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Breaking News from America's Progressive Community... 1999
Releases
The press releases posted here have been provided to NewsCenter by the one of the many progressive organizations we have selected to participate. If you would like more information about this press release, you should contact the organization directly. |
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| FEBRUARY
16, 1999 5:41 PM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Sierra Club Daniel J. Weiss, 202-675-6275 pager: 888-833-0290 Allen Mattison, 202-675-7903 |
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| Sierra Club Launches Ads To Educate Public About Five Representatives Who Voted Against The Environment | ||||
| WASHINGTON
- February 16 - The Sierra Club today began running radio and newspaper
advertisements in the districts of five U.S. Representatives who voted against
the "Defense of the Environment Act." The ads _ designed to educate the
public about their Representative's anti-environmental votes _ are timed to
coincide with the Congressional recess that has brought Members home to their
districts.
"These five Members started the 106th Congress on the wrong foot by voting against the Defense of the Environment Act," said Daniel J. Weiss, Political Director of the Sierra Club. "The Defense of the Environment Act would have slammed the back door shut on anti-environmental provisions. The votes of these Members will make it easier to weaken clean air and water safeguards." The Sierra Club has begun airing radio ads targeting Reps. Jim Kolbe (AZ-5), John Sununu (NH-1) and Heather Wilson (NM-1), and publishing newspaper ads aimed at Reps. James Rogan (CA-27) and Gary Condit (CA-18). The ads inform the public about their Representative's February 10 vote against the amendment and urge residents to call their Members to ask them to support the amendment when it is offered in the future. The text of those ads is attached; audio dubs of the radio ads are available by calling the Sierra Club at the phone number listed above. "It's important for people in these districts to know their Representatives failed to stand up for clean air, clean water and safe food," Weiss added. "Throughout the 106th Congress, the Sierra Club will continue to tell people when their Senators and Representatives cast anti-environmental votes. However, we believe the carrot works just as well as the stick, and when Members protect the environment, we will give their actions the praise they deserve." Offered by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) as an amendment to the Mandates Information Act (H.R. 350), the Defense of the Environment Act was killed by a vote of 203-216 on February 10. Had it passed, the Defense of the Environment Act would have required an independent vote on any measure that could weaken or roll back America's environmental protections. This measure would prevent backroom attempts to attach anti-environmental riders to other legislation without having Members having to vote on the substance of those attachments. ### |
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