League of Conservation Voters releases National Environmental Scorecard for Wisconsin’s congressional delegation

MADISON – Today, Wisconsin Conservation Voters released the Wisconsin 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 for download in English and Spanish 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, some in our state’s delegation like Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Mark Pocan, and Rep. Gwen Moore worked to fight back against attacks on our democracy and environmental protections unleashed by a chaotic MAGA Republican-led House that took hundreds of dangerous votes to cater to big polluters and the most extreme wing of their conference.

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, some actively worked against it. This type of Congressional gridlock and chaos created by MAGA extremists led to one of the least productive Congress’ ever.

“Wisconsinites should be proud to have leaders who stand up against big polluters and attacks on our environment,” said Executive Director Kerry Schumann. “Despite the gridlock and chaos in Congress today, we know Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Mark Pocan, and Rep. Gwen Moore are working every day to protect our air and water, build a clean energy future, and protect our democracy. Unfortunately, Sen. Ron Johnson, Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Rep. Bryan Steil, Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, Rep. Glenn Grothman, Rep. Tom Tiffany, and Rep. Mike Gallagher continue to use their votes to cater to big polluters and right-wing extremists. Here at home, we must hold those low scorers accountable for putting polluters over our communities and ensure Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Mark Pocan, and Rep. Gwen Moore continue to hold the line for us in Congress.”

“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 defense of our environment required an all-of-government approach that Congress helped deliver, despite relentless attempts by the fossil fuel industry and other entrenched interests to put their profits over Wisconsin. 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:

Sen. Tammy Baldwin – 100 percent
Sen. Ron Johnson – 0 percent
Rep. Mark Pocan – 100 percent
Rep. Gwen Moore – 97 percent
Rep. Derrick Van Orden – 14 percent
Rep. Bryan Steil – 0 percent
Rep. Scott Fitzgerald – 0 percent
Rep. Glenn Grothman – 0 percent
Rep. Tom Tiffany – 0 percent
Rep. Mike Gallagher – 0 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 and help distinguish which legislators are working for environmental protection. More information on individual votes and the Scorecard archive can be found at scorecard.lcv.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.