Scorecard: Michigan Republicans Don’t Care About the Environment

MICHIGAN—The Michigan League of Conservation Voters this week released the results of its National Environmental Scorecard, which evaluates whether the state’s elected leaders in Congress are actually working to protect the environment—or simply ignoring the problem. 

And while nine members of Michigan’s congressional delegation—all Democrats—scored high marks, the results show that every Republican lawmaker who represented Michigan last year fell short on efforts to invest in clean energy, protect public health and tackle the climate crisis.

Here are the results:

US Senate

• Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) – 100%
• Sen. Gary Peters (D) – 96%

US House

• Rep. Debbie Dingell (D) – 100%
• Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D) – 100%
• Rep. Andy Levin (D)* – 100%
• Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D) – 95%
• Rep. Dan Kildee (D) – 95%
• Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D) – 95%
• Rep. Haley Stevens (D) – 95%
• Rep. Fred Upton (R)* – 42%
• Rep. Peter Meijer (R)* – 32%
• Rep. Jack Bergman (R) – 11%
• Rep. Bill Huizenga (R) – 11%
• Rep. John Moolenaar (R) – 11%
• Rep. Tim Walberg (R) – 5%
• Rep. Lisa McClain (R) – 0%

Worth noting: The two highest scoring Republican lawmakers are no longer in office. 

This year’s scorecard revolved around dozens of votes on impactful environmental bills, as well as a number of votes in both chambers on legislation that would strengthen democracy and safeguard equity, including key votes to protect same-sex marriage and reproductive rights.

The League of Conservation Voters also evaluated lawmakers based on how they voted on the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided billions of dollars to states for weatherizing homes, rebuilding infrastructure, investing in clean energy, and boosting electric vehicles. Activists have billed the legislation as the most significant action to address climate change in US history.

In a press release, league officials praised Democratic lawmakers for showcasing a commitment to action on climate, clean energy, jobs and justice. They also chided Republican members of the state delegation for “siding with corporate polluters rather than the people of Michigan.”

“Last session, members of Congress voted on the most consequential legislation in history to transition our country to clean, renewable energy, create high-paying jobs, save Americans money, and address the climate crisis with the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Bentley Johnson, the League’s federal government affairs director, in a release. “Michigan had nine Congressional members take a stand for cleaner air and water and a livable future for our kids and grandkids.”