News

Press Release

February 28, 2023

Contact: Liz Deering, liz@conservationminnesota.org

League of Conservation Voters Releases National Scorecard for Minnesota’s Delegation

Minneapolis, MN—Today, Conservation Minnesota Voter Center released the Minnesota delegation’s scores for the League of Conservation Voters’ 2022 National Environmental Scorecard, highlighting the actions of many of our state’s leaders to protect our environment and build a clean energy future— a few state representatives, however, failed to exhibit this leadership. Since 1970, LCV’s Scorecard has been the primary yardstick for evaluating the environmental records of members of Congress. You can  download a PDF in English, a PDF in Spanish , and view the Scorecard in both languages at scorecard.lcv.org.

2022 was the best year ever for climate action in Congress, with the passage of the landmark Inflation Reduction Act that invests roughly $369 billion in advancing clean energy, creating good jobs, and fighting climate change and environmental injustice. Every Democrat in our state’s delegation came together to make the country’s first transformational climate law a reality. Unfortunately, this law became the first time in history that Congress passed transformational clean air and water legislation without bipartisan support.

“We are proud to have representatives that will stand up for our state’s health and environment,” said Conservation Minnesota Voter Center Executive Director Paul Austin. “Senator Tina Smith worked tirelessly to ensure Congress implemented a plan to build a clean energy economy. We know the work is not done. The future of our planet and our democracy are at stake. Minnesota is already building on this tremendous success by passing the 100% carbon-free by 2040 law and working to secure our share of federal climate funds. In addition, we applaud Senator Klobuchar and Representatives Craig, Phillips, McCollum, and Omar for their high lifetime and 2022 scores.”

“What a year of historic progress! In 2022, pro-environment majorities in the House and Senate showed the world what’s possible when leaders are committed to delivering the action on climate, clean energy, jobs and justice voters demand,” said LCV Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “In a year that saw more suffering from the climate crisis and more pain at the pump as oil and gas companies raised energy costs, environmental champions in Congress took transformative climate action to begin to insulate the US from volatile fossil fuel prices and build an affordable clean energy future. This year, we are all in to support the swift, effective, and equitable implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, work with Minnesota’s champions in Congress to continue to fight for popular action on climate and environmental justice and block attempts to roll back environmental safeguards, and support the Biden-Harris administration’s finalization of critical health and climate protections across the agencies.”

 The 2022 Scorecard includes 23 votes in the Senate and 19 votes in the House, with the vote on the IRA counting twice in both chambers.

The full delegation’s scores for 2022 are:

  • Senator Tina Smith: 96%

  • Senator Amy Klobuchar: 91%

  • Representative Jim Hagedorn: 0%

  • Representative Brad Finstad: 0%

  • Representative Angie Craig: 89%

  • Representative Dean Phillips: 95%

  • Representative Betty McCollum: 100%

  • Representative Ilhan Omar: 100%

  • Representative Tom Emmer: 5%

  • Representative Michelle Fischbach: 0%

  • Representative Pete Stauber: 5%

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. You can find more information on individual votes and the Scorecard archive at scorecard.lcv.org.

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