Summary
Pence, 2000: “Global Warming Is A Myth.” According to Mike Pence For Congress, “Global warming is a myth. The global warming treaty is a disaster. There, I said it. Just like the ‘new ice age’ scare of the 1970’s, the environmental movement has found a new chant for their latest ‘chicken little’ attempt to raise taxes and grow centralized governmental power. The chant is ‘the sky is warming! the sky is warming!’. The only problem is that many Americans, including Vice President Al Gore, didn’t learn of their deceit the last time around and are buying this new bit hook, line and sinker.” [Mike Pence For Congress via Wayback Machine, 2000]
Pence, 2000: “Most Climatologists Agree That, At Best, Global Warming Is A Theory About Future Climactic Conditions And Cannot Be Proven Based Upon The Historic Record.” According to Mike Pence For Congress, “Several problems arise when one considers the issue of global warming. First, the earth is actually cooler today than it was about 50 years ago. In fact, most climatologists agree that, at best, global warming is a theory about future climactic conditions and cannot be proven based upon the historic record.” [Mike Pence For Congress via Wayback Machine, 2000]
2000: Pence Called Global Warming A Myth Created By Environmentalists In Their “Latest Chicken Little Attempt To Raise Taxes And Grow Centralized Government Power.” According to The StarPress, “When he was running for Congress in 2000, Mike Pence called global warming a myth created by environmentalists in their ‘latest Chicken Little attempt to raise taxes and grow centralized government power.’ ‘The chant is, ‘the sky is warming, the sky is warming.’’ He also asserted that the earth was actually cooler in 2000 than it was 50 years ago, and that greenhouse gases were real but mostly the result of volcanoes, hurricanes and underwater geologic displacements.” [StarPress, 4/27/15]
Pence Doubted The Presence Of Climate Change. According to The Star Press, “Climate change is being observed in the Great Lakes region as winters are getting shorter, while annual average temperatures, the number of extreme heat events and the number of heavy precipitation events are increasing, according to the Purdue University Climate Change Research Center. […]Ball State University President Jo Ann Gora and Delaware County Commissioner John Brooke believe global warming is linked directly to human activity, while U.S. Rep. Mike Pence remains a doubter.” [Star Press, 4/21/08]
Pence, 2012: “I Think The Issue Of Climate Change -- And The Cause Of Any Climate Change That’s Occurring -- Is A Subject Of Scientific Debate.” According to NUVO, “NUVO: Are you at all concerned about man-made climate change?[…] PENCE: I’m concerned about policies like a national energy tax that would work such a hardship on Hoosier utility ratepayers. I think the issue of climate change -- and the cause of any climate change that’s occurring -- is a subject of scientific debate. And I think the science should always drive that debate, but I strongly oppose efforts to enact cap and trade legislation at the national level.” [NUVO, 9/27/12]
2009: Pence Voted Against Creating A “Cap-And-Trade” System To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. In June 2009, Pence voted against creating a “cap-and-trade” system aimed at reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. According to Congressional Quarterly, the bill “would [have] create[d] a cap-and-trade system for limiting greenhouse gas emissions and set new requirements for electric utilities. The EPA would [have] be[en] allowed to auction emission allowances to permit the buyer to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases. Under the bill, three-quarters of emission allowances would [have] be[en] provided to polluters free of charge, based on formulas, when the cap-and-trade program would [have] beg[u]n in 2012. Remaining allowances would [have] be[en] sold at auction. By 2030, 75 percent of the allowances would [have] be[en] sold to polluters by EPA. The bill would [have] limit[ed] emissions at 17 percent below current levels in 2020, 42 percent in 2030 and 83 percent in 2050.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 219 to 212. The bill was received in the Senate, but no further action was taken on it. [House Vote 477, 6/26/09; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2454; Congressional Quarterly, 6/26/09]
PenceClaimed That Higher Energy Costs Would Result
2009: Pence Against Cap And Trade Bill Because “Utility Rates Of Every American Household [Could] Go Up By More Than $3,100 Per Year.” While appearing on Federal News Service, Pence said, “Now, you’ve got the EPA essentially saying that carbon dioxide represents a threat to the environment and that’s going to set into motion, Democrats on Capitol Hill and this administration, bringing forward a cap and trade bill, which literally could see the utility rates of every American household go up by more than $3,100 per year.” [Federal News Service, 4/20/09]
