Matsui Denounces Most Anti-Environment House in History of Congress'

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 19, 2011

CONTACT: ALANA JUTEAU
(202) 225-7163

Matsui Denounces andlsquo;Most Anti-Environment House in History of Congress'

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) denounced the anti-environment House of Representatives of the 112th Congress. A new report released by the Minority staff of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce provides a detailed analysis of the anti-environment record of the House during the first session of this Congress. Since Republicans took the Majority in January, the House has voted 191 times to weaken environmental protections. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congresswoman Matsui has been vocal in her opposition to the Republican's anti-environment agenda.

"Time and again, House Republicans have voted to roll back environmental protections, endangering the progress we have made in safeguarding our air, water, lands, and health," said Congresswoman Matsui. "Their attacks on the Environmental Protection Agency and their denial of climate change have been relentless. Government should be in the business of protecting our constituents, not bowing to big corporations. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues have shown where their loyalties lie, and it is not with America's public health."

The House averaged more than one anti-environmental vote for every day the House was in session this year. 22 percent of roll call votes in 2011 undermined environmental protections. On average, 94% of Republicans voted in favor of the anti-environment position during these votes, while 86% of Democrats voted the pro-environment position.

77 times the House voted to undermine the Clean Air Act; 47 times to weaken the protection of public land and coastal water; 28 times to undermine the Clean Water Act; and 27 times to block action to address climate change. The Environmental Protection Agency was targeted in 114 votes, while the Department of Interior was targeted 35 times and the Department of Energy targeted 31.

For the full report on the most anti-environment House in history, click here. For more information on Congresswoman Matsui's work on the Energy and Commerce Committee in defense of the environment, visit matsui.house.gov/environment.

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