The following are the votes upon which Vote Climate U.S. PAC has based our 2022 U.S. House and U.S. Senate score in the “Votes” category of our national, Climate Change Voter’s Guide. Descriptions of legislation and the votes were obtained from the League of Conservation Voters National Environmental Scorecard.
U.S. SENATE
Expanding Dirty and Dangerous Offshore Drilling
Senate Roll Call Vote 148
Issues: Drilling, Dirty Energy, Oceans
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) sponsored a motion to instruct (MTI) Senate conferees on H.R. 4521, the United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, to force the Biden Administration to immediately develop a five-year offshore oil and gas leasing plan that includes a minimum of ten region-wide oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska regions. This unconstructive MTI is not only contradictory to our necessity to act on climate change and protect coastal communities and wildlife, but it also circumvents the careful and participatory statutory process in developing the five-year plan. The oil and gas industry has already stockpiled millions of acres of unused leases, and new leases that are sold would not start producing for years or decades, thus having no impact on current oil prices. On May 4, the Senate approved the Barrasso MTI by a vote of 53-44 (Senate roll call vote 148). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. https://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2022-148-expanding-dirty-and-dangerous-offshore-drilling
Build Back Better Budget Resolution
Senate Roll Call Vote 357
Issues: Climate Change, Clean Energy, Environmental Justice, Public Lands/Forests
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) sponsored S. Con. Res. 14, the FY2022 budget resolution. Passage of the budget resolution set in motion the legislative procedure needed to pass President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take action to tackle the climate crisis in a way that addresses racial and economic inequality and creates millions of good jobs. The Build Back Better investments would set the U.S. on a path to cutting carbon pollution by at least half by 2030 and 100% carbon-free energy powering our electricity grid, new cars, buses, and buildings by 2035, while delivering at least 40% of benefits to communities of color and low-income communities that have borne the brunt of fossil fuel pollution. On August 11, the Senate approved S. Con. Res. 14 by a vote of 50-49 (Senate roll call vote 357). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The resolution was considered adopted in the House as part of H. Res. 601 on August 24. https://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2021-357-build-back-better-budget-resolution
Eliminating Safeguards on Fossil Fuel Production
Senate Roll Call Vote 320
Issues: Drilling, Dirty Energy, Climate Change, Oceans, Public Lands/Forests
Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) offered an amendment to S. Con. Res. 14, the FY2022 budget resolution, which opposed any federal regulatory or permitting actions that could hinder the development of oil, gas, and coal. This harmful amendment supported the unlimited production of dirty fossil fuels, including on our public lands and waters, completely ignoring the harm they pose to our health, taxpayers, the outdoor recreation economy, and our climate. On August 10, the Senate rejected the Lummis amendment by a vote of 49-50 (Senate roll call vote 320). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. https://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2021-320-eliminating-safeguards-fossil-fuel-production
Repealing Assault on Methane Pollution Safeguards
Senate Roll Call Vote 175
Issues: Climate Change, Dirty Energy
Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) sponsored S.J. Res. 14, the Congressional Review Act Resolution of Disapproval of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule to roll back the 2016 methane standards for new and modified sources in the oil and gas industry. The oil and gas industry is the largest source of industrial methane pollution, causing almost 25% of the climate change we currently experience. S.J. Res. 14 eliminates this dangerous rule and allows the EPA to move quickly on stronger safeguards against methane pollution, which will slow climate change and mitigate hazardous air pollutants that affect our communities, especially low-income communities and communities of color living on the frontlines of oil and gas drilling and processing. On April 28, the Senate approved S.J. Res. 14 by a vote of 52-42 (Senate roll call vote 175). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The president signed S.J. Res. 14 into law on June 30. https://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2021-175-repealing-assault-methane-pollution-safeguards
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
Senate Roll Call Vote 325
Issues: Climate Change, Clean Energy, Clean Air, Environmental Justice
Senator Schumer proposed Senate Amendment 5194 to H.R. 5376, introducing the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, to invest $369 billion in climate, jobs, and justice, marking the single largest investment in climate action in American history. The bill incentivizes clean energy, domestic manufacturing, clean vehicles, innovative technologies, and energy efficiency that will save families hundreds of dollars annually, are tied to strong labor provisions, and include added incentives for investments made in low-income and fossil-fuel impacted communities. This bill is a major step with $60 billion in EJ programs covering Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grants, Clean Ports, Reconnecting Communities, Superfund tax reinstatement, and methane emissions fee and reductions. At the same time, this bill includes provisions that could subject frontline communities to further harm from the oil and gas industry, and that are inconsistent with our climate and justice goals. Taken as a whole, however, this bill presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make transformational investments that will help protect our communities from current and future climate devastation. On August 7, the Senate approved H.R. 5376, as amended, by a vote of 51- 50 (Senate roll call vote 325). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. https://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2022-325-inflation-reduction-act-2022
