The League of Conservation Voters : Campaigns : Dirty Dozen

For the first time, the League of Conservation Voters has added a president and vice-president to their dirty dozen list. Also, the President, also for the first time, has received an “F” on their report card. And he claims to be a good steward.

“Through the “Dirty Dozen,”, LCV identifies those holding or seeking federal office – Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike – who consistently vote against the environment, as part of its ongoing effort to educate voters about voting records. LCV targets selected members of this list for independent campaigns in competitive races. Below are key votes and actions taken that illustrate each policy maker’s anti-environmental record.”

The group cited President Bush’s consistent anti-environmental record and his unabashed support for energy legislation representing a taxpayer giveaway to wealthy corporate interests. Vice President Cheney, whose secret Energy Task Force meetings helped formulate the legislation, and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), who is trying to force the bill through Congress are also included on the Dirty Dozen list.

“With President Bush and Vice President Cheney, Big Oil and Halliburton not only have a seat at the energy policy table, they own the chairs, the table and the entire building where the table sits,” said LCV president Deb Callahan. “By selling out our energy policy to the special interests, Bush and Cheney have given Americans a failed energy policy that has made our nation less secure. First, George Bush earned an “F” on our Presidential Report Card, now he is the first president ever voted a member of the ‘Dirty Dozen.’ His legacy will be unraveling 30 years of environmental progress.”

Ms. Callahan noted that the bulk of those on the 2004 “Dirty Dozen” list regularly vote on environmental issues in lockstep with the desires of Rep. DeLay, who in turn blindly follows the White Houe lead, no matter what the consequences to their constituents back at home.

“Tom DeLay’s Texas has one of the worst air quality problems in the nation. Rick Renzi’s Arizona constituents face tremendous clean water issues and Richard Burr takes thousands in campaign contributions from giant utilities after voting on energy legislation beneficial to the industry. This top-down disdain for the public good is only exceeded by their arrogance of power,” Ms. Callahan said. “In November, voters should remind the entire ‘Dirty Dozen’ who they should be working for.”