The record numbers of voters who turned out for the 1992 elections were
generally more concerned with "greenbacks" than with "green
thumbs." Nevertheless, though the economy took center stage, more candidates
than ever before included the environment in some part of their campaign
platforms. Environmentalists and many mainstream voters alike heralded the
influx of pro-environment legislators, not the least of whom is Vice President
Gore. Profiles of the freshman class of the 103rd Congress appear in The
Green Book prepared by the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) in conjunction
with the Sierra Club. The Green Book focuses specifically on the
new members' voting records and political attitudes regarding environmental
issues and is composed mainly from responses of members to an LCV questionnaire.
These profiles provide a strong indication of where environmental leadership
may come from in the 103rd Congress.
Of 12 freshman senators, examination of the profiles indicates that 3
are most likely to emerge as strong leaders on environmental and health
issues. The first and most assured of these is Barbara Boxer (D-California),
who together with Dianne Feinstein (D-California), make up the first all-female
Senate delegation from the same state. Boxer is praised in particular by
environmentalists for her opposition to offshore drilling and for the her
position on the creation of a California marine sanctuary. Boxer's commitment
to reform will undoubtedly lead to the introduction of new legislation.
Likewise, Feinstein, the former mayor of San Francisco, is expected to be
extremely active in pushing environmental concerns. As a gubernatorial candidate,
Feinstein pledged, among other things, to uphold the California Clean Air
Act, including commitments to producing more gasoline-efficient cars and
to clean up the state's 345 hazardous waste sites. Feinstein opposes offshore
drilling and supports pesticide reforms.
A third new senator, considered one of the strongest environmentalists
of the freshman Senate class, is Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin). Feingold,
a Wisconsin state senator since 1983, supports efforts to require protection
for ancient forests and has stated, ". . .I believe this approach recognizes
that protection of our resources and economic viability are not mutually
exclusive even in the short term, and that in the long term our physical
and economic health may even depend on such measures."
The remaining Senate freshman class is split between those who would
likely support most environmental legislation, with some reservations, and
those who are not likely to champion environmental efforts, especially those
that conflict with the interests of business. Of the latter group, environmentalists
can expect the least amount of support from Lauch Faircloth (R-North Carolina),
a businessman and farmer. A pro-business legislator, Faircloth has fought
ardently for major industrial growth, including oil refineries. His appointment
to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will provide a key
platform for his views.
The Senate hardly has a monopoly on rising environmental stars in the
103rd Congress. Along with record numbers of women and minorities, the Americans
voted for representatives whose environmental consciences reflect the growing
environmental awareness of their constituencies. Leading the House freshman
class in commitment to environmental and health concerns are 10 men and
women expected to vigorously propose and promote legislation to protect
the environment and human health.
Karan English (D-Arizona) As a state senator, English chaired
the Environment Committee and served on the Education and Transportation
Committees. She generated legislation imposing a "cradle-to-grave"
approach to the state's responsibility in transporting, treating, and disposing
of wastes and establishing comprehensive regulations for handling hazardous
waste in general.
Jane Harman (D-California) Harman, a corporate lawyer and former
environmental legislative aide for U. S. Senator Tunney in the 1970s and
former deputy secretary to the cabinet in the Carter Administration, has
taken a pro-environment stance on issues such as offshore drilling, air
pollution, noise pollution, and wetlands conservation. She was quoted during
the campaign as saying, " . . . there's no conflict between a clean
environment and a healthy economy."
Lynn Schenk (D-California) As chair of the Environmental Committee
of the San Diego Unified Port District, Schenk has fought to control pollution
of the San Diego Bay and preserve natural resources. She has been a strong
supporter of funding for the Environmental Health Coalition and has declared,
"The urban runoff from city streets into our waterways must be controlled,
offshore drilling must not be tolerated, toxic hot spots must be mitigated,
and air and water quality must be enhanced."
Peter Deutsch (D-Florida) Deutsch represents one of the most environmentally
sensitive areas in the country. He considers himself a "protector of
the Everglades" and is said to be a good addition to the Committee
on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Cynthia McKinney (D-Georgia) As the representative of a newly
constructed minority district, McKinney has introduced a resolution to end
environmental racism in Georgia and will be likely to propose similar legislation
on a national level. McKinney's view is that "The environment is a
public health concern."
Maurice Hinchey (D-New York) Hinchey is heralded as an environmental
star of the freshman class. In the New York State Assembly he chaired the
Environmental Conservation Committee for 12 years and served on the Joint
Legislative Commission on Solid Waste Management. His platform consisted
of four key points--economy, health care, education, and the environment--and
he is expected to push for legislation in all of these areas.
Mel Watt (D-North Carolina) Representative of the first urban
minority district in North Carolina, Watt has expressed great interest in
urban environmental issues and has pledged to be an aggressive advocate
of policies that promote mass transit, conservation, and recycling programs.
As a state senator Watt was outspoken on the issue of "right to know"
legislation which would have required product labeling for the protection
of employees.
Paul McHale (D-Pennsylvania) McHale has earned tremendous respect
for his leadership on environmental issues in the state legislature. According
to the Green Book, he "voted 100 percent on environmental issues
in the General Assembly." Expert on public lands issues, McHale is
expected to be at the forefront of environmental legislation.
Karen Shepherd (D-Utah) Shepherd is known as an environmentalist
and has served as chair of the Utah State Energy Council Environmental Subcommittee
and as a member of the Utah State Air Quality Control Board. She is expected
to fight for increasing emissions standards, and she advocates reform of
federal Superfund programs.
Mike Kreidler (D-Washington) In 1991-1992, both the Washington
Environmental Political Action Committee and the Sierra Club gave Kreidler
100 percent ratings on his environmental record. He is a leader on health
care issues and serves as chair of the Parks and Ecology Committee. Kreidler
is expected to lead floor debates on environmental issues.
Just as in the Senate, these environmentally minded representatives have
their counterpoints on environmental issues. Opinions expressed by some
new members of Congress are indicators of the controversy and debate which
are sure to surround much environmental legislation. William Baker (R-California)
has said about Environmental Impact Statements, "How long does it take
to survey all the fishies swimming around the bridge to ask them if they'd
mind moving 100 yards or so downstream?" The campaign literature of
Richard Pombo (R-California) echoes the pro-business attitude of Baker and
many others who believe environmental regulation is often at odds with economic
productivity: "[Baker is] concerned about the onerous burden of regulations,
taxes and restrictions that constrain the development of a healthy business
environment."
Although the economy may have been the issue that propelled many of the
new members into Congress, the environment may well be the issue that keeps
them there. As Vice President Gore put it, "We are at an environmental
boiling point right now." In the 103rd Congress things are sure to
get hot.
Kimberly G. Thigpen
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Last Update: August 31, 1998