U.S. HOUSE
Attacking International Climate Collaboration
House Roll Call Vote 27
Issue: Climate Change
Representative Perry sponsored Amendment 167 to H.R. 4521, the America COMPETES Act of 2022, to rescind U.S. participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UNFCCC is the critical international convening body for taking action to reduce climate pollution and build resiliency from climate change’s impacts across the globe. U.S. engagement in the UNFCCC is essential for motivating action from other current and historical major emitters and holding ourselves accountable to reducing our climate pollution and contributing to others’ actions and resiliency to account for our outsized historical contribution to this global problem. On February 3, 2022, the House rejected Amendment 167 by a vote of 196-235 (House roll call vote 27). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. https://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2022-27-attacking-international-climate-collaboration
Advancing Climate Action in the COMPETES Act
House Roll Call Vote 18
Issues: Climate Change, Clean Energy, Transportation, Environmental Justice, Oceans
Representative Johnson sponsored En Bloc Amendment 158 to H.R.4521, the America COMPETES Act of 2022, which includes a number of amendments promoting clean energy research, deployment, manufacturing, and targeting of investments toward economically disadvantaged communities. This included offshore wind development through amendments codifying the President’s commitment to 30GW by 2030 and reaffirming the Department of Interior’s authority to hold offshore wind lease sales in federal waters in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and off the coasts of North Caroline, South Caroline, Georgia, and Florida. It also included provisions setting aside funding in the Solar Component Manufacturing Supply Chain Assistance Program for small businesses in economically disadvantaged areas, extending authorization for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E), and establishing a Freight Rail Innovation institute with the goal of developing zero-emissions locomotives. Authorization for assistance to states and tribes to help address energy efficiency and decarbonization in the manufacturing sector and help reinvigorate communities reliant on the energy and industrial sectors, as well as support for the first 3 commercial scale implementations of transformative technologies, were other welcome provisions. In addition, the amendment promoted a circular economy, ocean health, climate literacy, and numerous partnerships with Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and tribes. On February 3, the House approved Amendment 158 by a vote of 221-211 (House roll call vote 18). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. https://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2022-18-advancing-climate-action-competes-act
Repealing Assault on Methane Pollution Safeguards
House Roll Call Vote 185
Issues: Climate Change, Dirty Energy
Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) sponsored S.J. Res. 14, the Congressional Review Act Resolution of Disapproval of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule to roll back the 2016 methane standards for new and modified sources in the oil and gas industry. The oil and gas industry is the largest source of industrial methane pollution, causing almost 25% of the climate change we currently experience. S.J. Res. 14 eliminated this dangerous rule and allowed the EPA to move quickly on stronger safeguards against methane pollution, which will slow climate change and mitigate hazardous air pollutants that affect our communities, especially low-income communities and communities of color living on the frontlines of oil and gas drilling and processing. On June 25, the House approved S.J. Res. 14 by a vote of 229-191 (House roll call vote 185). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. President Biden signed S.J. Res. 14 into law on June 30. https://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2021-185-repealing-assault-methane-pollution-safeguards
Pro-Environment Funding Package
House Roll Call Vote 247
Issues: Other, Climate Change, Clean Energy, Clean Air, Clean Water, Environmental Justice
Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) sponsored H.R. 4502, “Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2022,” also known as the Fiscal Year 2022 Minibus, which would boost funding for clean energy technologies, climate change and environmental justice programs, critical water infrastructure, and environmental enforcement efforts. It included critical investments in offshore wind development, more than $14 billion for clean energy and science, and funding for the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps. This bill would also fund the Environmental Protection Agency at the highest level in history, provide billions for grant programs to improve drinking water and sewer systems, and invest in renewable energy and weatherization programs. Importantly, the bill would dramatically expand environmental justice efforts to address unacceptable pollution in communities of color and honor the federal government’s responsibilities to Native Americans. On July 29, the House approved H.R. 4502 by a vote of 219-208 (House roll call vote 247). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The Senate took no action on this legislation in 2021. https://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2021-247-pro-environment-funding-package
