Issue Position: Restoring our Environment

Issue Position

The Chesapeake Bay

I am committed to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. As a Member of the Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over Bay issues, I have introduced legislation that would fundamentally alter the management of the current restoration activities to allow for more coordination and efficiency, so that there is accountability in how restoration dollars are being spent. This legislation passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 418-1 on September 20, 2009, and I am working with my colleagues in the Senate to get it passed and signed into law. The Chesapeake Bay is North America's largest estuary, and it is my hope that we can greatly improve the health of this environmental, economic, and recreational treasure.

Out-of-State Waste

I have introduced the Solid Waste Interstate Transportation Act of 2009, which would give states and localities more control over how much trash they receive from other states. Virginia is one of the top recipients of out-of-state waste, and our landfills are being polluted with harmful contaminants that will be paid for by generations to come.

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