“The League of Conservation Voters congratulates Representative Holt for maintaining a perfect 100 percent score throughout his tenure in Congress. In his time in Washington, Representative Holt has proven to be a leader in seeking solutions to our greatest energy challenges. We look forward to working with him to ensure that the next Congress finally passes vital legislation that tackles climate change and paves the way to a prosperous, clean energy future.”

League of Conservation Voters, October 17, 2008

[1]New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country and one of the most industrialized. For our residents, preserving the environment isn't a luxury; it is an issue of fundamental importance. A thoughtful approach to our environment affects not only our health and safety, but also quality of life issues such as the length of our commutes and the time we spend with our families.

Rush Holt has led efforts in Congress to clean up our air, land and water; preserve our open spaces; and promote environmentally sound alternative energy sources.

For his efforts, Rep. Holt is one of the few members of Congress who has earned a 100 percent lifetime rating from the League of Conservation Voters.  He has also received a 100 percent from Defenders of Wildlife and an A+ from the American Wilderness Coalition. He received the endorsement of the Sierra Club and the New Jersey Environmental Federation.

The most experienced research scientist in Congress, Rep. Holt is respected for his ability to evaluate problems, formulate practical, sound solutions and advocate effectively for measures to preserve the environment and improve the quality of life for people in Central New Jersey and throughout the country.

His results speak for themselves:

* In the 110th Congress, Rep. Holt successfully led a bipartisan coalition to secure $150 million in funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). LWCF has done tremendous work in states across the country, including New Jersey, to protect open spaces and natural assets.

* Fought to stop ocean dumping off New Jersey's coast and create a scientific advisory panel assembled to prevent contaminated material from being deposited in the ocean.

* Wrote legislation, signed into law by President Bush, that created the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area.  This designation in Central New Jersey will preserve open space, encourage tourism and help educate youth on New Jersey's rich historic role in the American Revolution.

* Wrote landmark legislation to ban reckless snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park, which came within a hairbreadth of passage with a tie vote.  Continues to voice his opposition to the proposal, arguing that it would allow increased air and noise pollution from snowmobiles and ignore recommendations to managers by the agency’s wildlife scientists to limit use.

*Pushed for energy efficient green schools by helping to write legislation, passed in the House, to help states and localities to develop school construction to improve energy efficiency.

*Helped enact the first fuel efficiency standards in 32 years.

*Joined a coalition of Democrats and Republicans in successfully designating the Lower Delaware River a part of our nation's Wild and Scenic River System, preserving the Delaware's natural, historic and economic resources.

* Stood up loud and clear to safeguard our country's environmental treasures from dangerous public policy, including oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Preserve.

* Passed an amendment to the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act that would restrict mining activities that would damage National Parks and Monuments. 

What Editorial Writers are Saying