The Anti-Environment Record of the 112th House of Representatives
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Last Updated November 14, 2012
Database of Anti-Environment Votes in the 112th Congress
Committee on Energy and Commerce, Democratic Staff
In the 112th Congress, the House of Representatives voted 317 times to block action to address climate change, to halt efforts to reduce air and water pollution, to undermine protections for public lands and coastal areas, and to weaken the protection of the environment in other ways.
Click here for a report released by the Democratic staff of the Energy and Commerce. See below for a searchable database of the anti-environment votes.
Total Anti-Environment Votes Under GOP House Majority in the 112th Congress:
317
Votes targeted at the Environmental Protection Agency: 145
- Votes to block actions that prevent pollution: 137
- Votes targeted at the Department of Energy: 55
- Votes to defund or repeal clean energy initiatives: 57
- Votes to promote offshore drilling: 47
Votes to dismantle the Clean Air Act: 95
- Votes targeted at the Department of the Interior: 81
- Votes to undermine protections for public lands and wilderness: 67
- Votes to block actions that address climate change: 53
- Votes to dismantle the Clean Water Act: 38
| Title | Sponsor | Statutes | Agencies | Description | Vote Date | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H.R. 3409 | Johnson (R-OH) |
Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act |
Department of Interior Environmental Protection Agency |
Guts the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act; blocks implementation of new vehicle tailpipe emission standards; blocks EPA from taking any action to address climate change; blocks efforts to ensure safe disposal of coal ash; and blocks EPA from cleaning up toxic mercury pollution from power plants. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
09/21/2012 | Final Passage |
Passed 233-175 |
| H.R. 3409 | Waxman (D-CA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Strikes language in the bill that repeals EPA’s scientific finding that carbon pollution endangers the public health and welfare of current and future generations. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
09/21/2012 | H.Amdt. 1485 |
Defeated 178-229 |
| H.R. 3409 | Kelly (R-PA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Requires Department of Transportation to complete a one-sided study on the safety and economic impacts of the new vehicle tailpipe standards; prohibits consultation with EPA and the California Air Resources Board. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
09/21/2012 | H.Amdt. 1486 |
Passed 242-168 |
| H.R. 3409 | Markey (D-MA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Allows EPA to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if such action will reduce the demand for oil. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
09/21/2012 | H.Amdt. 1487 |
Defeated 164-246 |
| H.R. 3409 | Flake (R-AZ) and Berg (R-ND) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Limits EPA’s ability to provide clean air protections if states fail to act; eliminates EPA’s authority to ensure minimum levels of control for pollution that harms health and visibility in national parks. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
09/21/2012 | H.Amdt. 1494 |
Passed 228-183 |
| H.R. 3409 | Gosar (R-AZ) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Prohibits EPA from requiring the Navajo Generating Station to reduce pollution to protect scenic views in the Grand Canyon and other national parks, if such requirement would affect coal-based employment or revenues. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
09/21/2012 | H.Amdt. 1495 |
Passed 226-181 |
| H.R. 3409 | Capps (D-CA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Prohibits the bill from nullifying landmark vehicle pollution control and fuel efficiency standards for 2017 to 2025 model year vehicles. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
09/21/2012 | Motion to Recommit |
Defeated 173-233 |
| H.R. 3409 | Harris (R-MD) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Discourages EPA from using peer-reviewed and independent scientific research on the health impacts of exposure to air pollution by conditioning its use on public disclosure of all underlying data, even if the data is privately-held, personal or confidential. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
09/20/2012 | H.Amdt. 1489 |
Passed Voice Vote |
| H.R. 4078 | Griffin (R-AR) |
Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Diesel Emission Reduction Act Endangered Species Act Energy Independence and Security Act Environmental Pollution Control Act Equal Access to Justice Act Magnuson-Stevens Act Marine Mammal Protection Act Migratory Bird Treaty Act National Environmental Policy Act Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Safe Drinking Water Act Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act |
Army Corps of Engineers Department of Agriculture Department of Energy Department of Homeland Security Department of Interior Department of State Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Energy Regulatory Commission National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
Blocks significant regulations to protect public health and the environment unless the unemployment rate falls below 6%. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
07/26/2012 | Final Passage |
Passed 245-172 |
| H.R. 4078 | McKinley (R-WV) |
Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Diesel Emission Reduction Act Endangered Species Act Energy Independence and Security Act Environmental Pollution Control Act Equal Access to Justice Act Magnuson-Stevens Act Marine Mammal Protection Act Migratory Bird Treaty Act National Environmental Policy Act Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Safe Drinking Water Act Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act |