Pence Offered An Alternative Proposal That Had No Limits On Greenhouse Gases And Promoted Non-Fossil Energy Use. According to Associated Press Financial Wire, “Pence outlined the alternative proposal that he and several other House Republicans unveiled earlier this week. The GOP plan included no mandatory limits on greenhouse gases something that supporters of the Democratic bill argue is essential to reduce the risks of global warming. Still, Pence maintains the GOP plan will promote nonfossil energy use. ‘The Republican energy plan calls for more domestic exploration for oil and natural gas, renewed commitment to clean emission-free nuclear energy, investments in renewable and alternative energy technologies and incentives to spur greater conservation among individuals and businesses,’ he said.” [Associated Press Financial Wire, 6/13/09]
Pence Called Greenhouse Gases “Result Of Volcanoes, Hurricanes And Underwater Geologic Displacements”
Pence, 2000: “The Greenhouse Gases Alluded To Are Real But Are Mostly The Result Of Volcanoes, Hurricanes And Underwater Geologic Displacements.” According to Mike Pence For Congress, “Second, the greenhouse gases alluded to are real but are mostly the result of volcanoes, hurricanes and underwater geologic displacements. Regrettably, none of these causes can be corralled by environmentalists hungry for regulation and taxes and, therefore, must be ignored.” [Mike Pence For Congress via Wayback Machine, 2000]
Pence Said He Would Not Follow The Clean Power Plan To Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Even If It Was Upheld By The Supreme Court. According to The Indianapolis Star, “Indiana won’t come up with its own plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, even if a federal reduction requirement is upheld in court, Gov. Mike Pence said Saturday. The federal rule, known as the Clean Power Plan, recently was put on hold by the Supreme Court until legal challenges are finished. That left states in the position of deciding whether to keep working on how to achieve the reductions if the plan is upheld. […] Pence said he already had decided Indiana would not move forward with its own plan. Under the rule, Indiana would have had to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated per unit of electricity more than 38 percent from 2012 levels by 2030.” [Indianapolis Star, 2/21/16]
Karen Tallian Op-Ed: Pence’s Lawsuit Against The EPA’s Updated Clean Power Plan Rules Was Wrong. According to a Karen Tallian op-ed in the Fort Wayne Gazette, “Recently, the Pence administration issued a letter to the Obama administration, threatening that Indiana will not abide by the Environmental Protection Agency’s updated rules under the Clean Power Plan. Gov. Mike Pence also issued a statement denouncing those policies. I believe the governor is wrong, both in his underlying philosophy and in his response to the federal plan.” [Karen Tallian op-ed, Fort Wayne Gazette, 7/14/15]
Fort Wayne Gazette Editorial: Pence Put Indiana On The Forefront In The Fight Against The EPA On Coal Emissions. According to an editorial from the Fort Wayne Gazette, “Indiana was one of almost two dozen states that brought the suit that forced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency back to the drawing board on air pollution regulations related to mercury and other toxic emissions. Gov. Mike Pence labeled the ruling ‘a victory for Indiana and for Hoosiers.’ A few days before, Pence had announced what seemed to be a dramatic stand against another set of EPA air rules. If the agency’s final plan to control carbon emissions was no better than the draft version, Pence wrote, Indiana ‘will not comply.’ Though it was his strongest yet, the governor’s statement was only the latest of his pro-coal, anti-EPA pronouncements. With assistance from Attorney General Greg Zoeller, Pence has put Indiana in the forefront of every recent fight to defend the coal industry from what the state considers undue interference from pollution regulators. In fact, Indiana and 13 other petitioners have already attempted to sue the EPA just for drafting the proposed rules; a federal court dismissed that case, but Pence indicated he will refile if that same plan is finalized next month.” [Editorial – Fort Wayne Gazette, 7/6/15]
Alison Cassidy Op-Ed: Pence’s Indiana Burned More Coal For Power Than Any State Except For Texas. According to an Alison Cassidy op-ed in the South Bend Tribune, “Pence has the opportunity to lead his state in the same direction. Indiana burns more coal for power generation than any other state except Texas. But the state has tremendous opportunities for cleaner generation. The Department of Energy has determined that Indiana is one of the top states in terms of potential for wind energy development in the coming years. Northwest Indiana already is home to the Meadow Lake Wind Farm, one of the largest wind farms in the country. Overall, wind power could meet the state’s energy demands four times over, according to the American Wind Energy Association.” [Alison Cassidy op-ed, South Bend Tribune, 9/30/15]
