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. 5326 | Cravaack (R-MN) |
Prohibits the National Science Foundation from implementing the Climate Change Education program. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
05/09/2012 | H.Amdt. 1088 |
Passed 238 - 188 |
||
| H.R. 5326 | Denham (R-CA) | Magnuson-Stevens Act | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
Blocks funding for restoration and salmon repopulation in the San Joaquin River Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
05/09/2012 | H.Amdt. 1091 |
Passed Voice Vote |
| H.R. 5326 | Harris (R-MD) | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
Reduces funding for NOAA's Climate Portal program. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
05/08/2012 | H.Amdt. 1045 |
Passed 219 - 189 |
|
| H.R. 5326 | Grimm (R-NY) | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
Reduces funding for NOAA's operations and climate research programs. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
05/08/2012 | H.Amdt. 1047 |
Passed 209 - 199 |
|
| H.R. 5326 | Broun (R-GA) | Marine Mammal Protection Act |
Reduces funding for the Marine Mammal Commission by 6%. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
05/08/2012 | H.Amdt. 1061 |
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. 4348 | McKinley (R-WV) | Resource Conservation and Recovery Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Bars EPA from regulating coal ash as a hazardous waste, limits EPA's authority to regulate coal ash a solid waste, and requires EPA to defer to state coal ash Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
04/18/2012 | H.Amdt. 1015 |
Passed Voice Vote |
| H.R. 4089 | Miller (R-FL) |
Marine Mammal Protection Act Toxic Substances Control Act |
Department of Interior Environmental Protection Agency |
Opens up wilderness areas and national monuments to hunting and recreational shooting; bars EPA from regulating lead in ammunition and sportfishing equipment under the Toxic Substances Control Act; allows import of polar bear trophies. Floor debate: | |
04/17/2012 | Final Passage |
Passed 274-146 |
| H.Con.Res. 112 | Ryan (R-WI) |
Department of Energy Department of Interior Environmental Protection Agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
Outlines drastic budget cuts for environmental protection, clean energy, coastal protection, and climate programs. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
03/29/2012 | Final Passage |
Passed 228 - 191 |
|
| H.R. 2842 | Tipton (R-CO) | National Environmental Policy Act | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
Exempts small conduit hydropower development from NEPA Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
03/07/2012 | Final Passage |
Passed 265 - 154 |
| H.R. 2842 | Napolitano (D-CA) | National Environmental Policy Act | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
Strikes a NEPA exemption for small conduit hydropower Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
03/07/2012 | H. Amdt. 966 |
Defeated 168 - 253 |
| H.R. 1837 | Nunes (R-CA) |
Clean Water Act Endangered Species Act |
Department of Interior |
Blocks the Endangered Species Act for operation of the Central Valley Project and the California State Water Project; removes protections for fish from the process of approving water transfers out of the San Joaquin delta; and prohibits the imposition of mitigation measures or environmental restoration fees in transfer agreements. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/29/2012 | Final Passage |
Passed 246 - 175 |
| H.R. 1837 | McNerney (D-CA) | Department of Interior |
Blocks provisions from taking effect unless it is demonstrated that they will not harm drinking water supplies for California's Delta region. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/29/2012 | H.Amdt. 959 |
Defeated 178 - 242 |
|
| H.R. 1837 | McNerney (D-CA) | Department of Interior |
Blocks provisions from taking effect unless it is demonstrated that they will not harm water quality in the San Joaquin Delta. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/29/2012 | H.Amdt. 960 |
Defeated 177 - 243 |
|
| H.R. 1837 | Garamendi (D-CA) | Department of Interior |
Strikes provisions of the bill making protection of fish discretionary and transferring water out of the San Joaquin delta despite concerns about impacts on salmon and other species. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/29/2012 | H.Amdt. 963 |
Defeated 178 - 247 |
|
| H.R. 1837 | Markey (D-MA) |
Clean Water Act Endangered Species Act |
Department of Interior |
Strikes provisions exempting the Central Valley Project from state and federal laws including the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/29/2012 | H.Amdt. 964 |
Defeated 180 - 244 |
| H.R. 3408 | Lamborn (R-CO) |
Endangered Species Act National Environmental Policy Act Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act |
Department of Interior |
Directs DOI to issue offshore oil and gas leases along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic coasts, regardless of a state's objection; blocks NEPA and Endangered Species Act review of oil shale projects; requires issuance of oil shale leases. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/16/2012 | Final Passage |
Passed 237 - 187 |
| H.R. 3408 | Thompson (D-CA) | Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act | Department of Interior |
