Highlights:
DeSantis On Climate Change: “A Lot Of These Predictions Haven’t Been Proven To Be True.” According to an interview posted on Youtube.com by Think Progress, “INTERVIEWER: It might be interesting to tell us what you think of climate change? Very controversial complex topic. How much do you believe? DESANTIS: It is not a question of my belief, you know when Al Gore speaks, as a member of Congress I say OK, Al I’ll assume everything you say is true, even though a lot of these predictions haven’t been proven to be true predictions that have already been made and we can evaluate, but never the less.” [Think Progress via YouTube, 3/20/14]
DeSantis Said That A Lot Of The Solutions For Climate Change That He Has Seen Would Be “Counterproductive.” According to an interview posted on Youtube.com by Think Progress, “DESANTIS: So, my view is from a policy perspective those are not policies that I am going to embrace, but I do think that if we allow the private sector to work, if we allow innovation to take hold, you’re going to see more things like with the gas revolution. So you will end up having reduced emissions. So a lot of the solutions I have quote un quote I’ve seen I think would probably be counterproductive.” [Think Progress via YouTube, 3/20/14]
DeSantis Said It Was “Crass” For Lawmakers To Take Climate Change Action To Senate Floor. According to Think Progress, “Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) said Tuesday that Democratic lawmakers were ‘crass’ to take demands for climate change action to the Senate floor in March for an all-night discussion on the issue.” [Think Progress, 3/20/14]
DeSantis Said That An All-Night Senate Debate On Climate Change Was Done To Appease “Wealthy Hedge Fund Billionaires In San Francisco Who Have Pledged A Lot Of Money For Democratic Candidates.” According to an article in EcoWatch, “In a YouTube video posted by ThinkProgress, DeSantis told a town hall crowd that the climate ‘all-nighter’ hosted by about 30 senators earlier this month was done to appease fundraisers. ‘There are some really wealthy hedge fund billionaires in San Francisco who have pledged a lot of money for Democratic candidates to argue for cap and trade and carbon tax and all these things,’ DeSantis said. ‘So they have no intention of offering any of that right now because they know it would not be popular but it was basically an opportunity to show some of these donors they are in the fight.’ ‘So in that sense, for Harry Reid to let the Senate be used for that, such a crass reason, given the amount of money that’s at stake, I thought that was kind of strange.’” [EcoWatch.com 3/26/14]
DeSantis Signed Americans For Prosperity’s No Climate Tax Pledge. According to a press release from Americans for Prosperity, “The Florida chapter of the free - market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity (AFP FL) today applauded U. S. Representative Ron DeSantis (6th District) for signing the group’s No Climate Tax pledge. DeSantis joins more than 400 bipartisan lawmakers and candidates on the federal, state and local levels pledging to ‘oppose legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.’” [Press Release – Americans For Prosperity, 4/9/13]
DeSantis: “I Am Not A Global Warming Person. I Don’t Want That Label On Me.” According to YouTube video of DeSantis, “DESANTIS: I would say human activity contributes to changes in the environment. I am not a global warming person. I don’t want that label on me.” [YouTube, 3/20/23]
DeSantis Spoke Out Against Global Warming, Said “We’re Not Doing Any Left Wing Stuff.” According to a YouTube video of DeSantis, “DESANTIS: What I’ve found is people when they start talking about things like global warming, they typically use that as a pretext to do a bunch of left-wing things that they would want to do anyways. And so, we’re not doing any left-wing stuff. What we’re doing though is reacting to the fact that OK, we’re a flood-prone state. We do have storms. I don’t know that we really haven’t had more storms in the last 10, 15 years than the last portions of, you could pick different periods where we’ve had a lot. But the bottom line is that this is something that has a huge impact. As our state becomes more populated, of course, there’s more property that can be damaged. There’s more human lives that would be at stake. So rather than just simply reacting every time something like that happens, you know, let’s be more proactive and let’s build strong infrastructure going forward. And so I think that’s the right thing to do regardless.” [YouTube, 3/20/23]
DeSantis Denied Climate Change, Saying It Was “Driven By Ideology, It’s Not Driven By Reality.” According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, “Gov. Ron DeSantis dismissed fears about climate change plunging the planet into crisis Wednesday during an event in Texas where he rolled out an energy policy platform focused on developing new sources of fossil fuels. Once hailed by environmental advocates for his green initiatives as governor, DeSantis positioned himself Wednesday as an ardent critic of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to renewable energy sources and electric vehicles. ‘We’ve seen a concerted effort to ramp up the fear when it comes to things like global warming and climate change,’ DeSantis said. Noting that phrases like ‘climate crisis’ and ‘climate emergency’ have grown in use, DeSantis said: ‘This is driven by ideology, it’s not driven by reality. In reality, human beings are safer than ever from climate disasters.’” [Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 9/20/23]
DeSantis Released His Energy Policy Proposal, Pledged To Bring Gas Prices Down To $2 A Gallon By 2025. According to Bloomberg, “Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered a full-throated call for more US oil and gas production, promising to jettison policies he says are holding back domestic energy output. DeSantis vowed to be “laser-focused on reducing gas prices and energy costs,” with a goal of achieving $2 gas in 2025, according to the energy policy plan he released Wednesday. ‘As your president, I will restore our freedom to fuel. I will ensure that the United States of America is the dominant energy producer in the entire world,’ he said in a speech in Midland, Texas outlining the central tenets of his blueprint. ‘I will ensure that this country does not have to rely on hostile nations for its energy needs ever again.’” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
Bloomberg: Presidents “Have Limited Influence Over What Americans Pay At The Pump.” According to Bloomberg, “DeSantis’s $2 price per gallon pledge may make for good politics, but it would be difficult to achieve. While presidents often get blamed for high gasoline prices, they generally have limited influence over what Americans pay at the pump. The last time a gallon of unleaded gasoline cost $2 on average in the US was in June 2020, when pandemic shutdowns kept people off the roads and caused demand to collapse.” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
DeSantis Called To Halt The EPA’s Tailpipe Mandates, Which Would Have Compelled Automakers To Ensure Two-Thirds Of Consumer Vehicles Were Electric By 2032. According to Bloomberg, “DeSantis is calling for overhauls to a series of policies he says limit consumer choice and hike energy costs. His proposed changes include plans to: Halt the Environmental Protection Agency’s tailpipe pollution-cutting mandates, likely including proposed standards that would effectively compel automakers to ensure two-thirds of consumer vehicles are electric by 2032.” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
DeSantis Called To Eliminate Subsidies For Electric Cars. According to Bloomberg, “DeSantis is calling for overhauls to a series of policies he says limit consumer choice and hike energy costs. His proposed changes include plans to: […] Eliminate subsidies for electric cars, including a newly expanded $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit.” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
DeSantis Proposed Rescinding Federal Regulations That Promoted ESG Investing Strategies. According to Bloomberg, “DeSantis is calling for overhauls to a series of policies he says limit consumer choice and hike energy costs. His proposed changes include plans to: […] Rescind federal regulations that promote ESG — or environmental, social and governance — investing strategies and bar government accounts and pensions from using those metrics.” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
DeSantis Called To Repeal Federal Surtaxes On Liquid Fuels, Such As Gasoline, Diesel, And Propane. According to Bloomberg, “DeSantis is calling for overhauls to a series of policies he says limit consumer choice and hike energy costs. His proposed changes include plans to: […] Repeal federal surtaxes on liquid fuels — such as, gasoline, diesel and propane.” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
DeSantis Called To Withdraw From The Paris Climate Agreement And Other International Climate Commitments. According to Bloomberg, “DeSantis is calling for overhauls to a series of policies he says limit consumer choice and hike energy costs. His proposed changes include plans to: […] Withdraw from the Paris Agreement, global methane pledge and other climate commitments.” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
DeSantis Called To Approve Mining And Developments On Federal Lands. According to Bloomberg, “DeSantis is calling for overhauls to a series of policies he says limit consumer choice and hike energy costs. His proposed changes include plans to: […] Promote domestic extraction of fossil fuels — including oil, natural gas, coal and uranium — by approving mining and development on federal lands.” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
DeSantis Called To Expedite Energy Project Permit Processes. According to Bloomberg, “DeSantis is calling for overhauls to a series of policies he says limit consumer choice and hike energy costs. His proposed changes include plans to: […] Expedite the energy project permitting process” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
DeSantis Called To Establish A “Critical Mineral Strategic Reserve” And Reduce The U.S.’s Reliance On China For Raw Materials. According to Bloomberg, “DeSantis is calling for overhauls to a series of policies he says limit consumer choice and hike energy costs. His proposed changes include plans to: […] Establish a new ‘critical mineral strategic reserve’ and reduce US reliance on China for the raw materials used in semiconductors, batteries and military planes.” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
DeSantis Called To Refill The Nation’s Emergency Oil Stockpile. According to Bloomberg, “DeSantis is calling for overhauls to a series of policies he says limit consumer choice and hike energy costs. His proposed changes include plans to: […] Refill the nation’s emergency oil stockpile, which Biden has drawn down to combat high energy costs.” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
Many Of DeSantis’ Proposals Would Require Action From Congress. According to Bloomberg, “Many of the changes would require action from Congress. It also can take years for federal agencies to repeal existing regulations, given requirements to fully justify those changes and subject the decisions to public review.” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
Bloomberg Reported It Would Take Years To Rollback Federal Regulations. According to Bloomberg, “Many of the changes would require action from Congress. It also can take years for federal agencies to repeal existing regulations, given requirements to fully justify those changes and subject the decisions to public review.” [Bloomberg, 9/20/23]
2013: DeSantis Voted To Increase Offshore Drilling Along The East And West Coasts. In June 2013, DeSantis voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “direct[ed] the Interior secretary to develop a five-year offshore leasing plan that would make at least 50 percent of the unleased coastal areas with the most potential for energy production available for oil and gas exploration and development. It would [have] create[d] a nationwide revenue sharing system so coastal states would receive a share of the federal royalties. Drilling would [have] be[en] allowed off the coasts of California, South Carolina and Virginia.” The vote was on passage of the bill, which the House approved by a vote of 235 to 186. As of mid-December 2013, the Senate had taken no substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 304, 6/28/13; Congressional Quarterly, 6/28/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2231]
2013: DeSantis Voted To Permanently Open The Outer Continental Shelf To Drilling. In March 2013, DeSantis voted to support approving drilling in the outer continental shelf, as part of the Republican Study Committee’s proposed budget resolution covering fiscal years 2013 to 2023. According to the Republican Study Committee, “Given this principle, the budget permanently opens the Outer Continental Shelf for energy exploration and development.” The vote was on an amendment to the House budget resolution replacing the entire budget with the RSC’s proposed budget; the amendment failed by a vote of 104 to 132 with 171 Democrats voting present. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Repeating a strategy from last year, 171 Democrats voted “present” to push Republicans to vote against the RSC plan to make sure it did not have enough support to replace the Ryan plan.” [House Vote 86, 3/21/13; Republican Study Committee, 3/18/13; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/13]
2015: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Increased EPA Funding For Oil Spill Programs By $5 Million. In July 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment increasing funding for the EPA’s Oil Spill Programs by $5 million. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would have, “increase funding for EPA Inland Oil Spill Programs by $5 million, offset by an equal reduction to the Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.” The underlying measure was the FY 2016 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment 184 to 243. [House Vote 394, 7/8/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/8/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2822]
2015: DeSantis Voted Against The FY 2016 Omnibus. In December 2015, DeSantis voted against funding the NIH at an increased level. According to Congressional Quarterly, the bill would have “extend[ed] the production tax credit for wind energy facilities for which construction began before the end of 2019, as well as election to treat qualified facilities as energy property that is eligible for the investment credit. JCT estimates this extension would cost $14.5 billion over 10 years.” The legislation was, according to Congressional Quarterly, a FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the bill with an amendment. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 316 to 113. The legislation was later combined with a tax extender bill. The Senate passed the larger measure and the president signed it. [House Vote 705, 12/18/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/18/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/15/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/17/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2029]
2017: DeSantis Voted For The House GOP’s 2017 Tax Reform Plan Which Significantly Cut Taxes For The Rich And Corporations And Repealed The Tax Credit For Plug-In Electric Cars. In November 2017, DeSantis voted for reconciliation legislation which significantly altered the federal tax code. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The bill substantially restructures the U.S. tax code to simplify the code and reduce taxes on individuals, corporations and small businesses. For individuals, it consolidates the current seven tax brackets down to four and eliminates or restricts many tax credits and deductions, including by eliminating the deduction for state and local income taxes and limiting the deduction for property taxes to $10,000 and the interest deduction for a home mortgage to the first $500,000 worth of a loan. […] On the business side, it reduces the corporate tax from 35% to 20% and establishes a ‘territorial’ tax system that would exempt most income derived overseas from U.S. corporate taxation. It allows businesses to immediately expense 100% of the cost of assets acquired and placed into service, and for small businesses it raises the Section 179 expensing limit to $5 million for five years. It also establishes a 25% rate for a portion of pass-through business income that would otherwise have to be paid at the ordinary individual tax level, and for small businesses where an individual would receive less than $150,000 in pass-through income it taxes the first $75,000 of that income at a 9% rate.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 227 to 205. [House Vote 637, 11/16/17; Congressional Quarterly, 11/15/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST REAUTHORIZING THE WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
2015: DeSantis Voted Against Reauthorizing The Weatherization Assistance Program And The State Energy Program. In December 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “reauthorize[d] the Weatherization Assistance Program, under the Energy Conservation and Production Act, and the State Energy Program, under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, through FY 2020.” The underlying legislation was H.R. 8, an energy security and infrastructure bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 198 to 224. [House Vote 661, 12/2/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/2/15; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 858; Congressional Actions, H.R 8]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST USING AIR STANDARD PERMITS TO LIMIT POLLUTION
2014: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment Prohibiting Prior Air Quality Standards From Applying For A Pre-Construction Permit If Applicable Permitting Agency Determines It Would Increase Air Pollution. In November 2014, DeSantis voted against an amendment prohibiting prior air quality standards from applying for a pre-construction permit if applicable permitting agency determines it would increase air pollution. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would have “prohibit[ed] prior air quality standards from applying toward a pre-construction permit if the applicable federal, state or local permitting agency determines that applying the standard would increase air pollution, slow permitting or increase regulatory uncertainty.” The underlying bill was the Promoting New Manufacturing Act which would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “promote[d] new manufacturing in the United States by providing for greater transparency and timeliness in obtaining necessary permits.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 183 to 225. [House Vote 529, 11/20/14; Congressional Quarterly, 11/20/14; Congressional Quarterly, H.R. 4795]
2014: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Preventing Expedited Permitting For Corporations That Release Toxic Air Pollutants Within Five Miles Of A School And Require That Oil And Natural Gases Derived From Certain New Leases Should Not Be Exported To Certain Enemies. September 2014, DeSantis effectively voted against preventing expedited permitting for corporations that release toxic air pollutants within five miles of a school and require that oil and natural gases derived from certain new leases should not be exported to certain enemies. According to Congressional Quarterly, the motion to recommit would have “require[d] the establishment of a Treasury Department account for $10 million per year of revenues generated from the bill to be used by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It also would require that any lease issued under the bill specify that natural gas products cannot be exported to any nation or organization that provides support to terrorists or steals American military technology.” In addition, according to a floor speech by Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), “This amendment would seek to limit the release of toxic air pollutants around schools, hospitals, and nursing homes from the massive storage of petroleum coke in populated areas.” The underlying legislation was the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 193 to 222. [House Vote 514, 9/18/14; Congressional Quarterly, 9/18/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2; Congressional Record, 9/18/14]
DESANTIS EFFECTIVELY VOTED AGAINST WAIVING PUBLISHING REQUIREMENTS FOR DANGEROUS AIR POLLUTANTS RULES
2014: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Waiving Publishing Requirements For EPA Rules If The New Or Revised Rules Would Protect Children And Seniors From Exposure To Dangerous Air Pollutants. In November 2014, DeSantis effectively voted against waiving publishing requirements for EPA rules if the new or revised rules would protect children and seniors from exposure to dangerous air pollutants. According to Congressional Quarterly, the motion to recommit would have “allow[ed] new or revised ambient air quality standards to be implemented even if the EPA administrator fails to publish guidance relating to submission and consideration of pre-construction permit applications. It would only waive such publishing requirements if the new or revised ambient air quality standard would protect children and seniors from exposure to dangerous air pollutants or if the pre-construction permit application is for a source that is within 5 miles of a school, day care facility, hospital or nursing home.” The underlying bill was the Promoting New Manufacturing Act which would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “promote[d] new manufacturing in the United States by providing for greater transparency and timeliness in obtaining necessary permits.” The vote was on the motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 189 to 223. [House Vote 530, 11/20/14; Congressional Quarterly, 11/20/14; Congressional Quarterly, H.R. 4795]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST REMOVING EPA LIMITS ON SETTING OZONE STANDARDS
2015: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment Removing The EPA’s Limitations On Setting Ozone Standards. In July 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment removing the EPA’s limitations on updating its ozone standards until 85% of counties came into compliance. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would have, “remove[d] the bill’s limitation on EPA from updating its ozone standards until 85 percent of counties that [did] not meet the current standard [came] into compliance.” The underlying measure was the FY 2016 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment 180 to 249. [House Vote 401, 7/8/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/8/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2822]
2015: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment To The RAPID Act, Which Modified The Environmental Review Process For Federally Funded Projects, To Exempt Projects That Could Affect Air Quality. In September 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “exempt[ed] projects that affect safe drinking water and air quality of nearby communities, infringe on property rights, or affect tribal sovereignty, and would require environmental documents to assess whether projects use materials manufactured in the United States and whether they would result in hiring certain unemployed workers.” The underlying bill was H.R. 348, the RAPID Act which modified the environmental review process for federally funded projects. The measure limited the type of alternative projects that could be reviewed. The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 175 to 229. [House Vote 517, 9/25/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/25/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/18/15]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Delay The EPA’s Air Quality Standards For Ozone Until 2025. In June 2016, DeSantis voted for a bill that would have delayed the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2015 rule on ozone standards from 2017 to 2025. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “delay[ed] implementation of the EPA’s 2015 air quality standards for ozone from 2017 until 2025. The measure also would [have] modif[ied] the way the agency develops its National Ambient Air Quality Standards, such as by requiring reviews of the standards every ten years instead of every five years. As amended, no additional funds would [have] be[en] authorized to implement the bill.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 234 to 117. The Senate took no substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 282, 6/8/16; Congressional Quarterly, 6/8/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4775]
