Contact Policy Director Jim DiPeso (253-740-2066) / Government Affairs Director David Jenkins (703-785-9570)

Scorecard Finds Improved GOP Performance in 2006

May 14, 2007

Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP) today released its second annual Congressional Scorecard, which shows a marked improvement in Republican lawmakers' voting records on environmental issues compared to 2005.

The scorecard, which rates only Republicans, is available online here.

"We are pleased to report that Republican members of Congress on average had a significantly better environmental voting record in 2006 than in 2005," said REP President Martha Marks.

"While one year does not constitute a trend, we are optimistic that the scores reflect real and positive change. I think more of our GOP leaders are beginning to understand that improving their environmental records will broaden their appeal with voters while embracing the traditionally conservative values of stewardship, efficiency, and protecting the inheritance of future generations," Marks said.

The average score of House Republicans improved from 14 percent in 2005 to 30 percent in 2006. The number scoring 50 percent or greater increased from 27 in 2005 to 39 in 2006. The Senate Republican average was the same both years at 13 percent, but in 2006 five senators scored above 50, compared to four in 2005.

This improvement comes as recent polling by Gallup News Service and Ayres, McHenry and Associates show that Republican voters support stronger environmental laws, curbing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing fossil fuels use.

Congressman Jim Saxton (NJ-3rd) achieved the highest score of 104* and was awarded the title of "Greenest Republican in Congress."

Saxton edged out six other House Republicans who achieved perfect scores of 100. They are Michael Castle (DE-At Large), Michael Ferguson (NJ-7th), Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2nd), and Christopher Shays (CT-4th), along with former Representatives Sherwood Boehlert (NY-24th) and Sue W. Kelly (NY-19th).

Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine was the high achiever in the Senate, with a score of 86. Other high achievers in the Senate included Susan Collins of Maine, who scored 79, and former Senator Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, who scored 71.

From 2005 to 2006, the most improved House member was Kelly, whose score rose from 29 to 100. Two other House members with dramatically improved scores were Ferguson, rising from 46 to 100, and C.W. "Bill" Young (FL-10th), whose score rose from 12 to 58.

In the Senate, Nevada's John Ensign was most improved. Between 2005 and 2006, his score rose from 13 to 64.

"We are proud of our Republican lawmakers who scored well. They are courageous environmental champions who are not afraid to stand up to party leaders and vote their convictions," Marks said.

"We have a strong core group of Republican lawmakers who are following in the footsteps of great GOP conservation leaders like Theodore Roosevelt, former Senator William Roth, and former Congressman John Saylor," said REP Government Affairs Director David Jenkins. "They are leaving an environmental legacy that will help keep America strong and prosperous."

Still, far too many Republicans had low scores. The lowest scoring member in the House was John Peterson (PA-5th), who scored minus 4. In the Senate, the low achiever was Pete Domenici, who scored minus 7. Former Representative and Majority Leader Tom DeLay (TX-22nd) was near the bottom with a score of 0.

"We hope that low scoring lawmakers will reflect on their records and rediscover the truly conservative principles that compel conservation and responsible stewardship," Jenkins said. "Only then will they come more in line with the wishes of rank-and-file Republicans on issues such as climate change and protecting our public lands and wildlife heritage."

"All leaders of our party should recognize that conservation and environmental protection are essential for keeping America healthy, prosperous, and secure," said REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso.

Unlike other scorecards that were rushed to press in advance of the November election, the REP scorecard reflects the complete 2006 session, and thus provides a full evaluation of the 109th Congress.

"We view our scorecard as an essential tool in tracking our party's environmental performance and as a measure of REP's progress toward its goal of restoring natural resource conservation and sound environmental protection as fundamental elements of the Republican Party's vision for America," said DiPeso.

* The REP Congressional Scorecard rates GOP lawmakers on a scale of 0 to 100. However, scores can fall below zero or exceed 100 based on credits or demerits received for significant non-voting actions demonstrating either positive or negative leadership on environmental issues.