I am lobbying for the Clean Chemicals Act of 2011. Currently, the bill is in the Senate, in committee. With a bit of research, I found out that my bill is currently in the
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. None of the representatives from my state are in this committee. The chair is
Barbara Boxer, a democrat from California. I looked at her voting record, and it was clear she would be for the bill. Right now, the bill is in the subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics, and Environmental Health. Luckily for my bill, the chair of that subcommittee is
Frank R. Lautenberg, the New Jersey representative who first introduced the bill. The minority "ranking members" of committee and subcommittee are republicans from the midwest. Generally, their voting histories make me think that they will be against a powerful bill to control chemical production because it could affect industry. They have no reason to listen to me, because I am not a constituent – nor do I have any ties to their states. Because they are the minority, however, I still hope that my bill can make it to Senate.
My representatives in Senate are Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.
Bob Casey, on his website, states that "as a Senator from Pennsylvania, I am committed to protecting the environment, preserving our natural treasures, and safeguarding the health of our families," and states that energy and the environment are among his priorities. He says that he is strongly against fracking, and has cosponsored one bill that would "close big oil tax loopholes". However, based on the list of legislation he has sponsored and cosponsored, his priorities seem to lie much more with veterans and education. He has four daughters, all of whom are around my age, and he plays basketball – so I would definitely be able to start a conversation with him.
Pat Toomey, on the other hand, will certainly not want the bill to be passed. One of his slogans is "More Jobs, Less Government" (see image below). Because of this, he will certainly not want more restrictions on companies that could be producing more and hiring more. He even introduced the Employment Protection Act of 2011, which would make the EPA "consider the impact on employment levels and economic activity" before any regulatory action. The Clean Chemicals Act is certainly in conflict with this bill. I looked for interests he and I might share, and found nothing. I am uncertain how I will be able to argue for this bill against someone who so clearly is opposed to anything of the kind.
If the bill gets through Senate, it will go to the House of Representatives. There, my representative if Chaka Fattah (see district map below). Looking through his legislative record, it is clear that his priority lies with education – from early childhood care to college funding. Howeve, he also sponsored the Clean Energy Act of 2010, which would have supported research into nuclear energy and other forms of renewable power. Based on this, I think he is highly likely to support the Clean Chemicals Act of 2011. Because of his interest in education, especially public education, I would definitely try to start a conversation by talking to him about my school.
For the post part, my representatives and the people on the bill's committee look like they'll support it. However, the opponents of the bill look quite immovable: Toomey, with whom I have very little in common, and the various Senators who are strongly opposed to the bill and do not have any reason to listen to some girl from Pennsylvania.
(from Toomey's campaign website)
(from
www.house.gov, representative search by zip code.)