2017: DeSantis Voted To Delay The EPA’s Air Quality Standards For Ozone Until 2025. In July 2017, DeSantis voted for a bill that would have delayed the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2015 rule on ozone standards from 2017 to 2025. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “extend[ed] for eight years the deadline for the EPA to implement new National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone (the EPA issued such deadlines on Oct. 26, 2015). The bill would [have] require[d] the EPA to review the national ambient air quality standards for each pollutant every ten years, instead of every five, and would [have] require[d] the agency to evaluate possible adverse effects of standard changes, including effects related to public health, welfare and economics, prior to establishing or revising a national ambient air quality standard.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 229 to 199. [House Vote 391, 7/18/17; Congressional Quarterly, 7/18/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 806]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST REQUIRING THE EPA TO LIST HYDROGEN SULFIDE AS AN AIR POLLUTANT
2017: DeSantis Voted Against Requiring The EPA To List Hydrogen Sulfide As A Hazardous Air Pollutant. In July 2017, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d] the EPA to issue a rule adding hydrogen sulfide to the list of hazardous air pollutants.” The underlying legislation would have, also according to Congressional Quarterly, “extend[ed] for eight years the deadline for the EPA to implement new National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 186 to 242. [House Vote 388, 7/18/17; Congressional Quarterly, 7/18/17; Congressional Quarterly, 7/18/17; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 201; Congressional Actions, H.R. 806]
2016: DeSantis Voted Against Requiring The EPA To List Hydrogen Sulfide As A Hazardous Air Pollutant. In June 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d] the EPA to issue a rule that would add hydrogen sulfide to the list of hazardous air pollutants.” The underlying legislation would have, also according to Congressional Quarterly, “delay[ed] implementation of the EPA’s 2015 air quality standards for ozone from 2017 until 2025.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 160 to 251. [House Vote 279, 6/8/16; Congressional Quarterly, 6/8/16; Congressional Quarterly, 6/8/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1154; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4775]
DESANTIS EFFECTIVELY VOTED AGAINST REQUIRING THE ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS AND EPA ENSURE THAT SURFACE WATERS AND WETLANDS ARE PROTECTED DURING RULEMAKING PROCESS
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Requiring The Army Corp Of Engineers And The EPA “To Ensure That Important Surface Waters And Wetlands Are Protected During The New Rulemaking Process This Bill Starts.” In May 2015, 2015, DeSantis voted against requiring that the EPA and the Army Corp of Engineers ensure that important surface waters and wetlands are protecting. According to a floor speech by Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), “If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. This motion is simple. It requires the Army Corps and the EPA to ensure that important surface waters and wetlands are protected during the new rulemaking process this bill starts. This motion requires that the quality of public water supplies be protected. Around the country, we have seen drinking water sources contaminated, like the algal bloom in Lake Erie that forced Toledo, Ohio, to use bottled water. […] California is implementing water use restrictions to deal with the drought, but it doesn’t make sense to take these steps if we don’t make sure the wetlands and waters that recharge them are protected. Finally, this motion guarantees that water used for agriculture, including for irrigation, are safeguarded. California’s agriculture industry depends on clean water, and this motion preserves the exemptions agriculture already gets under regulations. In short, this is a commonsense amendment to the bill to guarantee protections for water used for the public’s drinking supply, for lessening the impact of the drought in California and the West, and for agriculture.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion 175 to 241. [House Vote 218, 5/12/15; Congressional Record, 5/12/15]
DESANTIS VOTED FOR A PROVISION THAT THREATENED WATER RESOURCES IN THE US
2014: DeSantis Voted For A Bill That Included A Provision That Would Threaten Water Resources Across The United States. In September, DeSantis voted to consider a bill containing a provision that would effectively eliminate public review of hardrock mining activities on federally-managed lands, threatening America’s water resources. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The measure includes the provisions of HR 761, which reclassifies certain mining operations as ‘infrastructure projects’ in order to streamline the permitting process for mining on federal lands.” According to the League of Conservation voters, HR 176 “the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013 […] would effectively eliminate public review of hardrock mining activities on federally-managed public lands. The mining industry already enjoys free access to hardrock minerals on public lands, and federal land managers are required by law to give mining precedence over all other uses of public lands. While land managers are not in a position to deny hardrock mining claims, they are able to require mining companies to explain to the public how they will comply with applicable environmental laws. Eliminating this public review process would threaten water resources across the United States and limit the ability of impacted communities to protect their land, water, and health.” This provision was part of a larger bill called the Jobs for America Act. The bill passed the House by a vote of 253-163. The bill died in the Senate. [House Vote 513, 9/18/14; Congressional Quarterly, 9/15/14; GOP.gov, Accessed 9/15/15; Thomas.loc.gov, Accessed 9/15/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/14/14; League of Conservation Voters, Accessed 9/17/15]
2018: DeSantis Voted To Repeal The Waters Of The U.S. Rule. In May 2018, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “repeal[ed] the EPA’s rule regarding the definition of the ‘Waters of the United States’ under the Clean Water Act.” The underlying bill was the 2018 House GOP farm bill. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 238 to 173. The House later rejected the overall farm bill, but on a revote, passed the bill. [House Vote 203, 5/18/18; Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/18; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 633; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Overturn The EPA And The U.S. Army Rule On “Waters Of The United States.” In January 2016, DeSantis voted to overturn the “Waters of the United States” rule via a joint resolution. According to Congressional Quarterly, the joint resolution would have, “provide[d] for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the definition of ‘waters of the United States’ under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act..” According to The Hill, the “regulation set[s] federal authority over small waterways.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the resolution by a vote of 253 to 166. The Senate had already passed the resolution, which after the House’s passage, President Obama vetoed. The Senate afterwards failed to override his veto. [House Vote 45, 1/13/16; Congressional Quarterly, 11/4/15; The Hill, 11/4/15; Congressional Actions, S. J. Res. 22]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit Funds For Obama’s National Ocean Policy. In July 2016, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] funds to implement, administer or enforce the Obama administration’s National Ocean Policy.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 interior and environment appropriations bill. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 237 to 189. The House later passed the underlying bill, but the Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 445, 7/13/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1321; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5538]
2016: DeSantis Voted Against Allowing The Continued Implementation Of Coastal And Marine Spatial Planning Stemming From President Obama’s National Ocean Policy. In May 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “remove[d] a provision in the bill that would bar use of funds for further implementation of the coastal and marine spatial planning and ecosystem-based management components of the National Ocean Policy developed under a 2010 executive order.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 energy and water appropriations bill. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 189 to 228. The underlying bill later failed to pass the House. [House Vote 253, 5/25/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/25/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1109; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5055]
DESANTIS VOTED FOR BILL THAT BOLSTERED SECURITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE U.S. ELECTRIC GRID BUT DID NOT ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE
2015: DeSantis Voted To Increase The United States’ Electric Grid’s Security And Reliability As Part Of A Bill That Overhauled Federal Energy Policy. In December 2015, DeSantis voted for legislation that was designed to increase the security and reliability of the nation’s power grid. According to Congressional Quarterly, “[The legislation] also include[d] numerous provisions intended to increase the security and reliability of the nation’s electrical power grid [and] improve[d] the ability of electric utilities to clear and trim back trees and other vegetation that come into contact with electric lines on public lands rights of way.” The underlying legislation was, according to Reuters, “a wide-ranging bill on energy […] that includes a measure to repeal the 40-year-old oil export ban. […] The bill would also speed the permitting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and improve the aging power grid.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the measure by a vote of 249 to 174. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 672, 12/3/15; Congressional Quarterly, 11/25/15; Reuters, 12/3/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST BOLSTERING THE SECURITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE US ELECTRIC GRID
2015: DeSantis Voted Against Bolstering The Security And Reliability Of The Nation’s Electric Grid As Part Of A Five Year Surface Transportation Reauthorization. In December 2015, DeSantis voted against bolstering the nation’s electric grid as part of a five year surface transportation reauthorization. According to Congressional Quarterly, the conference report would have “require[d] the Energy Department to issue emergency measures to address the security of the nation’s electric grid in order to protect the reliability of the bulk-power system or of defense-critical electric infrastructure during a presidentially issued grid security emergency. It also [would have] require[d] the department to improve communication and coordination between the department’s energy response team, federal partners, state and local governments and the oil and gas industry to address potential energy supply disruptions. The department must also streamline the process for obtaining temporary regulatory relief during these disruptions to speed up emergency response and recovery.” The underlying legislation would have “reauthorize[d] federal-aid highway and transit programs for five years, through fiscal 2020, at increased levels.” The vote was on the conference report. The House approved the legislation by a vote of 359 to 65. The Senate later passed the legislation and the president later signed the legislation. [House Vote 673, 12/3/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/3/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/3/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 22]
2013: DeSantis Voted For An Amendment To Repeal The Sugar-For-Ethanol Program. In June 2013, DeSantis voted for an amendment that, according to the Congressional Research Service, would have made several significant changes to the federal sugar program. Specifically, it “would [have] lower[ed] price support levels to those in effect in FY2008, make a number of changes to require USDA to administer sugar marketing allotments and sugar import quotas in ways that would result in sugar being available ‘at reasonable prices,’ and repeal the sugar-for-ethanol program.” The House rejected the proposed amendment to the House’s version of the 2013 Farm Bill by a vote of 206 to 221. [House Vote 281, 6/20/13; CRS Report #R42551, 11/12/13; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 227; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1947]
2015: DeSantis Voted For Eliminating The Renewable Fuel Standard As Part Of The FY 2016 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for repealing the RFS. According to the Republican Study Committee, “The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is a program that requires fuel sold in the U.S. to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels. However, the standard has caused the dramatic increase in the price of corn, food and gasoline. A reform of the standard would end ethanol fuel-blending mandates. This proposal mirrors Representative Goodlatte’s Renewable Fuel Standard Elimination Act (H.R. 703).” Rep. Bob Goodlatte’s legislation would “eliminates the RFS and makes ethanol compete in the free market.” The underlying budget resolution would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide[d] for $2.804 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2016, not including off-budget accounts. The substitute would call for reducing spending by $7.1 trillion over 10 years compared to the Congressional Budget Office baseline.” The vote was on the substitute amendment to a Budget Resolution. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 132 to 294. [House Vote 138, 3/25/15; Republican Study Committee, FY 2016 Budget; Press Release Rep. Goodlatte, 2/4/15; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/15; Congress.gov, H. Amdt. 83; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 27]
DeSantis Voted For Cutting Funding For Research And Development Of Alternative Energy Sources As Part Of The FY 2014 Ryan Budget. In March 2013, DeSantis voted for cutting funding for research and development of alternative energy sources, as part of House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) proposed budget resolution covering fiscal years 2014 to 2023. According to the House Budget Committee, “The budget provides sufficient funding for essential projects, like energy security and basic research and development. But it pares back spending in areas of duplication and non-core functions, like applied and commercial research and development projects best left to the private sector.” The resolution passed the House by a vote of 221 to 207. [House Vote 88, 3/21/13; House Budget Committee, 3/12/13]
2015: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment That Would Increase Funding For Renewable And Efficient Energy By $26 Million And Cut Funding For Fossil Fuels By $34 Million. In April 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would increase funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy by $26 million and cut funding for fossil fuels by $34 million. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would, “increase funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy by $26 million and reduce funding for fossil energy by $34 million.” The underlying bill would have made, according to Congressional Quarterly, “appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment 173 to 248. [House Vote 198, 4/30/15; Congressional Quarterly, 4/30/15; Congressional Quarterly, Accessed 10/02/15]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Cut Nearly $31 Million From Energy Department Renewable Energy And Energy Efficiency Programs. In July 2014, DeSantis voted for an amendment to the FY 2015 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill that, according to the its stated purpose, “[would have] reduce[d] funds for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs by $22 million; Nuclear Energy Programs by $9,810,000; Fossil Energy Research and Development by $30,935,000; Department of Energy Departmental Administration by $9,551,000; Salaries and Expenses for Nuclear Regulatory Commission by $49,062,000 and to apply $121,358,000 to the spending reduction account.” The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 129 to 290. [House Vote 379, 7/10/14; Congress.Gov, H. Amdt. 993 (113th Congress), Viewed 8/15/14]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Eliminate All $1.8 Billion In FY 2015 Funding For The Energy Department’s Renewable Energy And Energy Efficiency Programs. In July 2014, DeSantis voted for an amendment to the FY 2014 Energy And Water Development Appropriations bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would [have] eliminate[d] the $1.8 billion provided in the bill for energy efficiency and renewable energy activities and transfer the savings to the bill's spending reduction account.” The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 110 to 310. [House Vote 376, 7/9/14; Congressional Quarterly, 7/9/14]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit The Department Of Defense From Purchasing Alternative Energy Unless It Costs The Same And Has The Same Capability As Regular Forms Of Energy. In May 2016, DeSantis voted for an amendment to an FY 2016 defense authorization that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] the Defense Department from purchasing alternative energy unless the cost and capability is equivalent to conventional energy.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2016 defense authorization. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 159 to 266. [House Vote 208, 5/18/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1029; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4909]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Eliminate Rural Renewable Energy Subsidies As Part Of The FY 2016 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for eliminating Rural Renewable Energy Subsidies. According to the Republican Study Committee, the “Eliminate Rural Renewable Energy Subsidies[.] This program should be eliminated beginning in FY 2016, saving the taxpayers $1.35 million per year. This program subsidizes the development of renewable energy programs for small rural businesses and agriculture producers. The federal government should not be in the business of subsidizing inefficient types of energy that would be better produced by the private market. According to GAO, this is just one of 679 different economically unsound initiatives meant to promote green energy.” The underlying budget resolution would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide[d] for $2.804 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2016, not including off-budget accounts. The substitute would call for reducing spending by $7.1 trillion over 10 years compared to the Congressional Budget Office baseline.” The vote was on the substitute amendment to a Budget Resolution. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 132 to 294. [House Vote 138, 3/25/15; Republican Study Committee, FY 2016 Budget; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/15; Congress.gov, H. Amdt. 83; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 27]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit The Defense Department From Entering Into Contracts To Purchase Non-Petroleum Based Fuel As Part Of The FY 2016 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for prohibiting the DoD from purchasing certain biofuels. According to the Republican Study Committee, “Beginning in FY 2016, the Department of Defense should be prohibited from entering into any contract for the procurement or production of any non-petroleum based fuel for use as the same purpose or as a drop-in substitute for petroleum.” The underlying budget resolution would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide[d] for $2.804 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2016, not including off-budget accounts. The substitute would call for reducing spending by $7.1 trillion over 10 years compared to the Congressional Budget Office baseline.” The vote was on the substitute amendment to a Budget Resolution. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 132 to 294. [House Vote 138, 3/25/15; Republican Study Committee, FY 2016 Budget; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/15; Congress.gov, H. Amdt. 83; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 27]
DESANTIS VOTED TO REPEAL ENERGY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR NEW FEDERAL BUILDINGS
2015: DeSantis Voted To Repeal Energy Performance Standards That Require New Federal Buildings To Use No Fossil Fuels As An Energy Source By 2030 As Part Of A Bill That Overhauled Federal Energy Policy. In December 2015, DeSantis voted for legislation that repealed the requirement that new federal buildings receive all of their energy from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “repeal[ed] energy efficiency performance standards under current law that require new federal buildings and those undergoing major renovations as of 2030 to be powered entirely through non-fossil-fuel energy sources (i.e., that the building's energy source not be fueled by coal or natural gas). That requirement for the energy performance design of federal buildings was enacted in 2007.” The underlying legislation was, according to Reuters, “a wide-ranging bill on energy […] that includes a measure to repeal the 40-year-old oil export ban. […] The bill would also speed the permitting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and improve the aging power grid.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the measure by a vote of 249 to 174. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 672, 12/3/15; Congressional Quarterly, 11/25/15; Reuters, 12/3/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8]
2017: DeSantis Voted Against Reducing Funding For Fossil Fuel Research And Development By $355 Million And Against Increasing Funding For Energy Efficiently And Renewable Energy By $177 Million. In July 2017, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “increase[d] by $177 million funding to the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account and would [have] reduce[d] by $355 million funding to the Fossil Fuel Research and Development account.” The underlying legislation was an FY 18 ‘minibus’ appropriations bill. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 181 to 246. [House Vote 420, 7/26/17; Congressional Quarterly, 7/26/17; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 234; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3219]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Reduce Funding For Fossil Energy Research. In May 2016, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “reduce[d] funding for Energy Department fossil energy research and development by $285 million and transfer the amount to the spending reduction account.” The underlying bill was an FY 2017 Energy and Water appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 144 to 275. [House Vote 246, 5/25/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/25/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1098; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5055]
2015: DeSantis Voted Against Cutting Funding For Energy Efficiency And Renewable Energy By Increasing Funding For Fossil Energy Research And Development. In April 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “increase[d] funding for fossil energy research and development by $50 million and reduce funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy by a similar amount.” The underlying legislation was H.R. 2028, which was the FY 2016 Energy and Water Development appropriations act. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 177 to 244. [House Vote 197, 4/30/15; Congressional Quarterly, 4/30/15; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 164; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2028]
DESANTIS VOTED TO ALLOW FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT VIOLATED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT PROMOTED SUSTAINABILITY AND REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