Army Corps of Engineers Department of Agriculture Department of Energy Department of Homeland Security Department of Interior Department of State Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Energy Regulatory Commission National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
Blocks any regulatory action that would cost $50 million or more, without regard to the benefits. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
07/26/2012 | H.Amdt.1459 |
Passed 240-178 |
| H.R. 4480 | Gardner (R-CO) |
Clean Air Act National Environmental Policy Act Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act |
Department of Interior Environmental Protection Agency |
Weakens Clean Air Act protections; blocks EPA air quality rules; opens up new onshore and offshore lands to drilling with fewer environmental safeguards. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
06/21/2012 | Final Passage |
Passed 248 - 163 |
| H.R. 4480 | Waxman (D-CA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Prevents any delay of EPA rules that prevent asthma attacks, heart attacks, cancer, birth defects, neurological damage, premature death, or other serious harms to human health. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
06/21/2012 | H.Amdt. 1296 |
Defeated 164 - 249 |
| H.R. 4480 | Green (D-TX) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Strikes provision reversing 40 years of clean air policy by requiring EPA to determine what level of ozone pollution is “safe” based upon industry costs. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
06/21/2012 | H.Amdt. 1298 |
Defeated 174 - 244 |
| H.R. 4480 | Rush (D-IL) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Nullifies provisions in the bill blocking EPA rules and rewriting the Clean Air Act if the Energy Information Administration determines that Title II of the bill would not lower gasoline prices or create jobs in the United States within 10 years. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
06/21/2012 | H.Amdt. 1300 |
Defeated 164-255 |
| H.R. 4480 | Capps (D-CA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Nullifies provisions requiring a study and delaying EPA air quality rules if the Secretary of Energy determines that the study is infeasible or would be unreliable. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
06/21/2012 | H.Amdt. 1311 |
Defeated 162 - 254 |
| H.R. 4480 | Terry (R-NE) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Allows EPA to waive certain fuel requirements in a geographic area when there is a problem with distribution or delivery of fuel or fuel additives. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
06/20/2012 | H.Amdt. 1299 |
Passed Voice Vote |
| H.R. 4348 | Mica (R-FL) |
Clean Air Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act |
Environmental Protection Agency Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
Approves the Keystone XL pipeline without environmental review of the actual route; bars EPA from regulating hazardous coal ash; and guts environmental and air quality review of new transportation projects. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
04/18/2012 | Final Passage |
Passed 293-127 |
| H.R. 4348 | Ribble (R-WI) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Weakens environmental review of new transportation projects and undermines Clean Air Act requirements designed to ensure that new transportation projects are consistent with air quality goals. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
04/18/2012 | H.Amdt. 1014 |
Passed 255 - 165 |
| H.R. 3630 | Camp (R-MI) |
Clean Air Act National Environmental Policy Act |
Department of State Environmental Protection Agency |
Nullifies EPA rules that require industrial boilers and incinerators to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants; forces approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline and blocks environmental review of any route changes Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/13/2011 | Final Passage |
Passed 234 - 193 |
| H.R. 1633 | Noem (R-SD) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Blocks action under the Clean Air Act to address the risks of particulate matter from most sources Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/08/2011 | Final Passage |
Passed 268 - 150 |
| H.R. 1633 | Rush (D-IL) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Removes Clean Air Act exemption for particulate pollution from mines, smelters, cement kilns, and other industrial sources Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/08/2011 | H.Amdt. 901 |
Defeated 150 - 255 |
| H.R. 1633 | Christensen (D-VI) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Restores EPA authority to reduce particulate pollution if state and local laws are inadequate to protect public health Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/08/2011 | H.Amdt. 902 |
Defeated 159 - 250 |
| H.R. 1633 | Markey (D-MA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Removes Clean Air Act exemption for particulate pollution containing arsenic or other heavy metals Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/08/2011 | H.Amdt. 904 |
Defeated 165 - 249 |
| H.R. 1633 | Waxman (D-CA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Removes Clean Air Act exemption for particulate pollution from mining Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/08/2011 | H.Amdt. 905 |
Defeated 158 - 257 |
| H.R. 1633 | DeGette (D-CO) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Preserves EPA authority to issue and enforce Clean Air Act regulations for particulate emissions of cadmium, lead, and asbestos Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/08/2011 | Motion to Recommit |
Defeated 166 - 252 |
| H.R. 10 | Davis (R-KY) |
Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Diesel Emission Reduction Act Endangered Species Act Energy Independence and Security Act Environmental Pollution Control Act Equal Access to Justice Act Magnuson-Stevens Act Marine Mammal Protection Act Migratory Bird Treaty Act National Environmental Policy Act Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Safe Drinking Water Act Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act |
Army Corps of Engineers Department of Agriculture Department of Energy Department of Homeland Security Department of Interior Department of State Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Energy Regulatory Commission National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
Blocks any major rule that does not receive approval from both houses of Congress within 70 legislative days. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/07/2011 | Final Passage |
Passed 241 - 184 |
| H.R. 10 | McCarthy (D-NY) |
Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Safe Drinking Water Act |
Environmental Protection Agency |
Ensures that rules relating to food safety, workplace safety, air quality, consumer product safety, and water quality are not covered by the bill's provisions blocking rules that do not receive approval from both houses of Congress within 70 legislative days. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/07/2011 | H.Amdt. 898 |
Defeated 177 - 246 |
| H.R. 3010 | Smith (R-TX) |
Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Diesel Emission Reduction Act Endangered Species Act Energy Independence and Security Act Environmental Pollution Control Act Equal Access to Justice Act Magnuson-Stevens Act Marine Mammal Protection Act Migratory Bird Treaty Act National Environmental Policy Act Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Safe Drinking Water Act Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act |
Army Corps of Engineers Department of Agriculture Department of Energy Department of Homeland Security Department of Interior Department of State Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Energy Regulatory Commission National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
Imposes significant new hurdles to regulation and replaces protective standards in the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other statutes with a requirement to adopt the least costly alternative. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/02/2011 | Final Passage |
Passed 253 - 167 |
| H.R. 3010 | Moore (D-WI) |
Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Diesel Emission Reduction Act Endangered Species Act Energy Independence and Security Act Environmental Pollution Control Act Equal Access to Justice Act Magnuson-Stevens Act Marine Mammal Protection Act Migratory Bird Treaty Act National Environmental Policy Act Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Safe Drinking Water Act Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act |
Army Corps of Engineers Department of Agriculture Department of Energy Department of Homeland Security Department of Interior Department of State Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Energy Regulatory Commission National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
Requires agencies to take effects on vulnerable subpopulations into account Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/02/2011 | H.Amdt. 888 |
Defeated 187 - 232 |
| H.R. 3010 | Connolly (D-VA) |
Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Safe Drinking Water Act |
Environmental Protection Agency |
Ensures that rules relating to food safety, workplace safety, air quality, consumer product safety, and water quality are not covered by the bill's provisions imposing significant hurdles to agency rule-making. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/02/2011 | H.Amdt. 891 |
Defeated 171 - 242 |
| H.R. 527 | Smith (R-TX) |
Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Diesel Emission Reduction Act Endangered Species Act Energy Independence and Security Act Environmental Pollution Control Act Equal Access to Justice Act Magnuson-Stevens Act Marine Mammal Protection Act Migratory Bird Treaty Act National Environmental Policy Act Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Safe Drinking Water Act Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act |
Army Corps of Engineers Department of Agriculture Department of Energy Department of Homeland Security Department of Interior Department of State Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Energy Regulatory Commission National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
Requires additional analyses, including analyses of rules and guidance with only indirect economic effects on small businesses, as an impediment to required agency action. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/01/2011 | Final Passage |
Passed 263 - 159 |
| H.R. 527 | Cohen (D-TN) |
Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Safe Drinking Water Act |
Environmental Protection Agency |
Ensures that rules relating to food safety, workplace safety, air quality, consumer product safety, and water quality are not covered by the bill's provisions blocking or hindering regulatory action. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/01/2011 | H.Amdt. 884 |
Defeated 171 - 248 |
| H.R. 2250 | Griffith (R-VA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Nullifies EPA rules that require industrial boilers and incinerators to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants; threatens EPA's ability to issue replacement standards; and delays reductions in toxic air pollution from these sources until 2018 at the earliest Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/13/2011 | Final Passage |
Passed 275 - 142 |