Strikes provision requiring new oil and gas drilling off the coast of northern California. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/16/2012 | H.Amdt. 944 |
Defeated 167 - 253 |
| H.R. 3408 | Hanabusa (D-HI) | Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act | Department of Interior |
Requires companies drilling offshore to meet minimum standards for well casing, cementing, and blowout preventers. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/16/2012 | H.Amdt. 946 |
Defeated 189 - 228 |
| H.R. 3408 | Hastings (R-WA) | National Environmental Policy Act | Department of Interior |
Blocks NEPA review of renewable energy projects on federal lands Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/16/2012 | H.Amdt. 947 |
Passed 250 - 171 |
| H.R. 3408 | Labrador (R-ID) | National Environmental Policy Act | Department of Interior |
Blocks NEPA review of geothermal generation test projects Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/16/2012 | H.Amdt. 950 |
Passed 244 - 177 |
| H.R. 3408 | Castor (D-FL) | Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act | Department of Interior |
Blocks issuance of oil and gas leases within 5 miles of the Great Lakes or Florida Everglades Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/16/2012 | Motion to Recommit |
Defeated 176 - 241 |
| H.R. 3408 | Eshoo (D-CA) |
Department of Transportation Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to review a pending study on the risks of shipping of tar sands crude before issuance of a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/15/2012 | H.Amdt. 932 |
Defeated 173 - 249 |
|
| H.R. 3408 | Polis (D-CO) | Department of Interior |
Strikes a requirement to issue leases for development of oil shale Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/15/2012 | H.Amdt. 936 |
Defeated 160 - 265 |
|
| H.R. 3408 | Capps (D-CA) | Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act | Department of Interior |
Strikes provision requiring new oil and gas drilling off the coast of southern California. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/15/2012 | H.Amdt. 938 |
Defeated 160 - 267 |
| H.R. 3408 | Bishop (D-NY) | Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act | Department of Interior |
Strikes provision requiring new oil and gas drilling off the coast of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Maine. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
02/15/2012 | H.Amdt. 940 |
Defeated 169 - 257 |
| 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. 3010 | Nadler (D-NY) | Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
Exempts actions taken by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under the Atomic Energy Act Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
12/02/2011 | H.Amdt. 892 |
Defeated 174 - 247 |
|
| 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. 2838 | Lobiondo (R-NJ) | Clean Water Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Blocks states from regulating the discharge of ballast water to control invasive species; restricts EPA's ability to limit discharge of coal ash from vessels into the Great Lakes. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
11/15/2011 | Final Passage |
Passed Voice Vote |
| H.R. 2838 | Bishop (D-NY) | Clean Water Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Allows states to set more protective requirements for ballast water discharges in their state resource waters. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
11/04/2011 | H.Ambdt. 861 |
Defeated 174 - 255 |
| H.R. 2838 | Slaughter (D-NY) | Clean Water Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Strikes the language that preempts states from preventing the spread of invasive species by regulating the discharge of ballast water. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
11/04/2011 | H.Amdt. 862 |
Defeated 161 - 237 |
| H.R. 2838 | Huizenga (R-MI) | Clean Water Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Blocks EPA from revising permits for a vessel that currently discharges coal ash into the Great Lakes. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
11/04/2011 | H.Amdt. 863 |
Passed Voice Vote |
| H.R. 1904 | Gosar (R-AZ) | National Environmental Policy Act | Department of Interior |
Transfers public lands with significant cultural, historical, archeological and recreational value to private ownership for mineral mining; waives NEPA requirements for environmental impact analysis of the transfer and mining activity Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/26/2011 | Final Passage |
Passed 235 - 186 |
| H.R. 1904 | Markey (D-MA) |
Department of Agriculture Department of Interior |
Requires payment of royalties for copper extracted from federal lands Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/26/2011 | H.Amdt. 844 |
Defeated 173 - 238 |
|
| H.R. 2594 | Mica (R-FL) |
Prohibits U.S. airlines from complying with the European Union’s requirements to address carbon pollution. Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/24/2011 | Final Passage |
Passed Voice Vote |
||
| H.R. 2273 | McKinley (R-WV) | Resource Conservation and Recovery Act | Environmental Protection Agency |
Bars EPA from regulating coal ash as a hazardous waste, limits EPA’s authority to regulate coal ash as a solid waste, and requires EPA to defer to state coal ash disposal programs Floor debate: TEXT | VIDEO |
10/14/2011 | Final Passage |
Passed 267 - 144 |