Protecting Our Environment
Congressman Sherman's efforts in Congress to protect our environment has consistently earned him a nearly 100 percent rating from the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters.
Sherman has also received the Sierra Club Los Angeles Chapter's Public Policy Award for helping to secure federal funds to protect open space in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Below are some of Sherman's recent efforts to protect our environment.
Addressing Climate Change as a National Emergency
With the growing threat of climate change, I have worked to expand our national commitment to environmentalism. Yet conservatives have spent recent months drafting the most anti-environment spending bills we’ve ever seen – undermining the Environmental Protection Agency and slashing funding for clean energy programs – and had Members vote again and again on legislation to expand fossil fuel extraction in the U.S.
Each time, Sherman cast his vote to defend our nation’s environmental protection laws and the Senate has thankfully failed to take up these pro-polluter bills.
Now several years after the law’s enactment, we are starting to see the transformative change brought about by the Inflation Reduction Act, a $369 billion investment in our environment that represents the most significant climate change legislation enacted in U.S. history.
That funding includes substantial investments in clean power, support from the EPA to help implement California’s Climate Action Plan, and a $500 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant for Southern California to decarbonize transportation and goods movement throughout the region.
Last year, Sherman joined Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in reintroducing the Green New Deal to establish a 10-year national mobilization effort to reduce the use of fossil fuels, secure clean air and water, create millions of high-paying jobs, and support infrastructure investments while promoting an equitable and sustainable environment for all.
Sherman has supported the Green New Deal since it was first introduced in the House of Representatives and will continue to do so going forward.
Sherman has prioritized combating climate change in other legislation he's cosponsored, including H. Con. Res. 37,a resolution recognizing climate change as a national emergency and urging the President to take a whole-of-government approach to prevent climate change and mitigate its effects.
Holding Polluters Accountable
To address the environmental harms posed by fracking, Sherman cosponsored the “Frack Pack” of five bills, including the CLOSE Act, which closes a loophole in the Clean Air Actthat allows oil and gas producers to skirt emissions regulations.
Sherman also support the CLEANER Act, FRESHER Act, SHARED Act, and FRAC Act which address gaps in existing law and increase regulation of specific air and water pollutants associated with fracking.
Sherman joined with Rep. Jared Huffman to reintroduce the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act, the most comprehensive plan ever introduced to address the plastic pollution crisis.
Sherman also cosponsored the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, legislation which would impose a fee on the carbon content of fuels, including crude oil, natural gas, coal, or any product derived from those fuels that emits greenhouse gases.
Protecting California's Natural Resources
Throughout Sherman's time in Congress, he has strived to protect and defend the marvel of California’s natural environment. In recent years, Sherman helped secure a total of nearly $2 million in funding for the non-profit TreePeople to restore land and reduce fire risk in the Northwest Valley.
Additionally, Sherman cosponsored the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act and the West Coast Ocean Protection Act to prohibit offshore oil and gas drilling in our district and across the Outer Continental Shelf along the west coast and protect our oceans and coastal economies from the harms of offshore drilling.
Preserving the Santa Monica Mountains and Beyond
We are fortunate to have in our district the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, America’s largest urban national park.There is a crucial need to preserve sensitive habitat and recreational trails in this treasured national park.
That is why Sherman joined Rep. Adam Schiff in reintroducing the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act, which would add over 191,000 acres of open space to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
Sherman also recently secured nearly $1 million signed into law this past March for public land acquisition and preservation in the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and a key House of Representatives panel gave preliminary approval to another $1 million for the upcoming fiscal year.
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More on Protecting Our Environment
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) issued the following statement on the Palisades Fire:
"Grateful for the heroic efforts of the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, CAL FIRE and all our first responders working to save lives and homes in the toughest conditions imaginable."
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) called on the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator to swiftly issue a disaster determination for the Franklin Fire, ensuring timely relief for residents, small businesses, and communities impacted by the devastating blaze.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) received a 100% rating on the League of Conservation Voters (LCV)2023 National Environmental Scorecardfor his efforts on important environmental legislation. Congressman Sherman has received multiple perfect scores by the LCV during his over 28 years serving in Congress.