2011: Pence Voted To Block EPA’s Water-Quality Regulations For Mountaintop Removal Mining And Surface Mining. In February 2011, Pence voted for an amendment that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would [have] bar[red] the use [sic: of] funds made available in the bill to implement, administer or enforce EPA regulations and guidance issued on surface coal-mining permit coordination, or to carry out EPA reviews of surface coal-mining operations under the Clean Water Act and the Environmental Justice Executive Order issued April 1, 2010.” The vote was on agreeing to the amendment. The House approved the amendment by a vote of 235 to 185, but the House and Senate could not agree on the legislation. [House Vote 129, 2/19/11; Congressional Quarterly, 2/19/11; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1] [House Vote 119, 2/18/11; Congressional Quarterly, 2/18/11; Congressional Actions, H.R.1]
2011: Pence Voted To Block EPA Regulations That Labeled Coal Waste A Hazardous Waste Subject To The Solid Waste Disposal Act. In February 2011, Pence voted for an amendment that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would [have] bar[red] the use of funds made available in the bill for the EPA to develop, propose, finalize, implement, administer or enforce any regulation that identifies or lists fossil fuel combustion waste as hazardous waste subject to regulation under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, or otherwise make fossil fuel combustion waste subject to regulation under the law.” The vote was on agreeing to the amendment. The House approved the amendment by a vote of 239 to 183, but the House and Senate could not agree on the legislation. [House Vote 136, 2/19/11; Congressional Quarterly, 2/19/11; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2012: Pence Voted For A Bill To Prevent Federal Regulators From Issuing Rules To Limit Coal Mining. In September 2012, Pence voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would [have] prevent[ed] the Interior Department from issuing new rules that would limit surface mining and reclamation operations or adversely impact coal-mining revenue, employment or production. It also would [have] create[d] an interagency committee to review federal regulations and create a regulatory framework for the establishment of state-level permitting programs for the storage of coal combustion residuals. The bill would [have] transfer[ed] authority from the EPA to the states to allow them to make determinations on water quality standards and bar[red] the EPA from issuing regulations on greenhouse gas emissions in association with efforts to reduce climate change.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 233 to 175. The Senate referred the bill to the Committee on Environment and Public Works and no further action was taken. [House Vote 603, 9/21/12; Congressional Quarterly, 9/21/12; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3409]
2011: Pence Voted To Eliminate Funding For Energy Efficiency And Renewable Programs In The FY 2012 Energy And Water Appropriations Bill. In July 2011, Pence voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “eliminate[d] all funding for energy-efficiency and renewable-energy programs.” The underlying legislation was the FY 2012 Energy and Water appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 69 to 354. [House Vote 591, 7/15/11; Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/11; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 668; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2354]
Pence Wanted To Cut Funding By $70 Million
2011: Pence Voted To Cut Funding For Energy Efficiency And Renewable-Energy Programs By $70 Million. In February 2011, Pence voted for an amendment that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would [have] decrease[d] funding for energy efficiency and renewable-energy programs at the Energy Department by $70 million.” The vote was on agreeing to the amendment, which the House rejected by a vote of 137 to 293. [House Vote 58, 2/16/11; Congressional Quarterly, 2/16/11; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2007: Pence Voted Against An Omnibus Energy Bill That Set Energy Efficiency Standards, Required Oil And Gas Producers To Pay A Fee To Drill On Federal Land, And Aimed To Eliminate Greenhouse-Gas Emissions By Federal Agencies By 2050. In August 2007, Pence voted against a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “set new efficiency standards for appliances, lighting and buildings, and create[d] new programs to research infrastructure and delivery of alternative fuels. The bill would [have] require[d] oil and natural gas producers who pay no royalties on leased federal land to agree to renegotiate their leases or pay a new fee. It would [have] expand[ed] an existing federal program to promote the capture and storage of carbon dioxide and set a goal of eliminating greenhouse-gas emissions by federal agencies by 2050. As amended, it would [have] require[d] utilities, starting in 2010, to produce at least 2.75 percent of electricity from renewable sources, with percentages rising each year to 15 percent by 2020.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 241 to 172. Subsequently, the Senate used the bill as the vehicle for legislation overhauling Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; however, a later version of this energy bill, H.R. 6, later passed both Houses and was signed into law. [House Vote 832, 8/4/07; Congressional Quarterly, 8/4/07; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3221; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6]
