Thank you, thank you, thank you, friend.

Because thousands of LCV supporters like you spoke out, this week the House passed three historic bills to protect the Arctic Refuge, our coasts, and oceans from Big Polluters. Thanks to you, pro-environment representatives prioritized and supported these historic bills because they heard from their constituents just how important it is to protect our communities and planet.

Your participation in our democracy is having a major impact. By holding your member of Congress accountable with personal messages and support for LCV's work, you helped representatives in the pro-environment House push these bills over the finish line. When dedicated environmental advocates speak out to protect our communities and environment — we win.

For all of us at LCV, these fights are critical to our work in solidarity with the people most impacted by these policies, such as the Gwich'in people who have led the fight to protect their home, the Arctic Refuge, and the coastal communities who have led the fight against offshore drilling.

After months of fighting Trump's plans to sell oil and gas leases in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and massively expand offshore drilling off US coastlines, the House just passed these three historic bills to stop the Trump administration's pro-polluter agenda. Here's more information on each bill:

• The Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act (H.R. 1146) — passed by a 225 — 193 margin: This bill overturns a mandate in the 2017 tax bill to hold two oil and gas lease sales in the Refuge's coastal plain, halting Trump's plan to drill in the cultural and biological heart of the Refuge if it becomes law. Protecting the Refuge is a matter of basic human rights and environmental stewardship for the Gwich'in people, and LCV is committed to following their lead in this fight.
• The Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act (H.R. 1941) — passed by a 238 — 189 margin: This bill will ban offshore drilling off the entire Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Coastal communities are already at the frontlines of the climate crisis, and it's imperative we act to protect these communities from the risk of devastating oil spills.
• The Protecting and Securing Florida's Coastline Act (H.R. 205) — passed by a 248 — 180 margin: This bill will permanently extend the offshore drilling moratorium in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. We know how devastating even one spill in the Gulf of Mexico can be, so it's critical to ban drilling in this region.

I can't say it enough, friend: This victory wouldn't have been possible without you. With your support, LCV was able to mobilize thousands of supporters to prioritize the needs of our communities and oppose the Trump administration's pro-polluter agenda.

But the fight isn't over yet. To make these bills law, the Senate still needs to vote and pass these bills. We're going to work with our pro-environment champions in the Senate to make sure this legislation is prioritized and we'll keep you informed every step of the way.

Thank you for all that you do.

Vinnie Wishrad
Membership and Online Engagement, SVP
League of Conservation Voters