Environmental group names Paul Ryan a ‘dirty air villain’

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan and four other Wisconsin lawmakers are among those who vote “dirty,” according to an analysis from an environmental group.

Ryan is the Republican nominee for vice president. He also represents Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District and is running for re-election to the House.

The National Resources Defense Council Action Fund, in a news release, says Ryan is a “dirty voter” for his record – 13 anti-environmental votes – and for accepting $402,831 in “polluter contributions.”

The NRDC, in an analysis released on Sept. 12, identified 193 House members and 39 senators as “dirty air villains” for voting against clean air protections. The other lawmakers from Wisconsin to make the list are U.S. Reps. Sean Duffy, Reid Ribble and James Sensenbrenner and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson.

“Our analysis reveals the full extent of big polluters’ reach into Congress, where some members, especially in the Tea party-influenced House, do not miss a single opportunity to side with the dirty industry, leaving the rest of us to fend for ourselves,” said Heather Taylor, director of the NRDC Action Fund.

The analysis also identified 99 House members and 43 senators as “clean air heroes,” including one in Wisconsin – U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin.

The NRDC review looked at 13 clean air votes in the House and four votes in the Senate, as well as campaign contributions. All the villains in the House are Republicans. In the Senate, there are two Democrats and 37 Republicans on the list.

Among the heroes, all are Democrats except two, who are independents.

On the Web…

To find the records of other lawmakers and see voting details go to www.WhoVotesDirty.org.