization devoted full-time to shaping a pro-environment Congress and White House. We run tough and effective campaigns to defeat anti-environment candidates, and support those leaders who stand up for a clean, healthy future for America. Through our National Environmental Scorecard and Presidential Report Card we hold Congress and the Administration accountable for their actions on the environment. Through regional offices, we build coalitions, promote grassroots power, and train the next generation of environmental leaders. The 2003 National Environmental Scorecard provides objective, factual information about the environmental voting records of all Members of the first session of the 108th Congress. This Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who selected the key votes on which Members of Congress should be graded. LCV scores votes on the most important issues of the year, including environmental health and safety protections, resource conservation, and spending for environmental programs. Scores are calculated by dividing the number of pro-environment votes by the total number of votes scored. The votes included in this Scorecard presented Members of Congress with a real choice on protecting the environment and help distinguish which legislators are working for environmental protection. Except in rare circumstances, the Scorecard excludes consensus action on the environment and issues on which no recorded votes occurred.