Senate Vote Descriptions:
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1. Arctic Refuge/Stop Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: The original Senate energy bill did not include drilling in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. However, when the Senate debated the energy bill, Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-AK) introduced an amendment to open the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge for oil and gas drilling and development. Arctic champions Sens. Kerry (D-MA) and Lieberman (D-CT) filibustered the Murkowski amendment. To end the filibuster and proceed to a vote on the amendment, drilling supporters needed 60 votes (known as cloture) to proceed. On April 18, 2002, the Senate voted 46-54 not to end the filibuster and to protect the Arctic. Sen. Murkowski then withdrew his amendment. (Roll Call #71) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

2. Clean Air/Protect Crucial Clean Air Act Regulations: On December 31, 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the most significant rollback of clean air rules since the Clean Air Act was adopted 30 years ago. The Agency made the changes at the behest of industry lobbyists and in spite of the vocal opposition of state regulators, at least nine Attorneys General, hundreds of thousands of private citizens, more than one thousand medical doctors, and many members of Congress. These rule changes will allow increased emissions from 17,000 industrial facilities across the country, exacerbating the soot and smog that send hundreds of thousands of Americans to hospital emergency rooms each year. On January 21, 2003, Sens. Edwards (D-NC) and Lieberman (D-CT) introduced an amendment that would have prevented EPA's implementation of the rule changes until their health impacts were studied. On January 22, 2003, the Senate voted against the amendment 46-50. (Roll Call #12) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: YES

3. Global Warming & Energy Efficiency/Reduce Oil Consumption: America is too dependent on oil; this dependence has repercussions for the environment, for consumers and for our national security. America's cars and light trucks comprise an estimated 40% of U.S. oil consumption; the U.S. could substantially reduce both its dependence on oil and its carbon dioxide emissions by raising the vehicle mileage-per-gallon of new cars and light trucks. Unfortunately, although the Senate energy bill (S. 517) originally included a provision to increase the fuel economy of cars and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2013, this provision was removed. As amended, the Senate energy bill does nothing to decrease this dependence on oil, foreign or domestic. In fact, it would take us backwards, actually increasing oil consumption. Sens. Carper (D-DE) and Specter (R-PA) offered an amendment to require the Department of Transportation to reduce oil consumption by 1 million barrels a day by 2015. While the amendment did not set a specific target for fuel efficiency in vehicles, it would have been an important step toward protecting America's energy security and environment. However, Sen. Levin (D-MI) moved to table (kill) the Carper amendment. On April 25, 2002, the Senate tabled the Carper amendment 57-42. (Roll Call #90) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

4. Global Warming & Clean Energy/Oppose Weakening Renewable Energy Standard: A renewable energy standard requires power companies to generate an increasing percentage of electricity from renewable resources, such as solar and wind. Studies done by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) show that a national standard increasing the amount of electricity generated by renewable energy to 20% by 2020 is reasonable and achievable. The Senate energy bill drafted by Sens. Daschle (D-SD) and Bingaman (D-NM) included a national renewable energy standard that was half this level. Sen. Kyl (R-AZ) proposed an amendment to completely strip the modest renewable energy provision from the underlying bill and replace it with a voluntary state program that will allow consumers to be charged more for "green energy." In return, American consumers would have gotten no guarantee that even one additional kilowatt-hour of clean renewable energy will be generated. The Kyl amendment was a special interest ploy to trick consumers and deny all Americans the benefits of truly clean renewable energy. On March 21, 2002, the Senate rejected the Kyl amendment 40-58. (Roll Call #55) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

5. Global Warming & Energy Efficiency/Increase Efficiency of Air Conditioners: The quickest, cheapest, cleanest way to reduce America's dependence on polluting energy sources is to dramatically increase energy efficiency. Air conditioning accounts for as much as 70% of electricity used during hot summer days. As temperatures soar, so do electric bills and power plant emissions. Using existing technology to make air conditioners use less energy will not only save consumers $1 billion annually but will help reduce the threat of rolling blackouts by decreasing demand for electricity. The Department of Energy (DOE) under the Clinton administration set a standard calling for a 30% increase in efficiency for central air conditioners and heat pumps. In April 2001, however, the DOE announced its intention to roll back the standard to a 20% improvement. In May 2002, the DOE followed through on this statement by releasing a rule that allows air conditioner manufacturers to meet lower efficiency requirements. Sen. Bingaman (D-NM) opposed the lower standard and mandated a 30% increase in air conditioner efficiency in the Senate energy bill (S. 517). However, during Senate floor consideration of the bill, Sen. Harkin (D-IA) introduced an amendment that, in effect, struck the 30% increase from the bill. On April 25, 2002, the Senate approved the Harkin amendment 52-47. (Roll Call #89) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

