Heroes and zeroes
Western politicians rack up some of the worst
environmental voting records, according to the Washington,
D.C.-based League of Conservation Voters. Scoring below 11 percent
were Republican senators Dirk Kempthorne, Idaho; Conrad Burns,
Montana; Pete Domenici, New Mexico; Bob Packwood, Oregon; Malcolm
Wallop, Wyoming; and Larry Pressler, South Dakota. Experts from 27
environmental groups chose the issues, which included livestock
grazing on public lands, amendments to the Endangered Species Act,
mining law reform and protection of the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge. Low rankers in the House included Reps. James Hansen,
R-Utah; Craig Thomas, R-Wyo.; Bob Stump, R-Ariz.; Dan Schaefer,
R-Colo.; Joe Skeen, R-N.M.; and Bob Smith, R-Ore. Not all Western
politicians scored poorly. Democrats Patty Murray, Washington;
Dennis DeConcini, Arizona; Max Baucus, Montana; Richard Bryan,
Nevada; and Harry Reid, Nevada, all rated above 62 percent.
Representatives who rated above 94 percent include Democrats
Patricia Schroeder, Colorado; Bill Richardson, New Mexico;
Elizabeth Furse, Oregon; and Karen Shepherd, Utah. The League
reports that Congress voted on an unusually large number of
environmental bills this year, largely due to the activism of the
Clinton administration. To get a copy of the Scorecard, send $6 to
1707 L. St., N.W., Suite 550, Washington, DC 20036
(202/785-8683).