League of Conservation Voters Releases National Environmental Scorecard For Georgia’s Delegation
Atlanta, GA – Last week, Georgia Conservation Voters (GCV) released the Georgia 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 here, in Spanish here, and online in both languages 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, many in our state’s delegation like Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, 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.
“Georgia State residents should be proud to have leaders who stand up against Big Polluters and attacks on our environment,” said GCV Executive DirectorBrionté McCorkle. “Despite the gridlock and chaos in Congress today, we know Senators Warnock and Ossoff are working every day to protect our air and water, and build a clean energy future for Georgians. Unfortunately, representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rich McCormick continue to use their votes to cater to Big Polluters and right-wing extremists. Here at home, we still have to pass better legislation to ensure we implement and invest federal dollars so it benefits every community. Georgians must hold Green and McCormick accountable for their putting polluters over our communities and ensure Warnock and Ossoff 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.”
For the second year, the 2023 Scorecard highlights the leadership of the Tri-Caucus, including the history-making election of House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries as the first member of the Tri-Caucus elected to lead either chamber. Leadership of the Congressional Asian-Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) scored an average of 97% on the 2023 Scorecard. These champions in Congress led and supported many of the climate, conservation, environmental justice, and equitable democracy bills and initiatives in 2023, in addition to helping to educate constituents and connect communities to the transformational investments within the affordable clean energy plan.
The hike in energy costs, continued burning of fossil fuels, and lack of renewable energy sources in Georgia 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 Georgia.
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:
Senator Warnock – 100 percent
Senator Ossoff – 94 percent
Representative Buddy Carter -3 percent
Representative Sanford D. Bishop – 94 percent
Representative Drew A. Ferguson – 0 percent
Representative Hank Johnson – 100 percent
Representative Nikema Williams – 100 percent
Representative Rich McCormick – 0 percent
Representative Lucy McBath – 97 percent
Representative Austin Scott – 0 percent
Representative Andrew Clyde – 0 percent
Representative Mike Collins – 0 percent
Representative Barry Loudermilk 0 percent
Representative Rick Allen – 3 percent
Representative David Scott – 97 percent
Representative Marjorie Taylor Green – 3 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.