6. Global Warming & Clean Energy/Oppose Toxic Incineration: Garbage incineration is one of our nation's costliest and most dangerous means of generating energy, releasing large quantities of toxic chemicals such as lead and dioxin into the atmosphere. In addition, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, garbage incinerators in 2000 emitted 2.2 tons of mercury-nearly 20% of the nation's mercury emissions-polluting groundwater and surface water, contaminating fish populations, and significantly raising the risk of neurological damage and birth defects in humans. The Senate energy bill (S. 517) contains a provision requiring the largest investor-owned electric utilities to generate at least 10% of their electricity from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, by 2020. Recognizing this provision's potential economic boon, advocates for the garbage incineration industry argue that incinerators should be defined as a renewable energy source. This definition will impede our nation's progress toward truly clean renewable energy sources. Sen. Fitzgerald (R-IL) introduced an amendment to make clear that garbage incineration is not a renewable energy source. Sen. Bingaman (D-NM) moved to table (kill) the Fitzgerald amendment. On April 24, 2002, the Senate voted to table the amendment 50-46. (Roll Call #84) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

7. Clean Water/Keep Polluters Responsible for Pollution: Companies should be fully liable for problems caused by their products, but the Senate energy bill (S. 517) exempts renewable fuels and fuel additives from federal and state product liability protections. This loophole would shift cleanup costs from polluters to local taxpayers, eliminate an important disincentive to pollute, and create a dangerous precedent for future environmental policy. Already, research indicates that ethanol may inhibit the breakdown of other, more toxic components of gasoline and increase the spread of benzene and other toxics around leaking storage tanks. As research on existing fuels goes forward and new renewable fuel technologies develop, new and unanticipated public health and environmental hazards may well emerge. Sens. Boxer (D-CA) and Feinstein (D-CA) offered an amendment to energy bill to ensure that oil companies are fully liable for problems caused by fuels and fuel additives. Sen. Reid (D-NV) introduced a motion to table (kill) the amendment. On April 25, 2002, the Senate voted to table the amendment 57-42. (Roll Call #87) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

8. Polluter Subsidies/Oppose Sending Dangerous Waste to Yucca Mountain: Nuclear waste from nuclear power plants may be the most dangerous substance produced by humans. Just a few seconds exposure to an unshielded nuclear power plant fuel rod after it is removed from the reactor is enough to deliver a lethal dose of radiation. No country in the world has delivered a sound policy for disposing of this waste, since it remains dangerous to humans and other living things for at least one quarter of a million years. Despite these dangers, the Bush administration weakened standards for a nuclear waste dump and designated a site at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The government's own studies show the site will leak radioactive waste into groundwater and no one has adequately studied the risks of transporting 150,000 shipments of this lethal material. On July 9, 2002, the Senate voted to approve Yucca Mountain as the nation's nuclear waste dump 60-39. (Roll Call #167) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

9. Environmental Preservation/Oppose Drilling in National Monuments: Some of the nation's most spectacular places have been granted special status as National Monuments under the Antiquities Act, which allows presidents to provide protections to objects of important natural, historic, or scientific value. Treasured places like the Grand Canyon were protected as National Monuments when they were most vulnerable. Unfortunately, President Bush and Interior Secretary Gale Norton announced that they will consider the possibility of oil and gas drilling and other reckless development on these fragile lands, threatening the integrity of these national treasures. Sen. Durbin (D-IL) offered an amendment to H.R. 2217, the Fiscal Year 2002 Interior Appropriations bill, that will prohibit Secretary Norton from issuing oil, gas, coal, and geothermal leases on National Monuments. When Sen. Durbin offered his amendment, Sen. Burns (R-MT) introduced a motion to table (or kill) the amendment. On July 11, 2001, the Senate rejected the Burns motion 42-57. (Roll Call #229) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

