Last month the American Energy Alliance released its 2020 American Energy Scorecard results for the House of Representatives. The AEA scorecard scores voting and co-sponsorship decisions on legislation affecting energy and environmental policy, educating voters on how their representatives vote and holding members accountable for those decisions.
The scorecard is guided by principles such as:
- Promoting affordable, abundant, and reliable energy
- Expanding economic opportunity and prosperity, particularly for working families and those on fixed incomes
- Giving Americans, not Washington bureaucrats, the power to make their own energy choices
- Encouraging private sector innovation and entrepreneurship
- Advancing market-oriented energy and environment policies
- Reducing the role of government in energy markets
- Eliminating the subsidies, mandates, and special interest giveaways that lead to higher energy costs
This year’s scorecard compiled 19 votes and 2 co-sponsorship decisions from the 116th Congress. 74 House members achieved a 100% score.
While many members failed to achieve a perfect score for various reasons, the most concerning scores came from those representing districts where the energy industry is a major economic driver and job creator. One of these members is Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, whose Texas 7th Congressional District covers much of the west side of Houston. Houston is the energy capital of the United State, with the energy industry supporting tens of thousands of high paying jobs in the city. Fletcher’s district even includes the “energy corridor,” an area of the city where energy firms are especially concentrated.
Given the outsized importance of the energy industry in her district, Rep. Fletcher’s score of 37% is especially disappointing. This is even below the overall House average of 42%. Rep. Fletcher is clearly out of step with her constituents in the 7th district. This kind of voting record might pass in New York City, but it is unacceptable from the district at the heart of the Texas energy industry.
It also cannot be considered an accident. AEA notifies all members in advance of votes that will be scored. A member disagreeing with AEA’s position on one or two votes might be understandable, but Rep. Fletcher shows a consistent record of votes harming the American energy industry and consumers alike. Her record of voting against the interests of her constituents should be on the mind of every voter in 2020.