2007: Pence Voted Against Requiring New Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards Of 35 Miles Per Gallon For Cars And Light Trucks And Require 36 Billion Gallons Of Biofuels Production By 2022. In December 2007, Pence voted against a motion that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d] new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards of 35 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks, and require 36 billion gallons of biofuels to be produced and used domestically by 2022. It also [] direct[ed] the Energy Department to set new energy efficiency standards. It [] include[d] a $2.1 billion tax package to cover the cost of the new CAFE standards.” The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill, which cleared the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 for the president who signed the bill into law. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 314 to 100. [House Vote 1177, 12/18/07; Congressional Quarterly, 12/18/07; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6]
2012: Pence Voted For That Would Bar The Environmental Protection Agency From Issuing Regulations To Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions To Reduce Climate Change. In September 2012, Pence voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “bar[red] the EPA from issuing regulations on greenhouse gas emissions in association with efforts to reduce climate change.” The underlying bill also prevented federal regulators from issuing new regulations related to coal mining. The House passed the bill by a vote of 233 to 175. The Senate referred the bill to the Committee on Environment and Public Works and no further action was taken. [House Vote 603, 9/21/12; Congressional Quarterly, 9/21/12; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3409]
2011: Pence Voted To Prohibit The Environmental Protection Agency And The States From Addressing Climate Change By Regulating Greenhouse Gases. In April 2011, Pence voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would [have] prohibit[ed] the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases in any effort to address climate change. It would [have] amend[ed] the Clean Air Act to strike specific elements from the definition of ‘air pollutant,’ unless regulation of those chemicals is not used in an attempt to address climate change. It also would [have] clarif[ied] that the bill does not limit the authority of a state to regulate the emission of a greenhouse gas, unless the regulation attempts to address climate change.” The vote was on passage of the bill; the House passed it by a vote of 255 to 172. The bill was subsequently sent to the Senate, which took no substantive action on the measure. [House Vote 249, 4/7/11; Congressional Quarterly, 4/7/11; Congressional Actions, H.R. 910]
Pence Supported The Keystone XL Pipeline: “In Saying ‘No’ To The Keystone XL Pipeline, The President Is Saying No To Energy Independence And To Thousands Of Good-Paying New Jobs.” According to a Mike Pence press release obtained via The Office Of Rep. Mike Pence, “With unemployment at a heartbreaking 8.5 percent, I am profoundly disappointed that the president has rejected the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. In saying ‘no’ to the Keystone XL pipeline, the president is saying no to energy independence and to thousands of good-paying new jobs. I urge the president to reconsider his opposition to this job-creating pipeline.’” [Office Of Rep. Mike Pence, 1/18/12]
2012: Pence Voted To Approve The Keystone XL Pipeline. In March, 2012, Pence effectively voted to support approving the Keystone XL Pipeline, the Republican Study Committee’s proposed budget resolution covering fiscal years 2013 to 2022. According to the Republican Study Committee, “This budget calls for a policy that green-lights the Keystone pipeline.” The vote was on an amendment to the House budget resolution replacing the entire budget with the RSC’s proposed budget; the amendment failed by a vote of 136 to 285. [House Vote 149, 3/29/12; Republican Study Committee, 3/12]
2010: Mike Pence Said “I Think We Ought To Build 100 New Nuclear Plants In The Next 20 Years." According to The Star Press, “On nuclear power: ‘I think we ought to build 100 new nuclear plants in the next 20 years.’” [Star Press, 1/7/10]