10. Fair Trade/Stop Anti-Consumer, Anti-Environmental Trade Agreements: International trade agreements are quickly becoming vehicles for large, multi-national corporations to challenge environmental and consumer protections as "barriers to free trade." There have been several lawsuits filed by large corporations seeking to overturn bans on hazardous chemicals and local decisions on waste dumps under provisions of current trade agreements. The Senate voted on a bill to give the President virtually unfettered ability to negotiate additional trade agreements with no protections for the environment. In addition, the bill also contains a specific provision that declares consumer labeling of food products a barrier to free trade. On August 1, 2002, the Senate passed the bill 64-34. (Roll Call #207) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

11. Corporate Responsibility/Support "No More Enrons" Accounting Reforms: Auditor conflicts of interest helped Enron, Worldcom, Tyco and others cook their books and destroy investor confidence in the markets. Despite concerns that accounting reform opponents would weakenen the Senate's Corporate Reform Act, the crushing weight of the Worldcom fiasco and the Enron debacle gave Senate champion Sen. Sarbanes (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, enough leverage to reject all amendments to weaken the bill on the Senate floor and prevail in conference committee over House conferees insisting on the much weaker House version of the bill. The final bill creates a tough accounting oversight board, establishes strong auditor independence provisions and protects whistleblowers. On July 15, 2002, the Senate voted to pass the Corporate Reform Act 97-0. (Roll Call #176) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: YES

12. Consumer Protections/Protect Consumers From Future Enrons: We need to strengthen corporate accountability in the post-Enron world and ensure that consumers receive reliable electricity at fair prices. Recent energy industry scandals demonstrate the need for more local control and accountability when it comes to the companies that sell us power. Electric utilities are already passing the costs of their reckless investments on to consumers with higher electricity prices. Unfortunately, the Senate energy bill (S. 517) would make this even easier by including a provision that weakens current law by repealing one of the only pro-consumer electricity laws on the books, the Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA). Under PUHCA, the Securities and Exchange Commission requires large, multi-state companies that own utilities - known as registered holding companies - from using the kind of financial structures and accounting practices that helped lead to the downfall of Enron. PUHCA helps shield consumers and investors from these risky business decisions by requiring registered holding companies to invest only in businesses needed to run the utility. Sen. Cantwell (D-WA) offered an amendment to improve the electricity provisions of the energy bill by strengthening consumer protections. On April 24, 2002, the Senate voted to table (kill) the Cantwell amendment 58-39. (Roll Call #80) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

13. Corporate Responsibility/Prevent "Enron-like" Energy Market Fraud: The Commodity Futures Modernization Act, enacted in 2000, has a loophole that allows Enron and others companies to trade complex energy and minerals futures with no regulatory oversight. Enron used these over-the-counter derivatives trades extensively to hide its murky financial transactions. As a result, about 90% of energy trades representing purely financial transactions escape regulation by both the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Sens. Feinstein (D-CA) and Fitzgerald (R-IL) offered an amendment to the Senate energy bill that closes this loophole and restores necessary transparency and oversight to the financial marketplace. It adds registration, reporting and capital requirements to energy derivatives trading and prevents "fraud on the markets" by restoring oversight authority of the CFTC. On April 10, 2002, the Senate rejected the amendment 48-50. (Roll Call #61) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: YES

14. Health Care/Support Patients' Bill of Rights: The Bipartisan Patient Protection Act, sponsored by Sens. McCain (R-AZ) and Edwards (D-NC), amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to protect consumers in managed care plans from unfair practices by HMOs. Provisions include access to emergency care and specialists; continuity of care when in the middle of treatment; a good, unbiased appeal process and right to external review; and the right to hold health plans accountable for their decisions, in court if necessary. On June 29, 2001, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 59-36. (Roll Call #220) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: YES

