Fighting for strong environmental standards and conservation programs will always be a top priority for me. I believe our environment is one of our planet's greatest treasures. It is imperative that Congress reaffirm and strengthen our commitment to safeguarding our natural resources. I will fight to ensure that our most vulnerable areas are preserved for future generations, and that Americans are provided safe public drinking water, undisturbed habitats for fish and wildlife, and clean air to breathe.

Recent disasters such as Hurricane Sandy have highlighted how vulnerable our coastline is to climate change. The only response to this crisis is to proactively reduce carbon emissions and invest in programs that promote energy efficiency. I support an energy plan that has a balanced approach, helps consumers now, boosts production of energy from alternative sources, draws from a diverse energy supply, stresses conservation, and protects the environment. Addressing America’s reliance on fossil fuels by investing in renewable-energy sources is essential for protecting our environment and ensuring our nation’s energy security. I will continue to work to ensure expanded domestic energy production does not come at the expense of protecting the environment.

I am a proud cosponsor of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act, H.R. 1630, and the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act, H.R. 139, which would designate 9.2 million acres of Utah land and the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska as protected wilderness in order to preserve their unique natural ecosystems. I have also sponsored the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act, H.R. 64, to establish programs to protect the 4-State Delaware River Basin region. Additionally, I have been active in protecting the Long Island Sound by sponsoring the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act, H.R. 2174, and supporting sufficient funding for the Long Island Sound Restoration Project. We must continue our efforts to protect and restore this precious resource that is so vital to our environment, quality of life and the local economy.

I am proud of my record as an advocate for protecting the environment during my time in the New York State Assembly, especially my role in supporting a bill that would have instituted a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in New York State. As the debate over allowing hydrofracking continues in New York and elsewhere, it is critical that the federal government ensure that natural-gas extraction is done safely and responsibly. I am carefully watching the issue of hydrofracking in New York. I am a proud cosponsor of the Focused Reduction of Effluence and Stormwater runoff through Hydrofracking Environmental Regulation (FRESHER) Act, H.R. 1175, and the Bringing Reductions to Energy's Airborne Toxic Health Effects (BREATHE) Act, H.R. 1154. Together, these bills would bring domestic oil and gas exploration under the permitting systems established by the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. As a result, companies would have to show that their projects conform to environmental regulations and be more transparent about the chemicals used.

As the mother of two young children, I am committed to ensuring that all children growing up in Queens and across the United States have drinkable water, breathable air, and safe and accessible parks. More sustainable practices will benefit both public health and our economy. It is critical that we act now to reduce harmful pollution, curb carbon emissions, and promote energy efficiency.

I will continue to fight for environmental policies that protect the health and well-being of our communities today and in the future.