2015: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment That Would Prohibit Federal Funding For Programs That Violated An Executive Order That Promoted Sustainability And Reduction Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. In July 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would prohibit federal funding to violate an executive order that established a sustainability strategy for the federal government and made restrictions of greenhouse gas emissions a priority. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would, “prohibit funds from being used in contravention of an executive order establishing an integrated strategy towards sustainability in the federal government and making reduction of greenhouse gas emissions a priority.” The underlying bill made FY 2016 appropriations for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and other related agencies. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment 189 to 237. No further actions were taken. [House Vote 406, 7/8/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/8/15; Congressional Actions, H.R.2822]
2013: DeSantis Voted Against Funding Department Of Energy Wind Energy Programs. In July 2013, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “bar[red] the Energy Department from using funds in the bill designated for renewable-energy, energy reliability and efficiency activities for wind energy programs.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2014 Energy and Water appropriations bill. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 94 to 329. [House Vote 339, 7/10/13; Congressional Quarterly, 7/10/13; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 297; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2609]
DESANTIS EFFECTIVELY VOTED AGAINST PER-BARREL OIL TAX
2016: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against A $10 Per-Barrel Tax On Oil Proposed By President Obama. In June 2016, DeSantis voted for a concurrent resolution expressing the sense that Congress is opposed to a $10 per-barrel tax on oil. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “express[ed] a sense of Congress in opposition to the president’s proposed $10-per-barrel tax on oil. It also would [have] express[ed] a sense of Congress that lawmakers, in considering future policy, should review potential harms of new taxes on industries that have seen job, revenue and production cuts.” The vote was on passage. The House adopted the legislation by a vote of 253 to 144. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 296, 6/10/16; Congressional Quarterly, 6/10/16; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 112]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Repeal The Oil Export Ban As Part Of A Bill That Overhauled Federal Energy Policy. In December 2015, DeSantis voted for legislation repealing the ban on oil exports. According to Reuters, the legislation was “a wide-ranging bill on energy […] that includes a measure to repeal the 40-year-old oil export ban. […] The bill would also speed the permitting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and improve the aging power grid.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the measure by a vote of 249 to 174. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 672, 12/3/15; Congressional Quarterly, 11/25/15; Reuters, 12/3/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Allow Crude Oil Exports By Lifting The 1975 Ban. In December 2015, DeSantis voted to lift the ban on crude oil exports. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would have, “allow[ed] the export of crude oil produced in the United States by removing the export ban imposed by the 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The amendment would [have] prohibit[ed] U.S. officials from imposing or enforcing restrictions on U.S. crude oil exports, and would [have] require[d] separate reports on how lifting the ban will affect greenhouse gas emissions, national security, and jobs for veterans and women.” The underlying legislation was H.R. 8, an energy security and infrastructure bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House agreed to the amendment by a vote of 255 to 168. The House later passed the legislation, but the Senate took no substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 664, 12/2/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/2/15; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 681; Congressional Actions, H.R 8]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST ALLOWING STATES TO GET SAFETY REVIEW OF PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
2015: DeSantis Voted Against Allowing States To Get A Safety Review Of A Pipeline Transportation Infrastructure Project If Requested. In November 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d] the Transportation secretary to conduct a safety review of pipeline transportation infrastructure project if requested by a state or tribal government.” The underlying legislation was a surface transportation reauthorization. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 160 to 263. [House Vote 590, 11/3/15; Congressional Quarterly, 11/3/15; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 761; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 734; Congressional Quarterly, H.R. 22]
2015: DeSantis Vote Against Increasing Pipeline Safety Funding. In June 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would increase pipeline safety funding. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment, “would increase funding for pipeline safety by $28 million, all of which would come from the Pipeline Safety Fund.” The underlying bill was HR 2577, which according to Congressional Quarterly was a “bill making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2016, and for other purposes.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment 202 to 222. [House Vote 305, 6/4/15; Congressional Quarterly, 6/4/15; Congress.gov, Accessed 10/5/15; Congressional Quarterly, Accessed 10/5/15]
2014: DeSantis Voted For Eliminating The Need For A Presidential Permit To Approve Oil And Gas Pipelines And Electrical Transmission Lines That Cross The U.S. Border Into Canada And Mexico As Part Of The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. In October 2014, DeSantis voted for a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “establishe[d] a new system for the approval and permitting of oil and gas pipelines and electrical transmission lines that cross the U.S. border into Canada and Mexico — eliminating the current system created by executive orders under which a presidential permit must be issued.” The underlying measure was the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. The vote was on the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 228 to 194; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which did not take any substantive action on it. [House Vote 515, 9/18/14; Congressional Quarterly, 9/15/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
2014: DeSantis Voted Against Allowing Oil And Gas Obtained Under A Proposed Expanded Leasing Program To Only Be Exported If Doing So Will Not Increase Gas Or Home Heating Oil Prices. In June 2014, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would [have] require[d] that leases issued under the bill include a clause specifying that oil and natural gas produced under the lease may only be exported if the Interior secretary determines that the exports will not increase the price of gasoline or home heating oil for U.S. consumers. It would [have] require[d] the Interior Department to adhere to timelines for permitting and notify reasons of permit denial only if the applicant agrees not to claim the domestic production activities tax deduction.” The underlying bill, according to a separate Congressional Quarterly article, “would establish a five-year program for oil and gas leasing. The bill would double the cap for offshore oil and gas revenue sharing to $1 billion and require at least 25 percent of eligible federal land be made available each year to lease for oil and gas exploration. Under the bill, the Interior Department would be required to make available for oil and gas exploration and development at least 50 percent of the unleased coastal areas that have the most potential for energy production.” The vote was on a motion to recommit the bill to the House Natural Resources Committee, with instructions that it be reported back immediately with the specified amendment. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 177 to 235. [House Vote 367, 6/26/14; Congressional Quarterly, 6/26/14; Congressional Quarterly, 6/26/14]
2015: DeSantis Voted For The FY 2016 Budget Resolution Which Recommended Opening Up Additional Federal Lands And Water To Oil And Gas Development And To Repeal The Current Ban On U.S. Crude Oil Exports. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for the FY 2016 budget resolution which recommended opening up additional federal lands to oil and gas development to repeal the current ban on U.S. crude oil exports. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The budget recommends opening up additional federal lands and waters to oil and gas development and repealing the current ban on U.S. exports of crude oil.” It also calls for expanding timber harvests on federal lands.” The vote was on the budget resolution. The House passed the resolution 228 to 199. The budget resolution died in the Senate, but a similar concurrent resolution did pass both Houses. [House Vote 142, 3/25/15; Congressional Quarterly, 3/23/15; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res. 27; Congressional Actions, S.Con.Res. 11]
2015: DeSantis Voted For A FY 2016 Budget Resolution Which Recommended Opening Up Additional Federal Lands And Water To Oil And Gas Development And To Repeal The Current Ban On U.S. Crude Oil Exports. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for a FY 2016 Budget Resolution which recommended opening up additional federal lands to oil and gas development to repeal the current ban on U.S. crude oil exports. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The budget recommends opening up additional federal lands and waters to oil and gas development and repealing the current ban on U.S. exports of crude oil.” It also calls for expanding timber harvests on federal lands.” The vote was on adopting the substitute amendment. The House passed the amendment 219 to 208 and later passed the budget resolution. The budget resolution died in the Senate, but a similar concurrent resolution did pass both Houses. [House Vote 141, 3/25/15; Congressional Quarterly, 3/23/15; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res. 27; Congressional Actions, S.Con.Res. 11]
2015: DeSantis Voted For A FY 2016 Budget Resolution Which Recommended Opening Up Additional Federal Lands And Water To Oil And Gas Development And To Repeal The Current Ban On U.S. Crude Oil Exports. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for a FY 2016 Budget Resolution which recommended opening up additional federal lands to oil and gas development to repeal the current ban on U.S. crude oil exports. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The budget recommends opening up additional federal lands and waters to oil and gas development and repealing the current ban on U.S. exports of crude oil.” It also calls for expanding timber harvests on federal lands. The vote was on adopting the substitute amendment. The House rejected the amendment 105 to 319. The House later adopted a substitute amendment identical to this except for a change in defense spending and then later passed the budget resolution. The budget resolution died in the Senate, but a similar concurrent resolution did pass both Houses. [House Vote 140, 3/25/15; Congressional Quarterly, 3/23/15; Congressional Quarterly, 3/30/15; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res. 27; Congressional Actions, S.Con.Res. 11]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Require At Least 25 Percent Of Eligible Federal Lands To Be Made Available Each Year For Leasing As Part Of The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. In October 2014, DeSantis voted to require at least 25 percent of eligible federal lands to be made available each year for leasing as part of the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. According to Congressional Quarterly, the provision “seeks to increase domestic oil and gas production on federal lands and offshore by requiring that at least 25% of eligible federal land be made available each year for leasing, streamlining the process for approving drilling permits, requiring the Interior Department to make available for oil and gas exploration and development at least 50% of the unleased coastal areas that have the most potential for energy production, and requiring that drilling be allowed more immediately off the coasts of California, South Carolina and Virginia.” The underlying measure was the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. The vote was on the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 228 to 194; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which did not take any substantive action on it. [House Vote 515, 9/18/14; Congressional Quarterly, 9/15/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3]
2017: DeSantis Voted For The Final Version Of Trump’s Tax Reform Plan, Which Substantially Cut Taxes For Rich Americans And Corporations, And Opened Up ANWR To Drilling. In December 2017, DeSantis voted for the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, also known as Trump’s tax reform bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, “This Conference Summary deals with the conference report on HR 1, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which the House will consider Tuesday. The agreement significantly cuts corporate and individual taxes and seeks to simply the tax code, although most individual tax provisions would expire after 2025. It reduces the corporate tax from 35% to 21% and reduces taxation of so-called ‘pass-through’ businesses where profits are taxed at the individual rate. For corporate taxes it also establishes a ‘territorial’ tax system that exempts most overseas income from U.S. taxation. Most individual tax rate rates would be reduced, including by dropping the top rate from 39.6% to 37%, and it eliminates personal exemptions but nearly doubles the standard deduction so fewer taxpayers will itemize deductions.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 227 to 203. The Senate later passed a slightly modified version of the bill, which the House later agreed to. President Trump later signed an amended version of the bill into law. [House Vote 692, 12/19/17; Congressional Quarterly, 12/18/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2016: DeSantis Voted Against Designating The Coastal Plain Of The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge As Part Of The National Wilderness Preservation System. In February 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “designate[d] the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness, and therefore a part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.” The underlying legislation was a bill that, according to the AP, would have “expand[ed] access to hunting and fishing areas on public lands, extend[ed] protections for the use of lead bullets in hunting and strip[ped] wolves of federal protections in four states.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 176 to 227. [House Vote 99, 2/26/16; Congressional Quarterly, 2/26/16; AP Via US News & World Report, 2/26/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 961; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2406]
2015: DeSantis Voted For Lifting The Ban On Drilling At The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge As Part Of The FY 2016 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for lifting the drilling ban at ANWR. According to the Republican Study Committee, “This budget proposes opening up new areas of the Outer Continental Shelf for domestic energy production, repealing the ban on energy exploration in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, allowing states to develop resources on federal land within their borders, and stopping the federal government from implementing any hydraulic fracturing regulations in a state that has already issued its own regulations.” The underlying budget resolution would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide[d] for $2.804 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2016, not including off-budget accounts. The substitute would call for reducing spending by $7.1 trillion over 10 years compared to the Congressional Budget Office baseline.” The vote was on the substitute amendment to a Budget Resolution. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 132 to 294. [House Vote 138, 3/25/15; Republican Study Committee, FY 2016 Budget; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/15; Congress.gov, H. Amdt. 83; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 27]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Prevent The U.S. Fish And Wildlife From Implementing Its Conservation Plan For ANWR. In July 2016, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] funds from being used to implement the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s conservation plan for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 interior and environment appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 237 to 191. The House later passed the bill, but the Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 460, 7/13/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1355; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5538]
DESANTIS SUPPORTED OIL AND GAS PERMITS IN ALASKA
2013: DeSantis Voted To Allow The Issuance Of Oil And Gas Permits In The Bristol Bay, Alaska Area. In June 2013, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “bar[red] the Interior secretary from issuing any oil and gas leases for any area in Bristol Bay off the coast of Alaska. It also would nullify provisions in the bill that provide for revenue sharing with coastal states.” The underlying legislation was H.R. 2231, the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 183 235. [House Vote 299, 6/28/13; Congressional Quarterly, 6/28/13; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 241; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2231]
DESANTIS VOTED TO EXEMPT COAL WASTE FROM PARTICULAR POLLUTION STANDARDS
2018: DeSantis Voted To Permanently Exempt Coal Waste Burning Power Plants From Particular Pollution Standards. In March 2018, DeSantis voted for legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “subject[ed] an electricity-generating unit that can get at least 75 percent of its energy from coal mining byproduct to the original emissions standards as set in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), rather than the lowered emissions totals currently set through 2020. It would not [have] allow[ed] for unused emissions to be transferred to other entities, but would [have] allow[ed] for unused emissions to be added to future compliance periods. The bill would [have] also alter[ed] standards under which an electricity-generating unit could meet the Clear Air Act’s (PL-91-604) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule through meeting requirements for either sulfur dioxide or hydrogen chloride, but not for both.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 215 to 189. [House Vote 101, 3/8/18; Congressional Quarterly, 3/8/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1119]
DESANTIS VOTED TO DISAPPROVE STREAM BUFFER RULE
2017: DeSantis Voted To Disapprove The Stream Buffer Rule. In February 2017, DeSantis voted for disapproving the Stream Buffer Rule via the Congressional Review Act. According to Congressional Quarterly, “This resolution disapproves the rule issued by the Labor Department on Dec. 20, 2016 (commonly known as the Stream Buffer rule) that requires surface coal mining operations to be designed to minimize the amount of waste placed outside the mined-out area. The measure provides that the rule will have no force or effect.” The vote was on the legislation. The House agreed to the legislation by a vote of 228 to 194. The Senate later passed the legislation, which President Trump signed into law. [House Vote 73, 2/1/17; Congressional Quarterly, 1/27/17; Congressional Actions, H. J. Res. 38]
2016: DeSantis Voted Against Finalizing Or Implementing The Stream Buffer Zone Rule. In July 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “remove[d] the bill’s prohibition on finalizing or implementing proposed Interior Department rules that would require a ‘stream buffer zone’ between a mining operation and a surface body of water for the purposes of preventing river contamination.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 interior and environment appropriations bill. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 190 to 235. The House later passed the underlying bill, but the Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 421, 7/12/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/12/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1288; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5538]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Delay The Stream Buffer Rule For At Least Three Years. In January 2016, DeSantis voted for legislation to delay the stream buffer rule for at least three years. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have, “prevent[ed] the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) from issuing any final rules related to coal mining activities near streams, including updating a stream buffer zones (SBZ) rule, until after the National Academy of Sciences submits a study on the effectiveness of the existing rules in effect — which would effectively delay any new or revised SBZ rules for at least three years. It also require[d] the agency to make public all scientific data that is used in developing the rule prior to it being issued.” The vote was on passage. The House approved the bill by a vote of 235 to 188, but the Senate took no substantive action on it. The Senate has not yet acted on the bill. [House Vote 42, 1/12/16; Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1644]
2016: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Prohibiting Delaying The Stream Buffer Rule If Its Delay Would Cause Imminent Or Long Term Harm To Human Health In Communities Near Mountaintop Coal Projects. In January 2016, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] the bill's delay of the stream buffer rule if the delay would cause an imminent or long-term threat to human life or increase the prevalence of lung cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, birth defects, or heavy metal contamination in communities near mountaintop removal coal mining projects.” The underlying bill would have, also according to Congressional Quarterly, “prevent[ed] the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) from issuing any final rules related to coal mining activities near streams, including updating a stream buffer zones (SBZ) rule, until after the National Academy of Sciences submits a study on the effectiveness of the existing rules in effect — which would effectively delay any new or revised SBZ rules for at least three years. It also require[d] the agency to make public all scientific data that is used in developing the rule prior to it being issued.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 186 to 237. [House Vote 41, 1/12/16; Congressional Quarterly, 1/12/16; Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1644]
2016: DeSantis Voted Against Exempting Rules Deals With Long-Term Health Conditions From A Bill That Would Prevent The Implement New Mining Regulations. In January 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “exempt[ed] rules from the bill’s requirements if the rule causes or significantly contributes to the development of chronic or long-term health conditions.” The underlying bill would have, also according to Congressional Quarterly, “prevent[ed] the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) from issuing any final rules related to coal mining activities near streams, including updating a stream buffer zones (SBZ) rule, until after the National Academy of Sciences submits a study on the effectiveness of the existing rules in effect — which would effectively delay any new or revised SBZ rules for at least three years. It also require[d] the agency to make public all scientific data that is used in developing the rule prior to it being issued.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 190 to 235. [House Vote 40, 1/12/16; Congressional Quarterly, 1/12/16; Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 908; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1644]
DESANTIS VOTED TO BLOCK THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT FROM ISSUING NEW COAL WASTE BUFFER-ZONE RULES UNTIL STATES IMPLEMENTED THE EXISTING 2008 BUFFER-ZONE RULE