| H.R. 2250 | Castor (D-FL) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Provides that EPA shall not delay action to reduce air pollution from waste incinerators that are within five miles of any school, day care center, playground, or hospital with a maternity ward or neo-natal unit Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/13/2011 | Motion to Recommit |
Defeated 170 - 246 |
| H.R. 2250 | Markey (D-MA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Provides that EPA shall not delay actions to reduce emissions from waste incinerators and boilers if such emissions are increasing the risk of cancer Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/11/2011 | H.Amdt. 827 |
Defeated 166 - 252 |
| H.R. 2250 | Schakowsky (D-IL) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Adds finding that mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can damage brain development in infants Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/11/2011 | H.Amdt. 829 |
Defeated 169 - 249 |
| H.R. 2250 | Ellison (D-MN) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Provides that EPA can take actions to reduce emissions from waste incinerators and boilers earlier than allowed under the bill Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/11/2011 | H.Amdt. 830 |
Defeated 154 - 261 |
| H.R. 2250 | Welch (D-VT) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Adds finding that the American people are exposed to mercury through fish consumption Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/11/2011 | H.Amdt. 831 |
Defeated 169 - 249 |
| H.R. 2250 | Jackson Lee (D-TX) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Provides that EPA shall not delay actions to reduce emissions from waste incinerators and boilers longer than 3 years Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/11/2011 | H.Amdt. 832 |
Defeated 156 - 262 |
| H.R. 2250 | Connolly (D-VA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Provides that EPA shall not delay actions to reduce emissions from waste incinerators and boilers if such emissions are increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular disease Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/11/2011 | H.Amdt.826 |
Defeated 168 - 250 |
| H.R. 2681 | Cohen (D-TN) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Requires EPA to take into account reductions in absences from work due to respiratory illnesses when proposing a new compliance date Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/06/2011 | H.Amdt. 815 |
Defeated 172-248 |
| H.R. 2681 | Keating (D-MA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Replaces the indefinite extension of compliance dates in the bill with a provision allowing EPA to provide an additional year for compliance if the source can demonstrate a compelling reason Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/06/2011 | H.Amdt. 816 |
Defeated 162 - 257 |
| H.R. 2250 | Waxman (D-CA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Provides that EPA shall not delay actions to reduce emissions from waste incinerators or industrial boilers at chemical facilities, oil refineries, or large manufacturing facilities if these emissions are harming brain development or causing learning disabilities in infants or children. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/06/2011 | H.Amdt. 820 |
Defeated 167 - 243 |
| H.R. 2250 | Rush (D-IL) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Provides that the bill shall not be interpreted to supersede the requirements of sections 112 or 129 of the Clean Air Act, which require reductions in toxic emissions from industrial boilers and incinerators Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/06/2011 | H.Amdt. 821 |
Defeated 156 - 242 |
| H.R. 2250 | Hahn (D-CA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Provides that EPA's regulations reducing toxic emissions shall stay in effect for any pollution source located in any of the 10 metropolitan areas of the U.S. with the worst air quality Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/06/2011 | H.Amdt. 822 |
Defeated 151 - 255 |
| H.R. 2250 | Doyle (D-PA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Replaces the indefinite extension of compliance dates in the bill with a provision allowing EPA to provide an additional year for compliance if the source can demonstrate a compelling reason Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/06/2011 | H.Amdt. 824 |
Defeated 147 - 251 |
| H.R. 2681 | Capps (D-CA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Provides that EPA shall not delay action to reduce air pollution from cement kilns that are within five miles of any school, day care center, playground, or hospital with a maternity ward or neo-natal unit Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/06/2011 | Motion to Recommit |
Defeated 176 - 247 |
| H.R. 2681 | Sullivan (R-OK) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Nullifies EPA rules that require cement kilns to reduce their emissions of toxic air pollutants; threatens EPA's ability to issue replacement standards; and delays reductions in toxic air pollution from cement kilns unti 2018 at the earliest. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/05/2011 | Final Passage |
Passed 262 - 181 |
| H.R. 2681 | Waxman (D-CA) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Provides that EPA shall not delay actions to reduce emissions from a cement kiln if those emissions are harming brain development or causing learning disabilities in infants or children. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/05/2011 | H.Amdt. 802 |
Defeated 166 - 246 |
| H.R. 2681 | Rush (D-IL) | Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Provides that the bill shall not be interpreted to superscede the requirements of section 112 of the Clean Air Act, which requires reductions of toxic emissions from cement kilns Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/05/2011 | H.Amdt. 803 |
Defeated 162 - 251 |