Energy & the Environment
California's 37th Congressional District is home to beautiful natural landscapes that we must preserve for future generations.
Congressmember Karen Bass understands that protecting the environment is a critical part of protecting the health of all Americans. Clean air and water and the preservation of natural resources are issues of utmost concern to protect both Americans today and of future generations. Combating climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing both our nation and the entire international community.
In order to address these issues, Congressmember Bass is committed to investing in new technology and renewable resources that meet America’s increasing energy needs and protect both the environment and national security. Representative Bass believes that investing in cleaner, more cost-effective energy will reduce the effects of global warming, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create clean energy jobs here in America.
Key Environmental Initiatives & Accomplishments
Congressmember Karen Bass is committed to advancing legislation that protects the environment, preserves our natural resources, and provides safe and humane conditions for animals. In fact, as highlighted by the League of Conservation Voters scorecard, Representative Bass has one of the strongest environmental voting records of any Member of the Congress.
Bass Legislation
- Introduced Legislation Banning Use of Federal Funds For Fracking At Inglewood Oil Field
- Read Amendment text here: H.AMDT.286 to H.R.2609
- Voted against the development of the Keystone XL pipeline
- H.R. 3: Northern Route Approval Act
- Voted against drastic cuts to clean energy development and clean water protection
- H.R. 2609: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014
- Voted for protection of conservation programs
- H.R. 2642: Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013
·Co-sponsored Legislation
- H.R.1154: BREATHE Act
- H.R.1351: Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2013
- H.R.627: National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act
- H.R.139: Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act
- H.R.1175: Focused Reduction of Effluence and Stormwater runoff through Hydrofracking Environmental Regulation Act of 2013
- H.R.1921: Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2013
- H.R. 1998: Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act
- H.R. 847: Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act
Environmental Issues in California’s 37th District
California’s 37th District includes a number of environmental treasures as well as a very sizable constituency of environmental activists. Representative Bass is committed to continuing to amplify the voice of her constituents and prioritize the environment in Congress.
Local environmental priorities include:
- Expanding park and recreational facilities
- Ensuring safe extraction of oil in the Inglewood Oil Field
- Protecting Ballona Creek
- Implementing the ground-breaking environmental laws in California, such as AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act
- Reducing pollution by supporting the expansion of public transportation – like the Crenshaw-LAX Light Rail, the Westside Extension Subway, and expanded bus routes
- Cleaning up brownfields
For more information concerning my work and views on energy and the environment, please contact my Washington, DC office. I look forward to your feedback.
More on Energy & the Environment
On the campaign trail, then-candidate Donald J. Trump asked the African-American community “What do you have to lose?” in reference to voting for him. When the Rep. Bass and members of the CBC executive leadership team met with President Trump in March 2017, the caucus answered his question in the form a 130-page policy document titled, “We Have A Lot to Lose: Solutions to Advance Black Families in the 21st Century.” President Trump never responded to the document.
The Representatives wrote:
Throughout the year, Rep. Bass was able to engage and inform thousands of constituents through town halls and community meetings addressing some of the nation’s most critical issues including executive oversight, immigration, workforce development, health care, and foster care. The End of Year Report Back gave Rep. Bass an opportunity to recap this year’s legislative accomplishments and announce her plan for 2018.
“This attack on the environment must also be combatted as yet another instance of dog-whistle politics, this time a targeted and calculated attack against Native Americans in Utah,” said Rep. Bass. “Just 4 days after the end of Native American Heritage Month, President Trump has seized the opportunity to erase a legacy left by President Obama and attack the lands of Native Americans at the same time, all the while exerting total disregard for the work of five sovereign Tribes of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition.
“Climate change denial and policy implementation with no regard for scientific findings make the U.S. look backwards and ridiculous on the world stage. There is no doubt in my mind that the Trump administration’s renegotiation of the Paris Climate Accord will fail to sufficiently protect the environment. This action is President Trump taking yet another step to cede our international leadership by adding our country’s name to the two-country list of Nicaragua and Syria as those that have declined to be a part of this landmark deal.
“The purpose of the meeting, which I think we made very clear, was to answer his question about what our community has to lose,” Rep. Bass said after the meeting. “It’s his budget, it’s his policy, it’s his rhetoric; all of these factors demonstrate what we stand to lose and in some cases, what we’ve already begun to lose in the first fifty days of his administration.”
During the meeting, the CBC Members will provide the President with short- and long-term solutions he can act on during his presidency to advance the African-American community in the United States.
“During the President’s campaign, he asked our community what we have to lose,” Rep. Bass said. “I think the Caucus is looking forward to answering this question and presenting options for the President to explore and hopefully implement.”