2014: DeSantis Voted For Blocking The Department Of The Interior From Issuing New Coal Waste Buffer-Zone Rules Until States Implemented The Existing 2008 Buffer-Zone Rule As Part Of The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. In October 2014, DeSantis voted for a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) from issuing any new regulations on stream buffer zones and stream protection from mining (particularly mountaintop mining often used to mine coal), until states have implemented a stream buffer zone (SBZ) rule issued in 2008 under the Bush administration and OSM for five years has evaluated the effectiveness of that rule.” The underlying measure was the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. The vote was on the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 228 to 194; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which did not take any substantive action on it. [House Vote 515, 9/18/14; Congressional Quarterly, 9/15/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
DESANTIS VOTED TO LIMIT THE EPA’S AUTHORITY TO REGULATE BYPRODUCTS FROM BURNING COAL
Using Coal Mining Byproducts As A Power Source
2016: DeSantis Voted To Modify EPA Regulations By Lowering Their Standards To Allow Power Plants That Use Coal Mining Byproduct As A Power Source. In March 2016, DeSantis voted for a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “subject[ed] an electric generating unit that get at least 75 percent of its energy from coal mining byproduct to the original emissions standards as set in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), rather than the lowered emissions totals that have been set as the standard for 2017 through 2020. The bill would also not allow for unused emissions to be transferred to other entities, but would allow for the unused emissions to be added to future compliance periods. Additionally, the bill would alter standards under which an electric generating unit could meet the Clean Air Act’s (PL 91-604) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule through meeting requirements for either sulfur dioxide or hydrogen chloride, but not for both.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the legislation by a vote of 231 to 183. The Senate has taken no substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 123, 3/15/16; Congressional Quarterly, 3/15/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3797]
DeSantis Voted To Limit EPA’s Authority To Regulate Coal Byproducts
2013: DeSantis Voted To Limit The EPA’s Authority To Regulate Byproducts From Burning Coal. In July 2013, DeSantis voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “let states create and implement their own permit programs for coal combustion residuals (CCR). It would [have] authorize[d] the EPA to review state permit programs, but it also would [have] place[d] limitations on that review. The EPA would [have] be[en] allowed to regulate CCR in states that fail to set up their own programs or in states where the permit program is determined to be deficient and is not remedied by the state. As amended it would [have] require[d] states to update their certification documents with EPA and include in those documents a state emergency action plan for responding to spills or leaks.” The House approved the bill by a vote of 265 to 155; however, the Senate has not taken any substantive action on it. [House Vote 418, 7/25/13; Congressional Quarterly, 7/25/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2218]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST REQUIRING GROUNDWATER PROTECTION FROM COAL ASH CONTAMINATION
DeSantis Voted At Least Twice Against Requiring Groundwater Protection From Coal Ash Contamination
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Requiring Groundwater Protection From Coal Ash Contamination. In July 2015, DeSantis effectively voted against explicitly protecting groundwater from coal ash contamination. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have, “recommit[ed] the bill to the House Energy and Commerce Committee with instructions to report back with an amendment that would require implementing agencies to require that all surface impoundment structures meet criteria sufficient to prevent toxic contamination of ground water and to protect drinking water sources, including the Great Lakes.” The underlying measure “would establish minimum federal standards regarding the disposal and storage of coal combustion residuals (CCR) that would codify parts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule regarding coal ash, while superseding other elements of the rule.” The vote was on the amendment and the House rejected it 184 to 240. [House Vote 457, 4/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 4/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/22/15]
2015: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment That Required All Inactive Surface Impoundments For Coal Ash To Follow EPA Standards For Groundwater Monitoring. In July 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that required inactive surface impoundments for coal ash disposal to follow the EPA’s groundwater monitoring standards. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have, “require[d] all inactive surface impoundments to follow post-closure groundwater monitoring standards in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rule.” The underlying measure “would establish minimum federal standards regarding the disposal and storage of coal combustion residuals (CCR) that would codify parts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule regarding coal ash, while superseding other elements of the rule.” The vote was on passage and the House rejected the amendment 177 to 245. [House Vote 454, 7/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/22/15]
DeSantis Voted Against Requiring Coal Ash Facilities To Survey Nearby Drinking Water Supplies And Provide Alternative Sources If The Water Was Contaminated
2015: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Required Coal Ash Facilities To Survey Nearby Drinking Water Supplies And Provide Alternative Sources Within 24 Hours If The Water Was Contaminated. In July 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have “require[d] the owner or operator of a coal combustion residuals surface impoundment to survey all nearby drinking water supply wells and to supply an alternative source of safe drinking water within 24 hours if well water sampling exceeds groundwater quality standards for constituents associated with the presence of coal combustion residuals,” according to Congressional Quarterly. The underlying measure “would establish minimum federal standards regarding the disposal and storage of coal combustion residuals (CCR) that would codify parts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule regarding coal ash, while superseding other elements of the rule.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment 192 to 231. [House Vote 455, 7/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/22/15]
DeSantis Voted Against Requiring Utilities To Disclose Coal Ash Contamination In Groundwater
2015: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Required Utilities To Disclose Coal Ash Contamination In Groundwater. In July 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have “preserve[d] transparency requirements in EPA’s final coal ash rule to ensure public access to information and accountability,” according to the description of the amendment on Congress.gov. The underlying measure was a bill which “would establish minimum federal standards regarding the disposal and storage of coal combustion residuals (CCR) that would codify parts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule regarding coal ash, while superseding other elements of the rule.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment 177 to 244. [House Vote 453, 7/22/15; Congress.gov, H. Amdt. 673 to H.R. 1734; Congressional Quarterly, 7/22/15]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST ALLOWING THE EPA TO DETERMINE HOW COAL WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
2015: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Prevented The Underlying Bill From Going Into Effect If The EPA Determined It Would Negatively Impact Vulnerable Populations. In July 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have “prohibit[ed] the measure from going into effect if the Environmental Protection Agency determines it will have a negative impact on vulnerable populations, such as infants, children, the elderly, and other subsections of the population identified as vulnerable,” according to Congressional Quarterly. The underlying measure “would establish minimum federal standards regarding the disposal and storage of coal combustion residuals (CCR) that would codify parts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule regarding coal ash, while superseding other elements of the rule.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment 180 to 240. No further action was taken. [House Vote 456, 7/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/22/15]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Expedite Decisions On Applications On Natural Gas Exportation As Part Of A Bill That Overhauled Federal Energy Policy. In December 2015, DeSantis voted for legislation that would expedite decisions on natural gas exports. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The bill requires the Energy Department to expedite decisions on applications to export natural gas (usually in the form of liquefied natural gas, or LNG), setting a deadline for the department to approve or deny an application to within 30 days of the bill’s enactment or the close of the application’s public comment period, whichever is later. Under the measure, all export applications must publicly disclose the specific nation or nations that would receive the proposed export of LNG.” The underlying legislation was, according to Reuters, “a wide-ranging bill on energy […] that includes a measure to repeal the 40-year-old oil export ban. […] The bill would also speed the permitting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and improve the aging power grid.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the measure by a vote of 249 to 174. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 672, 12/3/15; Congressional Quarterly, 11/25/15; Reuters, 12/3/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Require The Department Of Energy Make A Decision On Pending Applications To Export Liquid Natural Gas Within 30 Days, Or At The End Of An Applications Public Comment, Whichever Is Later. In January 2015, DeSantis voted for legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d] the Energy Department to make a decision on pending applications to export liquefied natural gas within 30 days of the bill’s enactment or at the end of the public comment period, whichever is later. Under the bill, applications would have to publicly disclose the countries that would receive the proposed exports. It also would [have] authorize[d] the U.S. Court of Appeals for the circuit where the proposed export facility will be located to exercise original and exclusive jurisdiction over any civil action pertaining to such applications. The court would be required to order the Energy Department to approve any applications within 30 days if it finds the agency did not issue a decision by the bill’s deadline.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 277 to 133. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 50, 1/28/15; Congressional Quarterly, 1/28/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 351]
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Barring The Exportation Of Liquefied Natural Gas To Nations That Sponsor Terrorism. In January 2015, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] the exportation of liquefied natural gas to any nation that is a state sponsor of terrorism and to require that such exports be transported by U.S.-flagged and made vessels.” The underlying legislation would have, also according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d] the Energy Department to make a decision on pending applications to export liquefied natural gas within 30 days of the bill’s enactment or at the end of the public comment period, whichever is later.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 175 to 237. [House Vote 49, 1/28/15; Congressional Quarterly, 1/28/15; Congressional Quarterly, 1/28/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 351]
2014: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Barring The Exportation Of Natural Gas To Nations That Sponsor Terrorism Or Obtains Military Technology Through Cyber Attacks. In June 2014, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “bar[red] the Energy Department from granting authorization for applicants to export natural gas if the export would increase the price of natural gas, electricity or home heating for seniors on fixed incomes. It would [have] bar[red] authorization if the gas would be exported to any nation that is a state sponsor of terrorism or any nation or corporation that illegally obtains military technology or intellectual property through cyber attacks.” The underlying legislation would have, also according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d] the Energy Department to expedite decisions on applications to export liquefied natural gas.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 192 to 225. [House Vote 358, 6/25/14; Congressional Quarterly, 6/25/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6]
2014: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Barring The Department Of Energy From Granting Natural Gas Exportation Authorizations If It Would Increase The Price Of Natural Gas, Electricity Or Home Heating For Seniors Living On A Fixed Income. In June 2014, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “bar[red] the Energy Department from granting authorization for applicants to export natural gas if the export would increase the price of natural gas, electricity or home heating for seniors on fixed incomes. It would [have] bar[red] authorization if the gas would be exported to any nation that is a state sponsor of terrorism or any nation or corporation that illegally obtains military technology or intellectual property through cyber attacks.” The underlying legislation would have, also according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d] the Energy Department to expedite decisions on applications to export liquefied natural gas.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 192 to 225. [House Vote 358, 6/25/14; Congressional Quarterly, 6/25/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6]
DESANTIS VOTED TO EXPEDITE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR NATURAL GAS PIPELINES
Expediting Permitting For Natural Gas Pipelines
2015: DeSantis Voted To Expedite The Permitting Process For Natural Gas Pipelines. In December 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “remove[d] the bill’s changes to the permitting process of pipelines.” The underlying legislation was H.R. 8, an energy security and infrastructure bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 179 to 244. [House Vote 657, 12/2/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/2/15; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 840; Congressional Actions, H.R 8]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Remove The Need For Presidential Approval For Future Pipeline Projects That Cross The Mexican Or Canadian Border. In June 2014, DeSantis voted for legislation that would require many future oil and gas pipelines that cross international borders to be reviewed by the Secretary of State or Energy within 120 days. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “require[d] future oil and gas pipeline projects and power lines that cross international borders to be reviewed by the State or Energy secretary within 120 days of the environmental review, unless the agency finds the project is not in the public interest of the United States. It would [have] eliminate[d] the current system created by executive orders under which a presidential permit must be issued.” The vote was on passage. The House adopted the legislation by a vote of 238 to 173. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 354, 6/24/14; Congressional Quarterly, 6/24/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3301]
2014: DeSantis Voted For Requiring The Department Of Energy To Expedite The Approval Of Liquified Natural Gas Exports As Part Of The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. In October 2014, DeSantis voted for a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d]the Energy Department to expedite decisions on applications to export liquified [sic] natural gas, requiring the department to approve or deny an application within 90 days of the bill’s enactment or the close of the application’s public comment period, whichever is later.” The underlying measure was the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. The vote was on the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 228 to 194; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which did not take any substantive action on it. [House Vote 515, 9/18/14; Congressional Quarterly, 9/15/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
2015: DeSantis Voted For An Amendment That Would Prohibit The Use Of Federal Funds For The Department Of Energy’s Climate Model Development And Validation Program. In May 2015, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would prohibit the use of federal funds for the Department of Energy’s Climate Model Development and Validation Program. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would, “prohibit funds made available under the act from being used for the Energy Department's Climate Model Development and Validation program.” The underlying bill was the House’s FY 2016 Energy and Water appropriations bill. The vote was on agreement to the amendment and the House passed the amendment 224 to 184. The underlying bill was reported to the Senate appropriations committee. No further action has been taken. [House Vote 209, 5/1/15; Congressional Quarterly, 5/1/15; Congressional Quarterly, 10/2/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2028; CRS Summary of H.R. 2028, 5/21/15]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Block Funding For Several Climate Change-Related Science And Development Reports, Including The National Climate Assessment And The Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change’s Fifth Assessment Report. In July 2014, DeSantis voted for an amendment to the FY 2015 Energy Department and Water Development Appropriations bill that, according to the Congressional Record, stated that “None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to design, implement, administer, or carry out the United States Global Climate Research Program National Climate Assessment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Fifth Assessment Report, the United Nation's [sic] Agenda 21 sustainable development plan, the May 2013 Technical Update of the Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis Under Executive Order 12866, or the July 2014 Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations’ pathways to deep decarbonization report.” The House agreed to the amendment by a vote of 229 to 188, and later passed the underlying bill. As of August 2014, the Senate has not taken any substantive action on the House-passed bill. [House Vote 397, 7/10/14; Congressional Record, 7/10/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4923]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Block The Department Of Defense From Assessing Or Reporting On Climate Change. In May 2014, DeSantis voted for an amendment to the FY 2015 National Defense Authorization bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would bar the use of funds in the bill to conduct climate change assessments and reports.” The House agreed to the amendment by a vote of 231 to 192. The House subsequently passed the underlying bill; however, the Senate has taken no substantive action on the House-passed bill as of late June, 2014. [House Vote 231, 5/22/14; Congressional Quarterly, 5/22/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4435]
2018: DeSantis Voted Against Decreasing Fossil Energy Research Funding And Increasing Funding For Advanced Research, Each By $28.3 Million. In June 2018, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “decrease[d] funding for fossil energy research and development at the Energy Department by $28.3 million, and would [have] increase[d] funding for advanced research projects at the department by the same amount.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2019 minibus of Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 204 to 214. [House Vote 245, 6/7/18; Congressional Quarterly, 6/7/18; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 730; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5895]
2017: DeSantis Voted Against Reducing Funding For Fossil Fuel Research And Development By $355 Million And Against Increasing Funding For Energy Efficiently And Renewable Energy By $177 Million. In July 2017, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “increase[d] by $177 million funding to the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account and would [have] reduce[d] by $355 million funding to the Fossil Fuel Research and Development account.” The underlying legislation was an FY 18 ‘minibus’ appropriations bill. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 181 to 246. [House Vote 420, 7/26/17; Congressional Quarterly, 7/26/17; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 234; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3219]
2016: DeSantis Voted Against Increasing Funding For Energy Efficiency And Renewable Energy And Reducing Funding For Fossil Energy Research By $13 Million. In May 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “reduce[d] funding for Energy Department fossil energy research and development by $13 million and increase[d] funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy activities by roughly $10 million.” The underlying bill was an FY 2017 Energy and Water appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 167 to 251. [House Vote 245, 5/25/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/25/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1096; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5055]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Increase Funding For Fossil Energy Research By $45 Million. In May 2016, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “reduce[d] funding for Energy Department energy efficiency and renewable energy activities by $50 million and increase funding for fossil energy research and development by $45 million.” The underlying bill was an FY 2017 Energy and Water appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 182 to 236. [House Vote 243, 5/25/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/25/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1090; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5055]
DESANTIS SIGNED LEGISLATION TO RESTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM REGULATING ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
2021: Ron DeSantis Signed Into Law Legislation That Established State Preemption Over Gas Stations And Transportation Infrastructure And Prohibited Local Governments From Regulating Or Prohibiting The Development Of Fuel Retailers And Necessary Related Transportation Infrastructure. In June 2021, according to the Florida Senate, Ron DeSantis signed into law House Bill 839, which “expressly preempt[ed] a municipality, county, special district, or political subdivision from adopting a law, an ordinance, a regulation, a policy, or a resolution that: Prohibits the siting, development, or redevelopment of a fuel retailer or its necessary related transportation infrastructure; Results in a de facto prohibition on a fuel retailer or its necessary related transportation infrastructure; Requires a fuel retailer to install or invest in a particular kind of fuel infrastructure. The bill [did] not preempt any such action which is consistent with zoning, land use, and other allowable uses and general law, as long as it does not result in a de facto prohibition of fuel retailers or related transportation infrastructure. Definitions for the terms ‘fuel retailer,’ and ‘related transportation energy infrastructure’ are provided for in the bill.” [Florida Senate, Accessed on 10/4/22; Florida Senate, H.B. 839]
