N.Y.’s Congressional Delegation Is a Mixed Bag When It Comes to Protecting Our Environment and Our Families’ Health

Media Contacts
Heather Leibowitz

Environment New York

New York, NY – Today, Environment New York released its federal scorecard evaluating how the New York congressional delegation has voted when it comes to supporting clean air and clean water and other environmental protections.

Heather Leibowitz, Director of Environment New York, released the following statement:

“If this were my spring report card, I’d be a little nervous to show it to my parents.

 “An average score of 68% for our congressional delegation means more than a few of our elected officials need to do more homework when it comes to protecting some of New York’s beloved mountains, rivers, and streams, as well as ensuring a healthy climate for our families.

“We had only 12 elected officials with a perfect 100% score. This included the following Members: Representatives Kathleen Rice (D-NY-4), Grace Meng (D-NY-6), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY-7), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-8), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Joseph Crowley (D-NY-14), Jose Serrano (D-NY-15), Nita Lowey (D-NY-17), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Brian Higgins (D-NY-26), as well as Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). Their leadership here in New York and in Washington, D.C., is much appreciated.

“But we also had some real failing grades from Representatives, including Lee Zeldin (R-NY-1) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23), who failed to vote to protect our air and water.

“Overall this has been a disturbing spring when it came to Congress standing up for our families’ health and our environment.  The average score was 47% for the U.S. Senators and 38% for members of the U.S. House of Representatives.  In fact, some have called this the most anti-environmental Congress we’ve ever seen.

“New York’s congressional delegation is a real mix of leaders and laggards when it comes to our air and water and families’ health. Here’s hoping over the course of this term more of our delegation will become strong and effective leaders when it comes to supporting the core environmental values so many of us share.”