May 2008: Pence Called On Congress To Help Reduce Gas Prices By Drilling, Calling Drilling An “Environmentally Responsible Way” Of Achieving Energy Independence.” According to a Mike Pence press release obtained via Congressional Press Releases, “Congressman Mike Pence gave the following speech today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, urging Congress to take action to lessen dependence on foreign oil and to give the American people greater access to more domestic sources of oil. ‘This morning in my hometown of Columbus, Indiana, gasoline hit $3.99 a gallon, just shy of $4.00. ‘So I rise this morning to ask my colleagues: ‘What’s it gonna to take? What’s it gonna to take to get this Congress to take action to lessen our dependence on foreign oil?’ ‘Democrats think we can tax our way to lower gas prices, or this week, sue our way to lower gas prices. ‘But the American people know the only way to lessen our dependence on foreign oil is to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. ‘Only by drilling in an environmentally responsible way on American soil and off American shores can the American people increase global supply and reduce the price of oil.” [Congressional Press Releases, 5/22/08]
Pence Announced Support For Immediate Action On Freeing Up American Oil—This Included Oil From The Arctic, The Gulf Of Mexico And The Pacific And Atlantic Oceans. According to The Star Press, “It’s likely that Congress will vote on a comprehensive energy bill this fall, but Pence is asking, ‘Why wait?’ Pence supports oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans off the East Coast and West Coast.” [Star Press, 8/7/08]
Pence Claimed If Americans Had More Access To American Oil, It Would Encourage Wind, Solar, Hydrogen, And Nuclear Power, As Well As Alternative Fuels And More Fuel Efficient Vehicles. According to The Star Press, “If the House got the chance to vote on a comprehensive energy bill like the American Energy Act, Pence is confident it would pass. Comprehensive energy legislation would not only give the American people more access to American oil, it also would encourage wind, solar, hydrogen and nuclear power, alternative fuels and more fuel-efficient vehicles, said Pence, adding, ‘I’m for all of the above.’ Pence says the mere passage of such legislation would immediately lower gas prices.” [Star Press, 8/7/08]
June 2008: Pence Called On Congress To “Drill More, Drill Now” Because It Would Reduce Gas Prices. According to a Mike Pence press release obtained via Congressional Press Releases, “U.S. Congressman Mike Pence gave the following speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today, calling on Congress to increase domestic oil production. ‘Hoosiers are struggling in the aftermath of some of the worst storms in our state’s history. But even amidst the cleanup last weekend, I was still hearing about gasoline prices. ‘At more than $4 a gallon in Indiana, working families, small businesses and family farms are hurting. Everywhere I went I heard the same thing, and it wasn’t ‘nationalize our refineries,’ as the Democrats are apparently planning to do. ‘The American people I heard from in Indiana said, ‘Drill for more oil on American soil.’ ‘Hoosiers know the only way to lessen our dependence on foreign oil is to give the American people more access to American oil. ‘So I say to my countrymen, call your Congressmen right now and tell this Congress: ‘drill more, drill now and we’ll pay less.” [Congressional Press Releases, 6/19/08]
Pence Received Campaign Contributions From Ashland Inc., BP Corp. North America, Exxon Mobil, the Petroleum Marketers Association, The Society Of Independent Gasoline Marketers And Valero Energy Corp. According to The Star Press, “In the past year, Pence has received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Ashland Inc., BP Corp. North America, Exxon Mobil, the Petroleum Marketers Association, the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers and Valero Energy Corp. ‘I am a friend of free-market economics and conservative values,’ Pence said in an interview. ‘At the time when issues intersect where my conservative values result in a vote that meets the expectation of oil companies, that’s a coincidence, not a result of a relationship.’” [Star Press, 8/7/08]
Since 2001, Pence Supported Efforts To Make Offshore Drilling Faster, More Accessible, And More Widespread With Less Regulations
| Year | Summary | Bill |
| 2012 | Expanded Oil Production Off U.S. Coastline | House Vote 71, 2/16/12; Congressional Actions, 1/3/13; Congressional Quarterly, 2/16/12 |
| 2011 | Expand The Area Available For Outer Continental Shelf Oil And Natural Gas Drilling | House Vote 320, 5/12/11; Congressional Quarterly, 5/12/11; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1231 |
| 2011 | Increase Offshore Oil And Gas Drilling By Expediting Permitting And Conducting Lease Sales | House Vote 293, 5/5/11; CQ Floor Votes, 5/5/11 |
| 2010 | End The Moratorium On New Deepwater Drilling | House Vote 512, 7/30/10; Congressional Quarterly, 7/30/10; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3534 |