2021: DeSantis Signed Into Law Legislation That Established State Preemption Over The Regulation Of Fuel Types Used By Utilities, Nullified Local Regulations That Were In Place Before July 2021, And Prohibited Local Governments From Controlling The Fuel Sources Used By Utilities In Their Jurisdictions. In June 2021, according to the Florida Senate, DeSantis signed into law House Bill 919, which “prohibit[ed] municipalities, counties, special districts, or other political subdivisions from enacting or enforcing a resolution, ordinance, rule, code, or policy that restricts or prohibits, or has the effect of restricting or prohibiting the types or the fuel sources of energy production used, delivered, converted, or supplied to customers by: Public or electric utilities; Entities created pursuant to an interlocal agreement that generate, sell, or transmit electrical energy; Natural gas utilities or transmission companies; or Liquid petroleum gas dealers, dispensers, or cylinder exchange operators. The bill expressly state[d] that a municipality’s board or a governmental entity is not prevented from passing rules, regulations, or policies governing an electric or natural gas utility that it owns or operates and directly controls. The bill further state[d] that it does not expand or alter the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission over public or electric utilities. The bill void[ed] any charter, resolution, ordinance, rule, code, policy, or action by any municipality, county, special district, or political subdivision, existing on or before the bill’s effective date, which is preempted by this bill.” [Florida Senate, Accessed on 10/4/22; Florida Senate, H.B. 919]
DESANTIS VOTED TO MODIFY QUALIFICATION PROCESS FOR EPA’S SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
The EPA’s Science Advisory Board, Established In 1978, Is To Advise The Agency And Interested Congressional Committees; Board Requires At Least Nine Members, Appointed By The EPA Administrator For Three Year Terms. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The Science Advisory Board within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1978 by the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act […] to provide scientific advice to the agency and interested congressional committees as requested. According to the EPA, the board’s mission includes reviewing the quality and relevance of the scientific and technical information being used or proposed as the basis for agency regulations; reviewing research programs and the technical basis of applied programs; reviewing generic approaches to regulatory science, including guidelines governing the use of scientific and technical information in regulatory decisions, and critiquing such analytic methods as mathematical modeling; advising the agency on broad scientific matters in science, technology, social and economic issues; and advising the agency on emergency and other short-notice programs. […] The 1978 act establishing the board requires a minimum of nine members who are appointed by the EPA administrator to serve a three-year term and may be reappointed for a second term; currently, the board contains 51 members. There are no statutory guidelines governing the selection process for board members.” [Congressional Quarterly, 3/17/15]
DeSantis Voted To Modify The Selection And Qualification Process For The EPA’s Science Advisory Board
2017: DeSantis Voted For A Bill That Would Modify The Selection And Qualification Process For The EPA’s Science Advisory Board. In March 2017, DeSantis voted for a bill that would modify the qualifications and selection process for the EPA’s Science Advisory Board. According to Congressional Quarterly, the bill would, “establish a selection process for members of the EPA’s Science Advisory Board. The bill would require the board's members represent a variety of scientific and technical viewpoints. It would require board member nominees to disclose financial relationships that would be relevant to EPA advisory activities. It would require the board to generally avoid making policy determinations or recommendations to the EPA.” The vote was on passage and the House passed the bill 236 to 181. The Senate took no substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 208, 3/30/17; Congressional Quarterly, 3/30/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1029]
2015: DeSantis Voted For A Bill That Would Modify The Selection And Qualification Process For The EPA’s Science Advisory Board. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for a bill that would modify the qualifications and selection process for the EPA’s Science Advisory Board. According to Congressional Quarterly, the bill would, “modify the qualifications and selection process for individuals to serve on EPA's Science Advisory Board. The bill would require that there is a balance of scientific views on the board and it would expand the disclosure requirements for members of the board. It also requires the board and its subcommittees to publicly release scientific information used in determining its advisories to EPA.” The vote was on passage and the House passed the bill 236 to 181. The Senate has yet to act on the bill. [House Vote 121, 3/17/15; Congressional Quarterly, 3/17/15; Congressional Quarterly, Accessed 10/2/15]
DeSantis Voted Against Barring Having Certain People Barred From Serving On The EPA’s Science Advisory Board
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Prohibiting CEOs Or Individuals Whose Primary Source Of Research Funds Are Associated With Corporations Convicted Of Major Environmental Crimes From Serving On The EPA Science Advisory Board. In March 2015, DeSantis voted against banning CEOs of corporations convicted of major environmental crimes from serving on the EPA Advisory Board. According to Congressional Quarterly, the vote would have “prohibit[ed] board members who are CEOs or individuals whose primary source of research funds are associated with corporations convicted of major environmental crimes.” The underlying bill would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “modify the qualifications and selection process for individuals to serve on EPA’s Science Advisory Board. The bill would require that there is a balance of scientific views on the board and it would expand the disclosure requirements for members of the board. It also requires the board and its subcommittees to publicly release scientific information used in determining its advisories to EPA.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 179 to 237. The House later passed the underlying bill, but the Senate has yet to take up the bill. [House Vote 120, 3/17/15; Congressional Quarterly, Congressional Quarterly, 3/17/15; House Vote 121, 3/17/15]
2014: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Barring People From Serving On The EPA’s Science Advisory Board If They Represent A Corporation With A Financial Interests In A Board Decision’s Outcome. In November 2014, DeSantis effectively voted against people from serving on the EPA’s Science Advisory Board if they represent a corporation with a financial interests in a board decision’s outcome. According to Congressional Quarterly, the motion to recommit would have “bar[red] people from serving on the Science Advisory Board if they represent a corporation or a trade association with a financial interest in the outcome of the board's decisions.” The underlying bill was the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act. The vote was on the motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 195 to 225. [House Vote 524, 11/18/14; Congressional Quarterly, 11/18/14]
DESANTIS CRITICIZED EPA FOR OVERREACH
DeSantis Said The Environmental Protection Agency Was An “Impediment For People Trying To Do The Right Thing” And That The Agency Had “Gone Beyond Core Protection Of Environment.” According to DeSantis at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Speaker Series, “Question: Private industry fed up with the EPA. President spoke about reducing size? DeSantis: movement to do that. Recognition that it's impediment for people trying to do the right thing. Gone beyond core protection of environment. Bureaucracy. Reform efforts underway now.” [Ron DeSantis at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Spring Speaker Series, 4/17/17]
DESANTIS VOTED TO DECREASE EPA FUNDING IN CONGRESS
2018: DeSantis Voted Against The $1.3 Trillion FY 2018 Omnibus Spending Deal Which Raised Spending By $138 Billion Over FY 2017 Levels, Including A $763 Million Increase For The EPA. In March 2018, DeSantis voted against the FY 2018 Omnibus spending bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Combined, the spending measures would provide about $1.3 trillion in discretionary spending, with $1.2 trillion subject to discretionary spending caps, and $78.1 billion designated as Overseas Contingency Operations funds. The measure's spending levels are consistent with the increased defense and non-defense budget caps set by the two-year budget deal agreed to last month. That agreement increased the FY 2018 defense cap by $80 billion and the non-defense cap by $63 billion. Given that the previous caps were set to reduce overall discretionary spending by $5 billion, the net increase provided by the omnibus is $138 billion over the FY 2017 level.” The vote was on the motion to concur in the Senate Amendment with an Amendment. The House agreed to the motion, thereby passing the bill, by a vote of 256 to 167. The Senate later agreed to the legislation, sending it to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 127, 3/22/18; Congressional Quarterly, 3/22/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1625]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Decrease Funding For The EPA By 17 Percent. In July 2016, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “decrease[d] all appropriations under the bill for the Environmental Protection Agency by 17 percent.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 interior and environment appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 188 to 239. [House Vote 456, 7/13/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1346; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5538]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Suggest That Funding For The Environmental Protection Agency Should Be “Reduced Significantly” As Part Of The FY 2016 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for suggesting that EPA funding should be reduced. According to the Republican Study Committee, “Beginning in FY 2016, funding for the EPA should be significantly reduced, saving the taxpayers billions of dollars per year and giving much-needed regulatory certainty to job creators.” The underlying budget resolution would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide[d] for $2.804 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2016, not including off-budget accounts. The substitute would call for reducing spending by $7.1 trillion over 10 years compared to the Congressional Budget Office baseline.” The vote was on the substitute amendment to a Budget Resolution. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 132 to 294. [House Vote 138, 3/25/15; Republican Study Committee, FY 2016 Budget; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/15; Congress.gov, H. Amdt. 83; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 27]
2017: DeSantis Voted For Closing EPA Regional Offices. In September 2017, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] the use of funds made appropriated by the bill to close or consolidate any regional office of the EPA.” The underlying legislation was a legislative vehicle for an FY 2018 Omnibus appropriations bill. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 201 to 212. The House later passed the overall bill. [House Vote 490, 9/13/17; Congressional Quarterly, 9/13/17; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 370; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3354]
DeSantis Voted Against Increasing Funding For EPA Environmental Programs And Management
2015: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment That Increased Funding For EPA Environmental Programs And Management By Almost $2 Million And Offset That Cost By Taking The Same Amount From Department Of The Interior Operations Funding. In July 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would increase funding for EPA Environmental Programs and Management by almost $2 million, offset by an equal reduction to Interior Department operations. According to Congressional Quarterly the amendment would have, “increase[d] funding for EPA Environmental Programs and Management by $2 million, offset by an equal reduction to Interior Department operations.” The underlying measure was the FY 2015 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The vote was on the amendment. The House of Representatives rejected the amendment by a vote of 188 to 239. [House Vote 396, 7/8/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/28/15; Congressional Actions H.R. 2822, 7/28/15]
DESANTIS VOTED TO DELAY EPA RULES PENDING ALL JUDICIAL REVIEWS
2015: DeSantis Voted For Requiring EPA’s Rules From Being Delayed Pending All Judicial Reviews. In June 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would remove the bill's requirements that EPA's rules are to be delayed pending to resolution of all judicial reviews. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would “remove the bill’s requirements that EPA’s rules are to be delayed pending to resolution of all judicial reviews and instead require a state's public utility commission to conduct an analysis of any state or federal plan.” The underlying measure was the Ratepayer Protection Act, which according to Congressional Quarterly, “would postpone the dates by when states and existing fossil-fuel power plants must comply with current or future EPA rules to reduce carbon emissions until all judicial challenges are completed, and it allows state governors to opt out of developing an emissions reduction plan or complying with a federal plan for existing plants if he or she determines that the requirement would have an adverse effect on electricity ratepayers.” The vote was on the amendment. The amendment was rejected by a vote of 177 to 250. [House Vote 383, 6/24/15; Congressional Quarterly, 6/24/15; Congressional Quarterly, 6/24/15]
DESANTIS VOTED AT LEAST TWICE TO PROHIBIT THE EPA FROM FINALIZING NEW ENERGY-RELATED REGULATIONS
2014: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit The EPA From Finalizing New Energy-Related Regulations If The Measures Cost More Than $1 Billion If The Energy Department Determines The Rules Would Hurt The Economy As Part Of The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. In October 2014, DeSantis voted for a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] [the] EPA from finalizing energy-related regulations estimated to cost more than $1 billion if the Energy Department determines that the regulations will cause significant adverse effects to the economy.” The underlying measure was the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. The vote was on the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 228 to 194; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which did not take any substantive action on it. [House Vote 515, 9/18/14; Congressional Quarterly, 9/15/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
2013: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit The EPA From Finalizing New Energy-Related Regulations If The Measures Cost More Than $1 Billion And The Energy Department Determines The Rules Would Hurt The Economy. In August 2013, DeSantis voted for a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] the EPA from finalizing energy-related regulations estimated to cost more than $1 billion if the Energy Department determine[d] that the rule would cause significant adverse effects to the economy. If the EPA determine[d] that a proposed regulation would cost more than $1 billion, it would have [had] to submit a report to Congress and the Energy Department. As amended, the bill would [have] require[d] the EPA to make publicly available all data and documents relied upon by the agency to develop estimates of a rule’s benefits.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 232 to 181, however, the Senate took no substantive action. [House Vote 432, 8/1/13; Congressional Quarterly, 8/1/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1582]
DESANTIS VOTED TO PROHIBIT THE EPA FROM CREATING ENERGY RULES WITHOUT RESEARCH ENTIRELY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC
2017: DeSantis Voted For Prohibiting The EPA From Making Rules Unless The Rule Is Based On Research That Is Entirely Publically Available. In March 2017, DeSantis voted for prohibiting the EPA from making rules unless the all the rule is based on research that is entirely publically available. According to Congressional Quarterly, the bill would have “prohibit[ed] the EPA from proposing, finalizing or disseminating a rule, regulation or standard unless the scientific and technical information on which the EPA’s decisions relied is publicly available for independent analysis. It would [have] require[d] any personally identifiable information, trade secrets or sensitive business information to be redacted prior to the publication of the scientific information.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the legislation by a vote of 228 to 194. [House Vote 206, 3/29/17; Congressional Quarterly, 3/29/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1430]
2015: DeSantis Voted For Prohibiting The EPA From Making Rules Unless The Rule Is Based On Research That Is Entirely Publicly Available. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for prohibiting the EPA from making rules unless the all the rule is based on research that is entirely publically available. According to Congressional Quarterly, the bill would have “would [have] prohibit[ed] the EPA from proposing, finalizing or disseminating a rule or other covered action unless all scientific and technical information used to decide upon the rule is made available to the public so the research can be independently analyzed and reproduced.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 241 to 175. The Senate has not yet acted on the bill. [House Vote 125, 3/18/15; Congressional Quarterly, 3/18/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1030]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit The Use Of Studies With Confidential Health Information In EPA Rulemaking. In November 2014, DeSantis voted for a bill that, according to the League of Conservation Voters, “would cripple the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use the best available science in setting critical public health safeguards. H.R. 4012 would severely restrict the scope of scientific studies that the EPA is able to use when setting health standards by prohibiting the use of peer-reviewed studies with confidential health information.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 237 to 190; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which has not taken any substantive action on it. [House Vote 528, 11/19/14; League of Conservation Voters, Accessed 19/25/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4012]
2015: DeSantis Voted Against Five Percent Less Than Request For The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Budget As Part Of The FY 2016 Omnibus. In December 2015, DeSantis voted against a zero percent increase in EPA funding. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The measure provides $8.1 billion in net appropriations for general EPA programs and management, equal to FY 2015 funding but $452 million (5%) less than requested. This amount includes $40 million in rescissions. According to the committee, the agency's staffing levels under the agreement will be lower than at any point since 1989.” The legislation was, according to Congressional Quarterly, a FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the bill with an amendment. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 316 to 113. The legislation was later combined with a tax extender bill. The Senate passed the larger measure and the president signed it. [House Vote 705, 12/18/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/18/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/15/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/17/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2029]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Cut All Energy Department And Water Development-Related Appropriations Accounts By One Percent. In July 2014, DeSantis voted for an amendment to the FY 2015 Energy-Water Appropriations bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would [have] reduce[d] all accounts in the bill by 1 percent.” The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 150 to 271. [House Vote 398, 7/10/14; Congressional Quarterly, 7/10/14]
DeSantis Voted To Cut Funding From All Energy And Water Development Accounts, Except Those Related To Defense And Nuclear Weapons
2014: DeSantis Voted To Cut Nearly 7.5 Percent From All Energy And Water Development Accounts, Except For Those Related To Nuclear Weapons And Defense, For A Total Cut Of $1.34 Billion. In July 2014, DeSantis voted for an amendment to the FY 2014 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would reduce by 7.5 percent all accounts in the bill except the Nuclear Security Administration, defense activities and the Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.” The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 131 to 289. [House Vote 400, 7/10/14; Congressional Quarterly, 7/10/14]
DESANTIS VOTED TO DEFUND THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT’S LOAN PROGRAMS
2014: DeSantis Voted To Defund The Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office, Which Finances Private-Sector Clean Energy Projects Such As Wind, Solar, Carbon Capture And Advanced Technology Vehicles. In July 2014, DeSantis voted for an amendment to the FY 2015 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would bar the use of funds provided in the bill for the Energy Department Loan Program [sic] Office.” The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 140 to 282. [House Vote 395, 7/10/14; Congressional Quarterly, 7/10/14]
2017: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit Use Of Funds To Implement Federal Rules That Rely On Studies That Use “The Social Cost Of Carbon.” In September 2017, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] the use of funds appropriated by the bill to implement any rules or regulations that rely on certain studies related to the ‘social cost of carbon.’ The underlying legislation was a legislative vehicle for an FY 2018 Omnibus appropriations bill. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 225 to 186. The House later passed the overall bill. [House Vote 489, 9/13/17; Congressional Quarterly, 9/13/17; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 369; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3354]
2016: DeSantis Voted Against Allowing Federal Agencies To Consider The Social Cost Of Carbon When Making Rules. In July 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “strike[n] the bill’s provisions that would allow federal agencies to use the social cost of carbon in rule makings and guidance documents.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 interior and environment appropriations bill. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 185 to 241. The House later passed the underlying legislation, but the Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 432, 7/12/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/12/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1307; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5538]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit Funds To Be Used To Issue Rules Or Guidance That Reference The Social Costs Of Carbon Analysis. In May 2016, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] use of funds made available by the bill to issue regulations or guidance that references or relies on the social cost of carbon analysis.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2016 Energy and Water appropriations bill. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 230 to 188. The underlying bill later failed to pass the House. [House Vote 256, 5/25/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/25/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1117; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5055]
2016: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Allowing Federal Agencies To Consider The Impacts Of Climate Change During The Permitting Or Approval Processes For Certain Projects. In May 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “state[d] that [the bill] would not prevent a federal agency from considering potential impacts on climate change during permitting or approval processes undertaken in accordance with the measure.” The underlying bill was an energy policy bill. The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 178 to 239. [House Vote 249, 5/25/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/25/16; Congressional Actions, S. 2012]
