Issue Position: Protecting the Evironment and Great Lakes

Issue Position

We need to protect our environment and natural resources because our nation's public lands and waterways are irreplaceable. Nowhere does this hit closer to home than Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes basin. Millions of people live, work, play, or get their drinking water from these waters which also serve as an important economic engine for our region. In the Milwaukee area, a number of water-related companies have chosen to set up shop because of Lake Michigan.

Yet, we know the Great Lakes face serious challenges including the threat from invasive species, ongoing development, and pollution. The federal government has an important role to play in addressing these threats to ensure that economic, environmental and recreational benefits remain for future generations. I have worked to pass legislation that makes it easier to identify and track invasive species and prevent them from getting to the Great Lakes.

During my tenure in Congress, I have consistently supported legislation to help protect the Great Lakes, our nation's public lands, parks and forests, and our air and water. This includes my strong support for reauthorizing the Great Lakes Legacy Act, which helps remove contaminated sediment from our waterways. I have also opposed efforts to increase oil drilling in sensitive environmental areas and logging in our national forests. Otherwise, we would undermine the important protections of the Endangered Species Act.

Great Lakes communities have long taken pride in protecting our region's natural resources. As a Member of Congress, I will continue to work to ensure that the federal government does its part.

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