I believe we need to be good stewards of the environment and that we must protect our land, air, and water for our children and future generations. Climate change and sea level rise are real threats to Virginia and our nation, and I’ve taken active steps to address them.
As a strong defender of the environment, I take pride in earning numerous awards from major environmental groups, including the “Environmental Freedom” Award from Sierra Club Virginia and the “Legislative Hero” Award from the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. I am honored to hold endorsements from the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, Sierra Club, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
In Congress, I’m working to protect the public’s health and safety by prioritizing pro-environment legislation, like the Inflation Reduction Act – the most consequential piece of legislation Congress has ever passed to tackle the threat of climate change and promote clean energy. I am a member of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition, a group of House members dedicated to fighting climate change, protecting our air and water, and promoting renewable energy and environmental justice.
Climate
I have and will continue to stand firm against climate threats. I firmly believe in the scientific evidence which makes clear the dire, man-made consequences of climate change which face our planet and future generations. I support the historic Paris Climate Accords and was glad to see the U.S. reenter them in 2021, and I have consistently supported efforts to protect natural resources in our district, across the country, and around the world.
Clean Energy
I was proud to support the Inflation Reduction Act, a historic, $370 billion investment in renewable energy that will move the country significantly closer to meeting its emissions reductions goals while reducing energy bills for American families. The law includes support for renewable energy production, electric vehicles, sustainable fuels, and home energy efficiency upgrades, and ensures that disadvantaged and rural communities are included in the transition to a clean economy.
Protecting Public Health and Environmental Health
We must uphold safe environmental standards in order to protect public health. I’ve supported policies to set a national goal of reducing greenhouse gas pollution and improving our nation’s air quality, and helped pass sweeping legislation to preserve and restore natural ecosystems in Virginia and across the nation.
I supported the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act, which permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund to invest in conservation, outdoor recreation, and address the National Park system’s maintenance backlog.
Waterways and Offshore Drilling
I voted in favor of federal legislation to protect public health through the removal of harmful chemicals in our waterways and ensuring our drinking water safety is closely regulated. I have also helped pass bills in the House of Representatives to block dangerous offshore drilling efforts and protect our Virginia coastline, as well as those around the nation, from oil and gas development. My efforts include placing pressure, in coordination with the Virginia House delegation, on the U.S. Department of the Interior to be continuously attentive to needs of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s Atlantic coast.