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted To Limit Mining Permitting Agencies From Assessing Climate Change From A Potential Mine. In October 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “not limit[ed] the authority of the lead permitting agency to assess the proposed activity's potential contribution to climate change.” The underlying legislation would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “deem[ed] mining operations of ‘strategic and critical minerals’ as ‘infrastructure projects’ as described in a 2012 presidential order regarding permitting of infrastructure projects. […] The bill would [have] require[d] the lead agency responsible for issuing mining permits to appoint a project lead to coordinate interagency permitting to minimize delays and set timelines. The bill also would [have] deem[ed] requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act to have been met if the lead agency determines that any state or federal agency has or will address certain factors specified in the bill, including the environmental impact and public participation.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 184 to 246. [House Vote 564, 10/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 10/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 10/22/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1937]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit Funding To Implement Executive Orders Requiring The Defense Department To Incorporate Climate Reviews In Operations, Acquisition And Planning. In May 2016, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] use of funds to implement two executive orders that require the Defense Department to meet certain green energy mandates and to incorporate climate change reviews in operations, acquisition and planning.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 defense authorization. The vote was on the amendment. The House approved the amendment by a vote of 227 to 198. The House later passed the underlying legislation, but the Senate took no substantive action on it. [House Vote 209, 5/18/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/16; Congress.gov, H.R. 4909; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1030; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4909]
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Stating That Because Of Climate Change, U.S. Energy Policy Should Seek To Remove Market Barriers For Renewable Energy. In December 2015, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that stated “In response to the overwhelming scientific consensus that climate change is real, United States energy policy should seek to remove market barriers that inhibit the development of renewable energy infrastructure.” The underlying legislation was H.R. 8, an energy security and infrastructure bill. The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 180 to 243. [House Vote 671, 12/3/15; Congressional Record, 12/3/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8]
2015: DeSantis Voted Against Continuing Current Targets For Reducing Fossil Fuel Energy Usage In Federal Buildings. In December 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “continue[d] currently enacted targets for reducing energy from fossil fuels in federal buildings.” The underlying legislation was H.R. 8, an energy security and infrastructure bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 172 to 246. [House Vote 659, 12/2/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/2/15; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 853; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8]
2015: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment That Would Remove A Provision That Effectively Lowers The Amount Of Climate Science-Related Initiatives Funded By The Federal Government. In May 2015, DeSantis voted against removing a provision from a scientific research funding authorization bill that would force the Energy Department’s Office of Science to only approve climate science if it was determined that the work was not duplicative. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would have “remove[d] a provision in the bill that would require a Government Accountability Office report identifying certain overlapping climate science-related initiatives. It also would [have] remove[d] a provision that would prohibit the director of the Energy Department’s Office of Science from approving new climate science-related initiatives without making a determination that such work is unique and not duplicative of work by other federal agencies. The underlying bill was H.R. 1806, the America Competes Reauthorization Act, which “authorize[d] $32.9 billion over fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017 for a number of agencies that support scientific research, industrial innovation and certain educational activities.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 187 to 236. The underlying measure later passed the full House, but the Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 254, 5/20/15; Congressional Quarterly, 5/20/15; Congressional Quarterly, 5/20/15; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 250; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1806]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Block The Energy Department’s Climate Model Development And Validation Program. In July 2014, DeSantis voted for an amendment to the FY 2015 Energy Department and Water Development Programs Appropriations bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would bar the use of funds provided in the bill for the Energy Department's Climate Model Development and Validation program.” The House agreed to the amendment by a vote of 226 to 194, and later passed the underlying bill. The bill died in the Senate. [House Vote 399, 7/10/14; Congressional Quarterly, 7/10/14; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1045; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4923]
2015: DeSantis Voted For An Amendment To The RAPID Act, Which Modified The Environmental Review Process For Federally Funded Projects, To Prevent Federal Agencies From Considering The Effects Of Climate Change And Greenhouse Gas Emissions. In September 2015, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] federal agencies from considering the effects of greenhouse gas emissions and the effects of climate change in National Environmental Policy Act reviews.” The underlying bill was H.R. 348, the RAPID Act which modified the environmental review process for federally funded projects. The measure limited the type of alternative projects that could be reviewed. The vote was on the amendment. The House agreed to the amendment by a vote of 223 to 186. The House later passed the underlying legislation, but it died in the Senate. [House Vote 514, 9/25/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/25/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/18/15; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 705; Congressional Actions, H.R. 348]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST INCREASING BUDGET FOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
2018: DeSantis Voted Against The $1.3 Trillion FY 2018 Omnibus Spending Deal Which Raised Spending By $138 Billion Over FY 2017 Levels, Including $3.2 Billion To The National Park Service, A Nine Percent Increase Over FY 2017. In March 2018, DeSantis voted against the FY 2018 Omnibus spending bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Combined, the spending measures would provide about $1.3 trillion in discretionary spending, with $1.2 trillion subject to discretionary spending caps, and $78.1 billion designated as Overseas Contingency Operations funds. The measure's spending levels are consistent with the increased defense and non-defense budget caps set by the two-year budget deal agreed to last month. That agreement increased the FY 2018 defense cap by $80 billion and the non-defense cap by $63 billion. Given that the previous caps were set to reduce overall discretionary spending by $5 billion, the net increase provided by the omnibus is $138 billion over the FY 2017 level.” The vote was on the motion to concur in the Senate Amendment with an Amendment. The House agreed to the motion, thereby passing the bill, by a vote of 256 to 167. The Senate later agreed to the legislation, sending it to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 127, 3/22/18; Congressional Quarterly, 3/22/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1625]
DESANTIS VOTED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FORESTRY ACTIVITIES SUBJECT TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
2015: DeSantis Voted For The Resilient Federal Forests Act, Which Reduced The Number Of Forestry Activities Subject To An Environmental Impact Statement. In July 2015, DeSantis voted for the Resilient Federal Forests Act to improve wildfire capabilities and forest health on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. According to Congressional Quarterly, the bill would have, “The measure provides for expedited actions by federal agencies by expanding the types of forestry activities that can occur without environmental impact statements (such as certain salvage operations and addressing insect and disease infestations) and by accelerating environmental reviews for salvage operations and reforestation activities after catastrophic events. It limits legal challenges to certain agency actions and seeks to discourage litigation by requiring plaintiffs to post a bond to cover the government’s legal costs when challenging certain collaborative management activities and by preventing plaintiffs from recovering attorneys’ fees if they win.” The measure was known as the Resilient Federal Forests Act. The vote was on the measure. The House passed the bill 262 to 167. The bill was received by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and no further action has yet to be taken. [House Vote 428, 7/9/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/9/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2647]
DESANTIS VOTED AT LEAST ONCE FOR A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD MANDATE AND INCENTIVIZE DESTRUCTIVE LOGGING ON NATIONAL FOREST LANDS
2014: DeSantis Voted To Require The U.S. Forest Service To Increase Timber Production On National Forest Lands. In September, DeSantis voted for a bill containing a provision mandating and incentivizing destructive logging. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The measure includes the provisions of HR 1526, which requires the U.S. Forest Service to increase timber production on National Forest lands by establishing at least one area in each National Forest where a specified level of timber harvesting must occur.” According to the League of Conservation voters, HR 1526 “which would mandate and incentivize destructive logging and other harmful industrial activities across vast swaths of America’s public lands. This intense expansion of logging and development would decimate our forests, which provide important benefits like clean drinking water, recreational opportunities, and fish and wildlife habitat. Even priceless landscapes such as inventoried roadless areas, wilderness study areas, old growth, and other conservation lands could be opened up to logging. While the bill purports to address concerns about forest fires, sufficient authority to facilitate fire and insect treatments already exist in the Healthy Forest Restoration Act.” This provision was part of a larger bill called the Jobs for America Act. The bill passed the House by a vote of 253-163. The bill died in the Senate. [House Vote 513, 9/18/14; Congressional Quarterly, 9/15/14; GOP.gov, Accessed 9/15/15; Thomas.loc.gov, Accessed 9/15/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/14/14; League of Conservation Voters, Accessed 9/17/15]
DESANTIS VOTED TO ALLOW TRANSFER OF FEDERAL LANDS TO STATE AND TRIBAL GROUPS TO HAVE NO COST FROM A BUDGET SCORING PERSPECTIVE
2017: DeSantis Voted To Allow The Transfer Of Federal Lands To State And Tribal Groups To Have No Cost From A Budget Scoring Perspective. In January 2017, DeSantis voted for House rules that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “effectively shield[ed] from Congressional Budget Office scoring any legislation that would require or authorize the conveyance of federal land to a state, local government or tribal entity. By not requiring the budget analysis, the affected legislation wouldn't need offsets or budgetary pay-fors that can trip up a lands bill before it hits the House floor. According to the provision, land transfers ‘shall not be considered as providing new budget authority, decreasing revenues, increasing mandatory spending, or increasing outlays.’” The vote was on the resolution. The House passed the resolution by a vote of 234 to 193. [House Vote 6, 1/3/17; Congressional Quarterly, 1/3/17; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 5]
DESANTIS VOTED FOR BILL THAT REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS FOR FEDERAL FORESTS
2017: DeSantis Voted For Exempting Federal Forest Regulations After Certain Disasters As Part Of Legislation Allowing Emergency FEMA Funds To Go To Wildfire Disasters. In November 2017, DeSantis voted for legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “allow[ed] for a presidential declaration of a major disaster with regard to wildfires, which would allow for the release of funding from Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund to fight major wildfires, and would modify the disaster cap under the Budget Control Act to account for expected wildfire funding needs. It would also [have] exempt[ed] various forest management activities from filing environmental impact statements and would provide for expedited timber salvage operations and reforestation activities after catastrophic events. It would [have] prohibit[d] any court from issuing restraining orders or injunctions against salvage operations or reforestation activities undertaken in response to a large-scale catastrophic event.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 232 to 188. [House Vote 598, 11/1/17; Congressional Quarterly, 11/1/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2936]
2019: DeSantis Signed Into Law Legislation That Authorized Local Governments To Allow Permittee-Responsible Mitigation For Restoration Of Lands Purchased By Local Governments For Conservation Purposes If Mitigation Credits Become Unavailable, And Allowed Localities To Provide Wetland Mitigation Credits When Credits Are Unavailable At A Regional Mitigation Bank. In June 2019, according to the Florida Senate, DeSantis signed into law House Bill 521, which “authorize[d] a local government to allow permittee-responsible mitigation consisting of the restoration or enhancement of lands purchased and owned by a local government for conservation purposes if state and federal mitigation credits are not available. Such mitigation must conform to the permitting requirements for mitigation banks. The bill also create[d] an exemption allowing a local government to provide mitigation credits for proposed projects when credits are not available at regional mitigation bank and the mitigation area to be utilized was created by a local government prior to December 31, 2011, using the Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method. The bill may have a positive fiscal impact on local governments who allow a public or private mitigation project to be created on conservation lands owned by the local government. The bill has no fiscal impact on state government.” [Florida Senate, Accessed on 8/30/22; Florida Senate, H.B. 521]
DESANTIS VOTED TO LIMIT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO PURCHASE LAND TO CREATE BUFFER ZONE FOR FLOODING
2013: DeSantis Voted To Limit Sandy Relief Funding From Being Used To Purchase Additional Federal Lands. In January 2013, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to the League of Conservation Voters, “inhibit[ed] Hurricane Sandy response efforts by barring the Secretaries of the Interior or Agriculture from using any of the funds in the bill to purchase additional public lands.” The underlying bill was Hurricane Sandy relief funding. The vote was on the amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 223 to 198. The final version of the legislation, which became law, included the amendment’s policy. [House Vote 21, 1/15/13; League of Conservation Voters, 2013 Scorecard; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 152]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST ALLOWING RELIEF FUNDING TO BE USED TO REPAIR A WILDLIFE REFUGE
2013: DeSantis Voted Against Sandy Relief Funding From Being Used To Repair Damage At The Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. In January 2013, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to the League of Conservation Voters, “eliminate[d] funding in the bill to help repair damage that Hurricane Sandy inflicted on the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.” The underlying bill was Hurricane Sandy relief funding. The vote was on the amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 216 to 205. The final version of the legislation, which became law, included the amendment’s policy. [House Vote 19, 1/15/13; League of Conservation Voters, 2013 Scorecard; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 152]
2015: DeSantis Voted Against Reauthorizing The Land And Water Conservation Fund Through 2018 As Part Of The FY 2016 Omnibus. In December 2015, DeSantis voted against reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “reauthorize[d] for three years, through FY 2018, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which is financed primarily through fees from offshore oil and gas leases. […] Under the measure, the House and Senate Appropriations committees would have to approve the use of the fund for acquiring lands using eminent domain, except for those in the Everglades National Park in Florida.” The legislation was, according to Congressional Quarterly, a FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the bill with an amendment. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 316 to 113. The legislation was later combined with a tax extender bill. The Senate passed the larger measure and the president signed it. [House Vote 705, 12/18/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/18/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/15/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/17/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2029]
2018: DeSantis Voted For The House GOP’s 2018 Farm Bill, Which Eliminated The Conservation Stewardship Program. In June 2018, DeSantis voted for the House GOP Farm Bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of the bill that would reauthorize and extend federal farm and nutrition programs through fiscal 2023, including crop subsidies, conservation, rural development and agricultural trade programs and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. It would require individuals receiving SNAP benefits, who are 18-59 years old, to work or participate in work training programs for a minimum of 20 hours per week, and would require the Department of Agriculture to establish a database to track individuals receiving SNAP benefits. The bill would reauthorize and extend supplemental agricultural disaster assistance programs, the current sugar policies and loan rates, several international food aid programs, nonrecourse marketing assistance loans for loan commodities, several dairy programs, including the dairy risk management program (previously the margin protection program) and would modify certain utility standards in the Home Energy Assistance Program to require SNAP benefits recipients to provide documentation of such expenses in order to receive increased benefits using the Standard Utility Allowance. The bill would authorize, with modifications, the farm risk-management program, which gives agriculture producers a choice of receiving price loss coverage or agriculture risk coverage, on a covered-commodity-by-covered-commodity basis, for the 2019 through 2023 crop years. The bill would reauthorize several conservation programs, and would increase the conservation reserve program from 24 to 29 million acres and reduce from 750,000 to 500,000 acres the cap for Farmable Wetland Program enrollment. It would also increase the amount authorized annually for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for the 2019 through 2023 crop years, with a maximum authorization of $3 billion in 2023. It would eliminate the conservation stewardship program and would also allow the Environmental Protection Agency to determine whether a pesticide is likely to jeopardize the survival of a federally designated threatened or endangered species, or the habitat of such a species, without having to consult with federal agencies.” The vote was on passage. The House adopted the bill by a vote of 213 to 211. [House Vote 284, 6/21/18; Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
2018: DeSantis Voted For The House GOP’s 2018 Farm Bill, Which Eliminated The Conservation Stewardship Program. In May 2018, DeSantis voted for the House GOP Farm Bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of the bill that would reauthorize and extend federal farm and nutrition programs through fiscal 2023, including crop subsidies, conservation, rural development and agricultural trade programs and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. It would require individuals receiving SNAP benefits, who are 18-59 years old, to work or participate in work training programs for a minimum of 20 hours per week, and would require the Department of Agriculture to establish a database to track individuals receiving SNAP benefits. The bill would reauthorize and extend supplemental agricultural disaster assistance programs, the current sugar policies and loan rates, several international food aid programs, nonrecourse marketing assistance loans for loan commodities, several dairy programs, including the dairy risk management program (previously the margin protection program) and would modify certain utility standards in the Home Energy Assistance Program to require SNAP benefits recipients to provide documentation of such expenses in order to receive increased benefits using the Standard Utility Allowance. The bill would authorize, with modifications, the farm risk-management program, which gives agriculture producers a choice of receiving price loss coverage or agriculture risk coverage, on a covered-commodity-by-covered-commodity basis, for the 2019 through 2023 crop years. The bill would reauthorize several conservation programs, and would increase the conservation reserve program from 24 to 29 million acres and reduce from 750,000 to 500,000 acres the cap for Farmable Wetland Program enrollment. It would also increase the amount authorized annually for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for the 2019 through 2023 crop years, with a maximum authorization of $3 billion in 2023. It would eliminate the conservation stewardship program and would also allow the Environmental Protection Agency to determine whether a pesticide is likely to jeopardize the survival of a federally designated threatened or endangered species, or the habitat of such a species, without having to consult with federal agencies.” The vote was on passage. The House rejected the bill by a vote of 198 to 213. The House later took a revote several weeks later and passed the bill. [House Vote 205, 5/18/18; Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
2015: DeSantis Voted Against Excluding Projects From Expedited Environmental Review Schedules That Would Limit Access Or Opportunities For Hunting And Fishing. In September 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “exclude[d] projects that would limit access to or opportunities for hunting or fishing, or that would affect an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act from the bill’s provision that would automatically approve projects if the agency has not made a decision within the bill’s deadlines.” The underlying bill was the Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act, which would have “streamline[d] the environmental review process for infrastructure projects.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 187 to 223. [House Vote 512, 9/25/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/25/15; The Hill, 9/25/15]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit New Enrollees In The Conservation Reserve Program As Part Of The FY 2016 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for prohibiting new enrollees in the Conservation Reserve Program. According to the Republican Study Committee, “CRP provides payments to farmers to take certain cropland out of production for 10 years or more to improve soil, water, and environmental quality. Demand for enrollment in CRP has declined steadily over recent years. This budget would respond to this trend and prohibit new enrollments in CRP. This would save $1.8 billion over ten years, according to CBO.” The underlying budget resolution would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide[d] for $2.804 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2016, not including off-budget accounts. The substitute would call for reducing spending by $7.1 trillion over 10 years compared to the Congressional Budget Office baseline.” The vote was on the substitute amendment to a Budget Resolution. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 132 to 294. [House Vote 138, 3/25/15; Republican Study Committee, FY 2016 Budget; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/15; Congress.gov, H. Amdt. 83; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 27]
2013: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit New Enrollment In The Conservation Reserve Program. In March 2013, DeSantis voted to support prohibiting new enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program, as part of the Republican Study Committee’s proposed budget resolution covering fiscal years 2014 to 2023. According to the Republican Study Committee, “The savings options outlined below illustrate some of the necessary steps toward a limited, constitutional government that lives within its means. […] The CRP provides payments to farmers to take certain cropland out of production for 10 years or more. While CRP was established for soil conservation and commodity reduction, it is a perfect example of a government program reaching for new ways to justify its existence. The program is now also promoted for increasing native wildlife populations. This budget would prohibit new enrollments in the CRP, significantly reducing the acres that farmers are paid to not farm. This would save $5.6 billion over ten years.” The vote was on an amendment to the House budget resolution replacing the entire budget with the RSC’s proposed budget; the amendment failed by a vote of 104 to 132 with 171 Democrats voting present. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Repeating a strategy from last year, 171 Democrats voted “present” to push Republicans to vote against the RSC plan to make sure it did not have enough support to replace the Ryan plan.” [House Vote 86, 3/21/13; Republican Study Committee, 3/18/13; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/13]
2013: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit New Enrollment In The Conservation Stewardship Program. In March 2013, DeSantis voted to support prohibiting new enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program, as part of the Republican Study Committee’s proposed budget resolution covering fiscal years 2014 to 2023. According to the Republican Study Committee, “The savings options outlined below illustrate some of the necessary steps toward a limited, constitutional government that lives within its means. […] The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) encourages agricultural producers to adopt more environmentally sustainable practices on their working land. The program subsidizes agricultural producers to use conservation techniques that many have already adopted. Agricultural producers already have an existing incentive to conserve their resources and practice sustainable farming. Therefore, paying agricultural producers to use techniques they have already adopted does not enhance conservation efforts. This budget would prohibit new enrollments in the CSP. Land that is currently enrolled in the CSP would continue to be eligible to receive payments until the contract expired. This would save $10.5 billion over ten years.” The vote was on an amendment to the House budget resolution replacing the entire budget with the RSC’s proposed budget; the amendment failed by a vote of 104 to 132 with 171 Democrats voting present. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Repeating a strategy from last year, 171 Democrats voted “present” to push Republicans to vote against the RSC plan to make sure it did not have enough support to replace the Ryan plan.” [House Vote 86, 3/21/13; Republican Study Committee, 3/18/13; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/13]
DESANTIS EFFECTIVELY VOTED AGAINST AMENDMENT TO CALIFORNIA DROUGHT AID BILL THAT WOULD PROTECT NORTHWEST FISHING AND SALMON POPULATIONS
2014: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against An Amendment That Would Specify That The Underlying California Drought Aid Bill Would Not Negatively Affect Pacific Northwest Sport Fishing Or Salmon Population. In December 2014, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that would protect Northwest sport fishing and salmon populations. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment “would clarify that nothing in the bill would negatively affect the Pacific Northwest sport fishing industries or any population of salmon.” The underlying bill was the California Drought Relief. The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion 182 to 228. [House Vote 552, 12/9/14; Congressional Quarterly, 12/9/14; Congressional Quarterly, 12/9/14]
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA): Bill Includes Sections That Already Fix These Problems. In a floor speech, Rep. Hastings said, “The bill under consideration today is a short-term fix to something that needs a long-term fix. And the gentleman made a number of arguments, but I think the gentleman failed to read the bill because there are two specific sections in there that are contrary to what he is asserting would happen. Those are section 203 and section 301.” [Congressional Record, 12/9/14]
DESANTIS EFFECTIVELY VOTED AGAINST AMENDMENT TO CALIFORNIA DROUGHT AID BILL THAT SPECIFIED BILL WOULD NOT CREATE ANY LEGAL PRECEDENT FOR OTHER STATES’ WATER RIGHTS
2014: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against An Amendment That Would Specify That The Underlying California Drought Bill Would Not Create Any Legal Precedent For Any Other State Than California On Water Rights. In December 2014, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that would protect Northwest sport fishing and salmon populations. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment “would clarify that nothing in the bill would […] create any legal precedent for any state other than California on water rights.” The underlying bill was the California Drought Relief. The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion 182 to 228. [House Vote 552, 12/9/14; Congressional Quarterly, 12/9/14; Congressional Quarterly, 12/9/14]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Reduce Federal Regulations On Energy Development On Native American Lands And Voted To Exempt Native American Lands From Hydraulic Fracking Rules. In October 2015, DeSantis voted for legislation that would reduce federal regulations in order to expedite energy development on Native American lands. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have, “reduce[d] federal regulations on the development of Indian lands to expedite the development of energy. As amended, the bill would [have] allow[ed] state, tribe, and local governments in an affected area to continue to comment on an environmental impact statement. Further, the bill would [have] create[d] a demonstration project with Indian tribes to perform administrative, management, and other functions of programs of the Tribal Forest Protection Act.” The vote was on the legislation. The House passed the bill by a vote of 254 to 173. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 544, 10/8/15; Congressional Quarterly, 10/8/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 538]
DESANTIS EFFECTIVELY VOTED AGAINST AMENDMENT TO CALIFORNIA DROUGHT AID BILL THAT WOULD SPECIFY THE BILL WOULD NOT REDUCE TRIBAL WATER SUPPLY
2014: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against An Amendment That Would Specify That The Underlying California Drought Bill Would Not Undermine Native American Tribal Sovereignty Or Reduce Their Water Supply. In December 2014, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that would protect Northwest sport fishing and salmon populations. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment “would clarify that nothing in the bill would […] undermine Native American tribal sovereignty or reduce the quantity or quality of water made available by affected Indian tribes.” The underlying bill was the California Drought Relief. The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion 182 to 228. [House Vote 552, 12/9/14; Congressional Quarterly, 12/9/14; Congressional Quarterly, 12/9/14]
2013: DeSantis Voted Against Reauthorizing And Consolidating Agricultural Conservation Programs. In July 2013, DeSantis voted against the House’s version of the agriculture program provisions of the 2013 Farm Bill, which, according to Congressional Quarterly, would “reauthorize[] through FY 2018 most conservation activities but [would] consolidate[] the 23 current programs into 13. It [would] also generally reduce[] the number of acres of land that may be enrolled in the programs. CBO estimates that the changes would produce $4.8 billion in savings over 10 years. Reauthorized programs include the Conservation Reserve Program, the Farmable Wetlands Programs, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP would be expanded to include functions now administered under the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. It establishes a new Agricultural Conservation Easement Program by consolidating the Wetland Reserve Program, the Grassland Reserve Program and the Farmland Protection Program. Similarly, a Regional Conservation Partnership Program is established by combining the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program, the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiatives Program and the Great Lakes Basin Program.” The House approved the bill by a vote of 216 to 208. The Senate had already completed its own version of the 2013 Farm Bill that included nutrition programs, and a conference committee was convened to work out a compromise version of the two bills. As of the end of November, 2013, the committee had not produced a conference report. [House Vote 353, 7/11/13; Congressional Quarterly, 6/18/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2642]
2013: DeSantis Voted Against Reauthorizing And Consolidating Federal Agriculture Conservation Programs. In June 2013, DeSantis voted against the House’s version of the 2013 Farm Bill, which reauthorized conservation activities and consolidated conservation programs. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The bill reauthorizes through FY 2018 most conservation activities but consolidates the 23 current programs into 13. It also generally reduces the number of acres of land that may be enrolled in the programs. CBO estimates that the changes would produce $4.8 billion in savings over 10 years. Reauthorized programs include the Conservation Reserve Program, the Farmable Wetlands Programs, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP would be expanded to include functions now administered under the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. It establishes a new Agricultural Conservation Easement Program by consolidating the Wetland Reserve Program, the Grassland Reserve Program and the Farmland Protection Program. Similarly, a Regional Conservation Partnership Program is established by combining the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program, the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiatives Program and the Great Lakes Basin Program.” The House rejected the bill by a vote of 195 to 234. [House Vote 286, 6/20/13; Congressional Quarterly, 6/18/13]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Grant States Authority Over Natural Gas Hydraulic Fracturing In Their State As Part Of The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. In October 2014, DeSantis voted for granting states the authority over natural gas hydraulic fracking as part of the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “prohibits[ed] the Interior Department from enforcing federal rules related to hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in states that have their own fracking oversight rules, and it requires EPA to take certain actions in conducting its study of the impact of fracking on drinking water — including setting a deadline for release of a final report.” The underlying measure was the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. The vote was on the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 228 to 194; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which did not take any substantive action on it. [House Vote 515, 9/18/14; Congressional Quarterly, 9/15/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
2015: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment That Would Prohibit The Defunding Of The Bureau Of Land Management’s Regulations On Fracking On Federal Lands. In July 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have banned the defunding of the Bureau of Land Management’s regulations on fracking on federal land. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would have, “remove[d] the bill’s prohibition on the Bureau of Land Management from implementing its final rule governing fracking on federal lands.” The underlying bill made FY 2016 appropriations for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and other related agencies. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment 179 to 250. [House Vote 402, 7/8/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/8/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2822]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Modify The Environmental Review Process For Federally Funded Projects And For Federal Permits For Private Projects In Order To Expedite The Process. In September 2015, DeSantis voted for the Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act, which would have expedited environmental review for federally funded projects. According to Congressional Quarterly, “This bill modifies the environmental review process for federally funded projects and for federal permits for private projects in order to expedite the process by setting deadlines on agency reviews, and by limiting the grounds for civil actions filed against an environmental review or permit approval.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 233 to 170. The Senate took no substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 518, 9/25/16; Congressional Quarterly, 9/18/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 348]
DESANTIS VOTED FOR LEGISLATION BACKED BY AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY TO REQUIRE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW TRACKING
2015: DeSantis Voted To Require That A Website Created By The Underlying Bill Detail The Total Number Of Environmental Reviews For Infrastructure Projects And The Total Time And Cost To Conduct Them. In November 2015, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “specif[ied] that a website required under the bill that would make publicly available the status of infrastructure projects that require environmental review would need to include the total number of environmental reviews that were initiated and the total average cost and time to conduct environmental reviews.” The underlying bill was a surface transportation reauthorization. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 196 to 225. [House Vote 587, 11/3/15; Congressional Quarterly, 11/3/15; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 738; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 734; Congressional Actions, H.R. 22]
DESANTIS VOTED AT LEAST TWICE TO SELL AND PRIVATIZE THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
2014: DeSantis Voted To Privatize The Tennessee Valley Authority. In April 2014, DeSantis voted for the Republican Study Committee’s proposed budget resolution for fiscal years 2015 to 2024. According to the Republican Study Committee, “The TVA was created in 1933 to develop hydroelectric capability on the Tennessee River. Since that time, the federally-run TVA has expanded its electric generating and transmission infrastructure significantly, accounting for five-percent of the nation's electric generation in 2010. Because power generation no longer needs to be carried out by the federal government, the TVA's electric utility functions should be transferred to the private sector, saving the taxpayers $550 million over the next ten years.” The House considered the RSC budget as a substitute amendment to House Republicans’ FY 2015 budget resolution; the amendment was rejected by a vote of 133 to 291. [House Vote 175, 4/10/14; Republican Study Committee, 4/7/14]
2013: DeSantis Voted To Sell The Tennessee Valley Authority. In March 2013, DeSantis voted to support selling the Tennessee Valley Authority as part of the Republican Study Committee’s proposed budget resolution covering fiscal years 2014 to 2023. According to the Republican Study Committee, “This budget would sell TVA’s electric utility functions and associated assets and liabilities to a non-federal owner and operator. TVA would retain its hydropower assets and liabilities because they serve other functions, such as flood control and recreation.” The vote was on an amendment to the House budget resolution replacing the entire budget with the RSC’s proposed budget; the amendment failed by a vote of 104 to 132 with 171 Democrats voting present. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Repeating a strategy from last year, 171 Democrats voted “present” to push Republicans to vote against the RSC plan to make sure it did not have enough support to replace the Ryan plan.” [House Vote 86, 3/21/13; Republican Study Committee, 3/18/13; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/13]
DESANTIS SAID A CARBON TAX “IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES”
2016: DeSantis Voted To State That A Carbon Tax “Is Not In The Best Interest Of The United States.” In June 2016, DeSantis voted for a concurrent resolution that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “express[ed] a sense of Congress that a carbon tax would harm families and businesses and is ‘not in the best interest of the United States.’” The vote was on the concurrent resolution. The House adopted the resolution by a vote of 237 to 163. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 295, 6/10/16; Congressional Quarterly, 6/10/16; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 89]
DESANTIS VOTED TO BLOCK ANY CARBON TAXES WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL
2013: DeSantis Voted To Block Any Carbon Tax Imposed By Executive Agency Regulations Without Express Congressional Approval. In August 2013, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “include[d] in the definition of major regulations, rules that would provide for the implementation or collection of a carbon tax.” The amendment was to the House’s version of the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013, which, according to Congressional Quarterly, would “bar major federal agency rules from being implemented without congressional approval.” The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 237 to 176. The underlying bill later passed the House, but the Senate had taken no substantive action on it as of mid-December 2013. [House Vote 437, 8/2/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 367; Congressional Quarterly, 8/2/13; Congressional Quarterly, 8/2/13; Congressional Quarterly, 8/2/13]
DeSantis Supported Congressional Efforts To Cancel EPA Regulations On Coal Plants. According to DeSantis at Mount Dora, “Question: Scott Pruitt doesn’t believe in climate change. Fracking? DeSantis: I think if you believe too much C02 than gas revolution is the best thing that’s happened. Check out ND. Huge increases in standard of living. Inaudible. Things are going good. Supportive of Congress canceling out EPA regulation that would shut down coal plants. Attacking livelihood. That’s all they got.” [Discussion with DeSantis Mount Dora, 3/11/17]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST CLEAN POWER PLAN
2016: DeSantis Voted Against The Clean Power Plan. In July 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “remove[d] the bill's provisions that would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from limiting greenhouse gas emissions from new and existing power plants.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 interior and environmental appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 182 to 244. The House later passed the underlying legislation, but the Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 431, 7/12/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/12/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1305; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5538]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Stop The EPA’s Regulations On New And Existing Power Plans As Part Of The FY 2016 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for preventing the EPA from implementing its rule on new and existing power plants. According to the Republican Study Committee, “The RSC budget would block the Obama administration’s war on coal. Despite the fact the American people rejected the president’s cap-and-trade proposal, the EPA is moving ahead with job-killing climate change regulations on new and existing power plants.” The underlying budget resolution would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide[d] for $2.804 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2016, not including off-budget accounts. The substitute would call for reducing spending by $7.1 trillion over 10 years compared to the Congressional Budget Office baseline.” The vote was on the substitute amendment to a Budget Resolution. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 132 to 294. [House Vote 138, 3/25/15; Republican Study Committee, FY 2016 Budget; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/15; Congress.gov, H. Amdt. 83; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 27]
2015: DeSantis Voted For A Bill That Allowed Governors To Opt Their States Out Of The Clean Power Plan If They Believed The Regulations Would Raise Energy Costs. In June 2015, DeSantis voted for a bill that would postpone the dates by when states and existing fossil-fuel power plants must comply with current or future EPA rules to reduce carbon emissions until all judicial challenges are completed, and it allows state governors to opt out of developing an emissions reduction plan or complying with a federal plan for existing plants if he or she determines that the requirement would have an adverse effect on electricity ratepayers. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of a bill that would postpone the dates by when states and existing fossil-fuel power plants must comply with current or future EPA rules to reduce carbon emissions until all judicial challenges are completed, and it allows state governors to opt out of developing an emissions reduction plan or complying with a federal plan for existing plants if he or she determines that the requirement would have an adverse effect on electricity ratepayers.” The vote was on the bill. The House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 247 to 180. The bill was received in the Senate, but no further action has been taken. [House Vote 384, 6/24/15; Congressional Quarterly, 6/24/15; Congressional Actions H.R. 2042, 6/25/15]
DESANTIS VOTED FOR APPROVAL OF KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION
2015: DeSantis Voted For Approving The Keystone XL Pipeline As Part Of The FY 2016 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for approving the Keystone XL Pipeline. According to the Republican Study Committee, “This budget approves the Keystone XL pipeline.” The underlying budget resolution would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide[d] for $2.804 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2016, not including off-budget accounts. The substitute would call for reducing spending by $7.1 trillion over 10 years compared to the Congressional Budget Office baseline.” The vote was on the substitute amendment to a Budget Resolution. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 132 to 294. [House Vote 138, 3/25/15; Republican Study Committee, FY 2016 Budget; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/15; Congress.gov, H. Amdt. 83; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 27]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Approve Construction Of The Keystone XL Pipeline. In November 2014, DeSantis voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “Authorizes TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities specified in an application filed by TransCanada Corporation to the Department of State on May 4, 2012.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 252 to 161; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which did not take any substantive action on it. [House Vote 519, 11/14/15; Congressional Quarterly, 11/17/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5682]
DeSantis Voted At Least Six Times For Immediate Authorization Of The Keystone Pipeline.