| 2009 | Expansion Oil And Gas Extraction | House Vote 191, 4/2/09; House Budget Committee, 4/1/09 |
| 2006 | End The Federal Moratorium On Most Offshore Drilling, And To Empower States To Control Drilling Within 100 Miles Of Their Coasts | House Vote 356, 6/29/06; Congressional Quarterly, 6/29/06; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4761 |
| 2006 | End Moratorium On Natural Gas Drilling And Exploration Along The Outer Continental Shelf | House Vote 170, 5/18/06; Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/06; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5386 |
| 2001 | Give Incentives For Offshore Deepwater Drilling | House Vote 320, 8/2/01; Congressional Quarterly, 8/2/01; Congressional Quarterly, 7/31/01; Congressional Quarterly, 7/31/01; Congressional Record, 8/1/01; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4 |
2012: Pence Voted Against Requiring Safety Improvements On New Offshore Drilling Leases In Response To The Deepwater Horizon Disaster. In July 2012 Pence voted against an amendment that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would [have] require[d] leases offered under the bill to include new safety requirements, such as third-party verification of safety systems, blowout preventer performance standards and implement[ed] technologies that would limit the risk of hydrocarbon ignition.” The underlying bill pertained to expanded offshore drilling. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 189 to 232. [House Vote 506, 7/25/12; Congressional Quarterly, 7/25/12]
2010: Pence Voted Against Adding New Safety Regulations For Offshore Oil Drilling While Repealing The $75 Million Cap On Offshore Oil Spill Liability In The Wake Of The BP Oil Spill. In July 2010, Pence voted against a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would repeal the current $75 million cap on liability for offshore oil spills. It also would abolish the agency formerly known as the Minerals Management Service in the Interior Department and assign its responsibilities to three new agencies in the department. It would create numerous new safety regulations for leases for offshore oil and gas development, including features designed to prevent well blowouts, and it would require some holders of leases to renegotiate royalty payments disputed by industry. As amended it would prevent oil companies from shifting oil spill cleanup costs onto taxpayers in the event one of its subsidiaries goes bankrupt.” The vote was on final passage. The House approved the bill by a vote of 209 to 193, but the Senate took no action on it. [House Vote 513, 7/30/10; Congressional Quarterly, 7/30/10; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3534]
2001: Pence Voted Against Banning Oil And Gas Drilling In The Great Lakes. In June 2001, Pence voted against banning oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would have, “ban[ned] oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes, Lake Saint Clair, and the Saint Mary's, Saint Clair, Detroit, Niagara and Saint Lawrence Rivers.” The underlying measure was H.R. 2311, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 2002. The vote was on the amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 265 to 157. The underlying bill was passed by the House and later became back law after a conference with the Senate where a related measure was included, but only included a two year moratorium. [House Vote 203, 6/28/01; Congressional Quarterly, 6/28/01; League of Conservation Voters, Accessed 11/3/15; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 127; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2311]
| Year | Bill |
| 2007 | House Vote 40, 1/18/07; Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 12/20/07; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6 |
| 2007 | House Vote 1140, 12/6/07; Congressional Quarterly, 12/6/07; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6 |
| 2007 | House Vote 1177, 12/18/07; Congressional Quarterly, 12/18/07; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6 |
| 2001 | House Vote 311, 8/1/01; Congressional Quarterly, 8/1/01; New York Times, 5/18/01; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 288; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4 |
2007: Pence Voted Against Authorizing $463 Million For The Appalachian Regional Commission, Including Funding For Energy Projects. In July 2007, Pence voted against legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “authorize[d] a total of $463 million over five years for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), including a new program that would provide grants and other assistance for energy projects. Commission funds earmarked for a state in appropriations bills would [have] be[en] counted against the amount that the state would receive under the ARC formula distribution.” The vote was on the legislation. The House adopted the bill by a vote of 332 to 70. The bill died in the Senate. [House Vote 632, 7/16/07; Congressional Quarterly, 7/16/07; Congressional Actions, H.R. 799]