15. Consumer Protection/Oppose Weakening Consumer Bankruptcy Rights: Despite independent research showing that most bankruptcies are the result of job layoffs, divorce, or sudden illness, the Senate passed one-sided legislation backed forcefully by the credit card industry that will restrict the ability of financially strapped consumers to make a fresh start in bankruptcy. The bill imposes a rigid new means test on debtors seeking to file for Chapter 7 "fresh-start" bankruptcy, unfairly forcing many consumers into Chapter 13 "5-year repayment plans." The bill also creates onerous legal and paperwork burdens for debtors of modest means while continuing to allow affluent debtors in some states to file for bankruptcy protection and retain expensive homes. Furthermore, it does virtually nothing to rein in abusive creditor practices that help lead consumers into insupportable debt. On March 15, 2001, the Senate approved the bankruptcy bill by a vote of 83-15. (Roll Call #36) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

16. Consumer Protection/Protect Medical Malpractice Victims: The root causes of increasing medical malpractice insurance rates are lack of doctor oversight to prevent medical errors and reckless investments by the insurance industry, not punitive legal damages awarded to victims. Sen. McConnell (R-KY) offered an amendment to the Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act to limit the rights of victims of medical malpractice to recover damages from doctors, HMOs, hospitals, and drug companies that commit medical malpractice. On July 30, 2002, the Senate rejected the amendment 57-42. (Roll Call #197) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: YES

17. Consumer Protection/Prohibit Predatory Loans: During consideration of legislation (S. 420) supported by the credit card industry to amend the bankruptcy laws, Sen. Wellstone (D-MN) offered a balancing amendment to curb certain abusive practices. The Wellstone amendment would prevent predatory lenders that make loans at interest rates greater than 100% APR, such as payday and auto title pawn loan companies, from making claims against consumers to recover unpaid debts in bankruptcy. On March 14, 2001, the Senate voted to table (kill) the amendment by a vote of 58-41. (Roll Call #28) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

18. Consumer Protection/Protect Students from Unfair Credit Card Offers: Studies have documented abusive credit card marketing on college campuses as well as serious credit card delinquency problems among students and others under 21. During consideration of S.420, a credit card industry-backed bankruptcy bill, Sen. Dodd (D-CT) proposed an amendment to prohibit credit card offers to consumers under 21 unless they either have a co-signer, show an ability to repay their loans, or have completed a credit education course. Other credit card applicants need either an ability to repay or a co-signer, but typically the industry waives these requirements for students, hoping to hook them on their cards. On March 13, 2001, the Senate voted to table (kill) the amendment 58-41. (Roll Call #25) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

19. Health Care/Increase Access to Affordable Generic Drugs: Consumers are increasingly frustrated by the high costs of prescription drugs. In 2001, the price of drugs rose six times faster than the rate of inflation. In addition, drug prices in the United States are the highest in the world -- American consumers pay 72% more than consumers in Canada and 102% more than consumers in Mexico. One way to lower the costs for consumers is to make it easier for generic drug makers to enter the market without interference from brand-name manufacturers. Generic drugs are typically priced at 30-80% below brand-name drugs. The Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals (GAAP) Act would remove numerous unfair market barriers used by the prescription drug industry to inhibit competition from low-cost generic drug companies. On July 31, 2002, the Senate passed GAAP 66-33. (Roll Call #200) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: YES

20. Campaign Finance Reform/Oppose Doubling Contribution Limits: During the Senate debate on campaign finance reform, Sen. Thompson (R-TN) offered an amendment to the McCain-Feingold bill that increased the current limit on contributions to candidates running for federal office from $1,000 to $2,000. This only further increases the amounts that candidates can raise from wealthy donors and gives special interests even more influence in determining who runs for office and who wins elections. On March 28, 2001, the Senate adopted the amendment 84-16. (Roll Call #55) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO

21. Election Reform/Protect Registered Voters: During the Senate debate on election reform, Sen. Burns (R-MT) offered an amendment that would have made it easier to purge voters from voting rolls. The National Voter Registration Act (often called "Motor-Voter") ensures that registered voters are not removed from the rolls simply because they have not voted recently. States must have a reason to believe that a voter is no longer eligible before initiating the "purging" process-and even in this case, there is a fail-safe mechanism to correct errors at the polls. The Burns amendment turned this protection on its head, permitting states to purge anyone who misses two successive federal elections and does not respond to a notice. This provision would result in the purging of many eligible and properly registered voters. On February 14, 2002, the Senate rejected the amendment 40-55. (Roll Call #34) PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO