Today, the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) released the North Carolina delegation’s scores for the League of Conservation Voters’ 2023 National Environmental Scorecard highlighting how some members chose to champion the environment and protect our democracy, while others failed to do so. Since 1970, LCV’s Scorecard has been the primary yardstick for evaluating the environmental records of members of Congress. It is available in Spanish and English at scorecard.lcv.org.
The 2023 Scorecard shows the stark contrast between pro-environmental members of Congress and extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress. This year, many in our state’s delegation fought back against attacks on our democracy and environmental protections. This was a dramatic change from 2022, when climate champions led both the House and Senate, passing the most significant climate and clean energy investments in American history.
In 2023, some in our state’s delegation supported legislation that benefits people and the planet. But, unfortunately, most actively worked against it. This type of Congressional gridlock and chaos created by MAGA extremists led to one of the least productive Congress’ ever.
“Despite the gridlock and chaos in Congress today, we know climate champions–like Representative Deborah Ross–are working everyday to ensure we have clean air, water, and energy,” said Carrie Clark, Executive Director at NCLCV. “Unfortunately, most of our representatives and both our senators continue to use their votes to cater to Big Polluters and right-wing extremists. Here at home, we still have to work with Governor Cooper to implement the clean energy economic development and climate protection funding from the Biden affordable clean energy plan to ensure North Carolina continues to be economically strong, while preserving its natural beauty and protecting our citizens from the increasingly severe weather associated with climate change. North Carolinians must hold elected officials like Senators Budd and Tillis, and Reps. Foxx, Bishop, Edwards, Hudson, McHenry, Murphy, and Rouzer accountable for putting polluters and climate change deniers over our communities and ensure champions like Reps. Adams, Ross, Jackson, Foushee, Nickel, Manning, and Davis continue to hold the line for us in Congress.”
“I am grateful to be recognized by the League of Conservation Voters for my work to combat the climate crisis and protect our precious environment for generations to come,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross. “From thousands of jobs created in the clean energy sector to increased EV production and sales, we are already seeing the incredible impact of historic climate legislation in North Carolina and beyond. While we still have a long road ahead of us, I remain committed to working with my colleagues to build on this progress. As we continue to fight for a better future for our communities and planet, I am thankful for the leadership and partnership of LCV, whose advocacy has helped make these once-in-a-generation investments possible.”
“Following the most productive Congress in history for climate action, 2023 was not only the hottest year on record, it was one of the least productive legislative years ever because of MAGA House Republicans’ extreme leadership,” said LCV Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “The last Congress showed that transformational change that works for both our communities and our planet is possible when our elected leaders come together to pass meaningful legislation that will tackle the climate crisis and environmental injustice. In 2023, the near record number of House votes included underscores that the new House Republican majority did the bidding of Big Polluters and sought to undo the Biden-Harris administration’s historic leadership on climate change. We appreciate our allies in the House who consistently opposed these attacks and, thanks to champions in the Senate and the President’s steadfast leadership, these attempts to undermine the historic affordable clean energy plan were unsuccessful.”
The 2023 Scorecard includes 36 votes in the House several of which were messaging amendments offered on major funding bills. The Senate in contrast approved 69 lifetime federal judges with exceptional environmental records.
The full delegation’s scores for 2023 are:
Senator Budd – 6 percent
Senator Tillis – 0 percent
Representative Davis – 83 percent
Representative Ross – 100 percent
Representative Murphy – 6 percent
Representative Foushee – 100 percent
Representative Fox – 0 percent
Representative Manning – 97 percent
Representative Rouzer – 0 percent
Representative Bishop– 0 percent
Representative Hudson – 0 percent
Representative McHenry – 0 percent
Representative Edwards – 6 percent
Representative Adams – 100 percent
Representative Nickel – 97 percent
Representative Jackson– 100 percent
LCV has published a National Environmental Scorecard every Congress since 1970. The Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from more than 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who selected the key votes on which members of Congress should be scored. LCV scores votes on the most important issues of the year, including energy, climate change, environmental justice, public health, public lands and wildlife conservation, democracy, and spending for environmental programs. The votes included in the Scorecard presented members of Congress with a real choice. Their votes distinguished which legislators are working for environmental protection. More information on individual votes and the Scorecard archive can be found at scorecard.lcv.org.
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