2015: DeSantis Voted For Immediately Authorizing Construction, Operating and Maintenance Of The Keystone XL Pipeline, Encourages Energy-Efficient Practices In Commercial Real-Estate Buildings And States That Climate Change Is Real. In February 2015, DeSantis voted for immediately authorizing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. According to Congressional Quarterly, “this bill immediately authorizes the construction, operation and maintenance of the Keystone XL pipeline — including the pipeline itself and cross-border facilities as described in TransCanada's 2012 application, and any revisions to the pipeline route within Nebraska as required or authorized by the state. Under the measure, the January 2014 environmental impact statement issued by the State Department would be considered sufficient to satisfy all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act. It grants to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction regarding legal disputes over the pipeline or the constitutionality of this bill. […] [T]he measure also includes provisions to encourage energy-efficient practices in commercial real estate buildings, to help local schools finance and conduct projects to make them more energy-efficient and to allow certain large ‘grid enabled’ electric water heaters to continue to be used in certain rural areas. It also includes provisions expressing the sense of the Senate that climate change is real and that Canadian oil transported through the Keystone pipeline should be subject to the federal oil spill liability excise tax.” The vote was on passage. The bill passed the House by a vote of 270-152. The Senate earlier passed the bill. President Obama vetoed the legislation and the Senate failed to override his veto. [House Vote 75, 2/11/15; Congressional Quarterly, Accessed 10/1/15; Congressional Quarterly, 2/6/15; The Hill, 2/24/15]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Approve Construction Of The Keystone XL Pipeline. In January 2015, DeSantis voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, allow TransCanada to construct, connect, operate and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities known as the Keystone XL pipeline, including any revision to the pipeline route within Nebraska as required or authorized by the state. It also would consider the January 2014 environmental impact statement issued by the State Department sufficient to satisfy all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. It also would grant the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction regarding legal disputes over the pipeline or the constitutionality of the bill.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 266 to 153; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which has not taken any substantive action on it. [House Vote 16, 1/9/15; Congressional Quarterly, 11/17/14; Congressional Quarterly, Accessed 9/30/15]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Approve Construction Of The Keystone XL Pipeline. In November 2014, DeSantis voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “Authorizes TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities specified in an application filed by TransCanada Corporation to the Department of State on May 4, 2012.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 252 to 161; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which did not take any substantive action on it. [House Vote 519, 11/14/15; Congressional Quarterly, 11/17/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5682]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Approve Construction Of The Keystone XL Pipeline’s Northern Portion As Part Of The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. In October 2014, DeSantis voted for a bill that would declare that a presidential permit is not required for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. According to Congressional Quarterly, the provision “declares that a presidential permit is not required for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline's northern route from the Canadian border through Nebraska. Additionally, it deems various environmental impact statements by federal agencies involved with permitting decisions related to the proposed pipeline to have satisfied current requirements, including permits under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.” The underlying measure was the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. The vote was on the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 228 to 194; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which did not take any substantive action on it. [House Vote 515, 9/18/14; Congressional Quarterly, 9/15/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
2013: DeSantis Voted To Approve Construction Of The Keystone XL Pipeline’s Northern Portion. In May 2013, DeSantis voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “declares that a presidential permit is not required for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline's northern route from the Canadian border through Nebraska as described in the [pipeline’s 2012] revised proposal — which would allow that project to proceed. Under the measure, environmental impact statements issued to date would be considered sufficient to satisfy all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Interior Department and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are deemed to have granted all the necessary permits for the pipeline to proceed (including permits under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act). […] The bill also declares that the pipeline does not jeopardize the American burying beetle, an endangered species.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 241 to 175; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which has not taken any substantive action on it. [House Vote 179, 5/22/13; Congressional Quarterly, 5/20/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3]
2013: DeSantis Voted To Call For The Approval Of The Keystone XL Pipeline. In March 2013, DeSantis voted to support approving the Keystone XL Pipeline, as part of the Republican Study Committee’s proposed budget resolution covering fiscal years 2013 to 2023. According to the Republican Study Committee, “The RSC budget calls for the approval of the Keystone Pipeline, which instantly creates jobs and aids in reducing our dependency on unstable regimes in hostile regions in the world.” The vote was on an amendment to the House budget resolution replacing the entire budget with the RSC’s proposed budget; the amendment failed by a vote of 104 to 132 with 171 Democrats voting present. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Repeating a strategy from last year, 171 Democrats voted “present” to push Republicans to vote against the RSC plan to make sure it did not have enough support to replace the Ryan plan.” [House Vote 86, 3/21/13; Republican Study Committee, 3/18/13; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/13]
DeSantis Voted At Least Twice Against Requiring That The Oil Transported By The Keystone Be Classified As Crude Oil
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Requiring Oil Transported By The Keystone XL Pipeline To Be Considered Crude Oil For Tax Purposes. In February 2015, DeSantis effectively voted against requiring oil transported by the Keystone XL pipeline to be considered crude oil. According to Congressional Quarterly, the motion to a commit would have, “certify[ied] to the president that diluted bitumen and other materials derived from tar sands or oil sands transported through the Keystone XL pipeline will be treated as crude oil for the purposes of determining contributions for the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.” The underlying legislation was the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act. The vote was on the motion to commit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 181 to 241. [House Vote 74, 2/11/15; Congressional Quarterly, 2/11/15]
2014: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Requiring Oil Transported By The Keystone XL Pipeline To Be Considered Crude Oil For Tax Purposes. In November 2014, DeSantis effectively voted against requiring oil transported by the Keystone XL pipeline to be considered crude oil. According to Congressional Quarterly, the motion to a recommit would have, “require that oil transported by the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline be considered crude oil for the purposes of determining its contributions to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.” The underlying legislation was a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. The vote was on the motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 192 to 224. [House Vote 518, 11/14/14; Congressional Quarterly, 11/14/14]
DeSantis Voted Against Requiring That The Oil From The Keystone XL Pipeline Be Sold In The US
2013: DeSantis Voted Against Requiring That Oil From The Keystone XL Pipeline Be Sold In The United States. During May 2013 consideration of a bill that would have effectively approved the Keystone XL oil pipeline, DeSantis voted against an amendment that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would prohibit final approval and construction of the Keystone XL pipeline until the president determines that all oil and refined fuels transported through the Keystone XL Pipeline is used in the United States and not exported, unless the president finds that an exception is in the national interest or required by law.” The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 162 to 255. [House Vote 177, 5/22/13; Congressional Quarterly, 5/22/13]
DeSantis Voted To Extend The Deadline To File Legal Challenges To Keystone From 60 Days To A Year
2013: DeSantis Voted Against Extending The Deadline For Filing Any Legal Challenges To The Keystone XL Pipeline From 60 Days To One Year. During May 2013 consideration of a bill that would have effectively approved the Keystone XL oil pipeline, DeSantis voted against an amendment that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would lengthen the time period for a person to file a claim against pipeline operators from 60 days to one year.” The underlying bill required that all legal challenges involving the pipeline or challenging the bill be filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit within 60 days of any triggering event. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 182 to 234. [House Vote 175, 5/22/13; Congressional Quarterly, 5/22/13; Congressional Quarterly, 5/20/13]
DeSantis Voted To Require The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission To Approve Or Deny An Application For Pipeline Construction Within A Year
2014: DeSantis Voted To Require The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission To Approve Or Deny An Application For Pipeline Construction Within 12 Months Of Receiving A Complete Application As Part Of The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. In October 2014, DeSantis voted for a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “[set] statutory deadlines for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and other federal agencies to act when considering certification or permits for the construction or expansion of natural gas pipelines. Specifically, it [would have] require[d] FERC to approve or deny an application for a pipeline construction certificate for ‘pre-filed’ projects within 12 months of receiving a complete application.” The underlying measure was the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. The vote was on the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 228 to 194; the bill was then sent to the Senate, which did not take any substantive action on it. [House Vote 515, 9/18/14; Congressional Quarterly, 9/15/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
DeSantis Voted Against Requiring That The Pipeline Operator Obtain Environmental And Other Regulatory Review Of Future Pipeline Operations And Maintenance
2013: DeSantis Voted Against Requiring That The Keystone XL Pipeline Operator Obtain Environmental And Other Regulatory Review Of Future Pipeline Operations And Maintenance. During May 2013 consideration of a bill that would have effectively approved the Keystone XL oil pipeline, DeSantis voted against an amendment that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would strike ‘operation’ and ‘maintenance’ from several provisions of the bill in order to remove the exemption to TransCanada from government oversight during operation or maintenance of the pipeline.” The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 182 to 234. [House Vote 174, 5/22/13; Congressional Quarterly, 5/22/13]
DeSantis Voted Against Blocking The Keystone XL Pipeline Until The Government Has Audited The Pipeline’s Vulnerabilities
2013: DeSantis Voted Against Blocking The Keystone XL Pipeline Until The Government Has Audited The Pipeline’s Vulnerability To, And Preparation For, Terrorist Attacks And Any Resulting Oil Spills. During May 2013 consideration of a bill that would have effectively approved the Keystone XL oil pipeline, DeSantis voted against an amendment that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would [have] prohibit[ed] final approval and construction of the Keystone XL pipeline until the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Homeland Security Department, conducts a study on the pipeline’s vulnerabilities to terrorist attack and certifies that corrective actions are in place to guard against an attack and to mitigate any resulting spill.” The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 176 to 239. [House Vote 172, 5/22/13; Congressional Quarterly, 5/22/13]
DeSantis Voted Against Delaying Approval Until Pipeline Operators Demonstrate They Will Offset Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions
2013: DeSantis Voted Against Delaying The Keystone XL Pipeline’s Approval Until Pipeline Operators Demonstrate They Will Offset Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Oil Sands During May 2013 consideration of a bill that would have effectively approved the Keystone XL oil pipeline, DeSantis voted against an amendment that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would [have] add[ed] to the findings in Section 2 of the bill statements that reliance on oil sands crudes for transportation fuels would likely result in an increase in incremental greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. It would also provide that the bill will not take effect unless the president finds that TransCanada or tar sands producers will fully offset the additional greenhouse gas emissions.” The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 146 to 269. [House Vote 170, 5/22/13; Congressional Quarterly, 5/22/13]
DELAY EPA STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR BRICK MANUFACTURING
2016: DeSantis Voted To Delay The National Standards That The EPA Set For Hazardous Air Pollutants For Brick Manufacturing. In March 2016, DeSantis voted for a bill that would delay until all judicial reviews are complete the EPA’s rule on brick manufacturing. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “delay[ed] compliance dates for the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2015 rule that set national emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants for the manufacturing of brick, structural clay products and clay ceramics. The bill would delay compliance dates until completion of judicial reviews in which legal actions were filed within 60 days of the final rule's publication in the Federal Register. The bill also would apply to any final rule that succeeds or changes the 2015 rule.” The vote was on the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 238 to 163. The Senate took no substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 109, 3/3/16; Congressional Quarterly, 3/3/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4557]
2018: DeSantis Voted For The House GOP’s 2018 Farm Bill, Which Reauthorized Farm Programs Such As Crop Subsidies, Reauthorized SNAP - But With New Work Requirements -, And Gave The EPA The Authority To Delay Protections Against Pesticides. In June 2018, DeSantis voted for the House GOP Farm Bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of the bill that would reauthorize and extend federal farm and nutrition programs through fiscal 2023, including crop subsidies, conservation, rural development and agricultural trade programs and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. It would require individuals receiving SNAP benefits, who are 18-59 years old, to work or participate in work training programs for a minimum of 20 hours per week, and would require the Department of Agriculture to establish a database to track individuals receiving SNAP benefits. The bill would reauthorize and extend supplemental agricultural disaster assistance programs, the current sugar policies and loan rates, several international food aid programs, nonrecourse marketing assistance loans for loan commodities, several dairy programs, including the dairy risk management program (previously the margin protection program) and would modify certain utility standards in the Home Energy Assistance Program to require SNAP benefits recipients to provide documentation of such expenses in order to receive increased benefits using the Standard Utility Allowance. The bill would authorize, with modifications, the farm risk-management program, which gives agriculture producers a choice of receiving price loss coverage or agriculture risk coverage, on a covered-commodity-by-covered-commodity basis, for the 2019 through 2023 crop years. The bill would reauthorize several conservation programs, and would increase the conservation reserve program from 24 to 29 million acres and reduce from 750,000 to 500,000 acres the cap for Farmable Wetland Program enrollment. It would also increase the amount authorized annually for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for the 2019 through 2023 crop years, with a maximum authorization of $3 billion in 2023. It would eliminate the conservation stewardship program and would also allow the Environmental Protection Agency to determine whether a pesticide is likely to jeopardize the survival of a federally designated threatened or endangered species, or the habitat of such a species, without having to consult with federal agencies.” The vote was on passage. The House adopted the bill by a vote of 213 to 211. [House Vote 284, 6/21/18; Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
2013: DeSantis Voted Against An Amendment Preventing Environmental Quality Incentives Program Funds From Going Towards Factory Farmers And Against Allowing Assistance To Go Towards Farmers Who Reduce Pesticide Usage. In June 2013, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to the League of Conservation Voters, “reinstate[d] language preventing EQIP funds from going to factory farms, assist farmers who transition to production techniques that use fewer pesticides or antibiotics, and promote water conservation and climate change adaptation efforts.” The underlying bill was the 2013 farm bill. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 157 to 266. [House Vote 260, 6/19/13; League of Conservation Voters, 2013 Scorecard; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 185; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1947]
2016: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against An Amendment Requiring A Permit For A Pesticide If There Was Peer-Reviewed Based Evidence That The Pesticide Could Harm Pregnant Women; The Underlying Bill Suspended The Need For A Permit To Use Pesticides Near Navigable Waters. In May 2016, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “exempt[ed] the discharge of a pesticide from the bill’s provisions if there is evidence, based on peer-reviewed science, that the pesticide could harm pregnant women or have adverse effects on early childhood development.” The underlying legislation would have, also according to Congressional Quarterly, “temporarily modif[ied] the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to prohibit the EPA or a state government from requiring a permit for the use of registered pesticides near navigable waters. The measure also would [have] modif[ied] the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit the EPA and states from requiring permits for the point source use of a pesticide registered under FIFRA, with certain exceptions. The temporary prohibitions would [have] end[ed] on Sept. 30, 2018.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 182 to 232. [House Vote 236, 5/24/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/24/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 89]
DeSantis Voted To Weaken Protections For Endangered Species
DESANTIS VOTED FOR CALIFORNIA DROUGHT PROPOSAL THAT OVERRODE THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
2014: DeSantis Voted For A California Emergency Drought Proposal That Makes It More Difficult For State And Federal Officials To Make Real-Time Water Decisions And Overrides The Endangered Species Act. In December 2014, DeSantis voted for a proposal attempting to provide temporary relief for California farmers affected by a drought which also undermines state water rights priorities, makes it more difficult for state and federal agencies to make real-time water decisions and explicitly overrides the Endangered Species Act. According to Congressional Quarterly, “This bill takes numerous actions intended to quickly increase the availability of water for agricultural, municipal and industrial users in California’s drought-stricken Central Valley, including by requiring that more water from rainstorms early in the state’s ‘water year’ be pumped south to users in the San Joaquin Valley and by requiring the Interior and Commerce departments to approve any emergency projects or operations that would quickly provide additional water to those users.” Also according to Congressional Quarterly, “The bill will make it more difficult for state and federal agencies to make real-time water decisions affecting millions of Californians and will favor some groups over others, they argue, by undermining local water rights at the expense of sound environmental policy. The changes made, they say, would place the entire West Coast's environment, tribes, communities and fishing industry in harm's way in the next drought year.” The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 230 to 182. The bill died in the Senate. [House Vote 553, 12/9/14; Congressional Quarterly, 12/5/14; Congressional Quarterly, Accessed 9/22/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5781]
DESANTIS VOTED TO PROHIBIT TRADE DEALS FROM REQUIRING CLIMATE CHANGE OBLIGATIONS
2015: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit Future Trade Deals From Requiring Climate Change Obligations As Part Of A Customs And Trade Enforcement Bill. In December 2015, DeSantis voted for legislation that modified future U.S. trade objectives to include a requirement that no trade deal could include climate change obligations as part of a customs and trade enforcement bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “amend[ed] the Trade Promotion Authority law (PL 114-26) enacted earlier this year to add more negotiating objectives for future trade agreements, including language: […] To ensure that trade agreements ‘do not establish obligations for the United States regarding greenhouse gas emissions measures, including obligations that require changes to U.S. laws or regulations or that would affect the implementation of such laws or regulations,’ other than those fulfilling other negotiating objectives in TPA.” The underlying legislation was a conference report that would have “formally establish[ed] the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and authorize[d] the CBP to use an automated import-export processing system […] strengthen[ed] enforcement of intellectual property rights and […] would [have] permanently ban[ned] state and local taxation of Internet access and ends grandfathered Internet access taxation in seven states.” The vote was on the conference report. The House passed the legislation by a vote of 256 to 158. The Senate then passed the bill, which was signed into law by the president. [House Vote 693, 12/11/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/11/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/10/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 644]
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Allowing Future Trade Deals To Require Climate Change Obligations As Part Of Future Trade Deals. In December 2015, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment to a customs and trade enforcement bill that would allow future trade deals to allow climate change obligations. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would have “allow[ed] climate change and human trafficking provisions in trade deals, and that would insist on the currency manipulation provisions included in the Senate amendments, defining currency undervaluation as an illegal subsidy and thereby making it subject to duty laws.” The underlying legislation was a conference report that would was a trade enforcement and customs bill. The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 172 to 239. [House Vote 692, 12/11/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/11/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/10/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 644]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit Trade Deals From Requiring Changes To U.S. Law Regarding Climate Change As Part Of Trade Enforcement Legislation. In June 2015, DeSantis voted for legislation that modified U.S. trade objectives to include a requirement that no trade deal could include climate change obligations as part of a trade enforcement bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “amend[ed] Trade Promotion Authority within HR 1314, once it is enacted, to add additional trade negotiating objectives, including language on: […] Climate Change — To ensure that trade agreements ‘do not require changes to U.S. law or obligate the United States with respect to global warming or climate change.’” The underlying legislation “formally establish[ed] U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in statute […] [and] include[ed] a number of provisions dealing with enforcement of U.S. trade laws, including U.S. intellectual property rights and anti-dumping and countervailing duty laws.” The vote was on a motion to concur with the Senate amendments with an amendment. The House agreed to the amendment by a vote of 240 to 190. The House and Senate later conferenced, and a final version of the bill, with a similar provision, was signed into law. [House Vote 363, 6/12/15; Congressional Quarterly, 6/11/15; Congressional Quarterly, 6/12/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 644]