Transformative Climate, Jobs, and Justice Investments
House Roll Call Vote 385
Issues: Climate Change, Air, Clean Energy, Environmental Justice, Transportation, Public Lands/Forests, Water, Other
Chair John Yarmuth (D-KY) sponsored H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act, a budget reconciliation bill. This transformational legislation would invest $555 billion in climate, clean energy jobs, and environmental justice and help put us on a path to cut climate emissions 50% by 2030. At the center of these investments is a robust ten-year set of tax incentives totaling $320 billion for clean energy and manufacturing, transmission, electric vehicles, innovative technologies, and energy efficiency that will save households hundreds of dollars annually, are tied to strong labor provisions, and support domestic manufacturing. The bill prioritizes environmental justice through investments in environmental and climate justice block grants, funding to reduce toxic air and water pollution, provisions to electrify ports, trucks, buses and transit, and a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund that delivers 40% of investments to disadvantaged communities, all of which help meet President Biden’s Justice40 initiative. The Build Back Better Act would also make investments in domestic manufacturing and industrial decarbonization, coupled with strong labor provisions to ensure the creation of good, union jobs in the growing clean energy economy. The Build Back Better Act would ban new oil and gas leasing off the East coast, West coast, and eastern Gulf of Mexico, fund replacement of lead pipes and clean water infrastructure, reduce methane pollution from the oil and gas industry, restore protections to the Arctic Refuge, invest in resiliency with climate-smart agriculture and coastal restoration, and so much more. On November 19, the House approved H.R. 5376 by a vote of 220-213 (House roll call vote 385). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The Senate passed the precursor budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 14), but took no action on this detailed reconciliation bill in 2021. The Build Back Better Act is the most transformative climate and environmental justice legislation in American history. https://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2021-385-transformative-climate-jobs-and-justice-investments-2x-score
Investing in Climate-Smart and Pro-Wildlife Infrastructure
House Roll Call Vote 201
Issues: Transportation, Climate Change, Wildlife
Representative Connor Lamb (D-PA) sponsored a group of amendments (en bloc amendment no. 1) to H.R. 3684, the Invest in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act. The group of 42 amendments authorizes, among other provisions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish a community resilience and restoration fund; authorizes funding for a number of wildlife corridor programs; supports the operation and expansion of public transit; improves the resilience of surface transportation infrastructure to natural disasters, extreme weather and the effects of climate change; directs the departments of Transportation (DOT) and Energy (DOE) to make recommendations on the development, adoption and integration of light- and heavy-duty electric vehicles into U.S. transportation and energy systems; and requires DOT to recommend the annual allocation of highway funds to U.S. territories. On June 30th, the House approved amendment en bloc no. 1 to H.R. 3684 by a vote of 217-186 (House roll call vote 201). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE.This group of amendments passed the House as part of the INVEST Act. H.R. 3684 became the vehicle for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included some of these provisions and was signed into law on November 15. https://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2021-201-investing-climate-smart-and-pro-wildlife-infrastructure
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
House Roll Call Vote 420
Issues: Climate Change, Clean Energy, Clean Air, Environmental Justice
Representative Yarmuth moved that the House agreed with the Senate amendment to H.R. 5376, known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, to invest $369 billion in climate, jobs, and justice, marking the single largest investment in climate action in American history. The bill incentivizes clean energy, domestic manufacturing, clean vehicles, innovative technologies, and energy efficiency that will save families hundreds of dollars annually, are tied to strong labor provisions, and include added incentives for investments made in low-income and fossil fuel-impacted communities. This bill is a major step with $60 billion in EJ programs covering Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grants, Clean Ports, Reconnecting Communities, Superfund tax reinstatement, and methane emissions fee and reductions. At the same time, this bill includes provisions that subject frontline communities to further harm, and that are inconsistent with our climate and justice goals. Taken as a whole, however, this bill presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make transformational investments that will help protect our communities from current and future climate devastation. On August 12, 2022, the House concurred with the Senate amendment to approve H.R. 5376 by a vote of 220-207 (House roll call 420). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. https://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2022-420-inflation-reduction-act-2022