Tuesday, June 15, 2010

President Obama Addresses the Nation FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT 06/15/10

President Obama Addresses the Nation FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT 06/15/10

The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release June 15, 2010 Remarks by the President to the Nation on the BP Oil Spill Oval Office 8:01 P.M. EDT

President Obama Addresses the Nation LIVE STREAMING VIDEO PODCAST MP3 and MP4 06/15/10

Presidential Podium

THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. As we speak, our nation faces a multitude of challenges. At home, our top priority is to recover and rebuild from a recession that has touched the lives of nearly every American. Abroad, our brave men and women in uniform are taking the fight to al Qaeda wherever it exists. And tonight, I’ve returned from a trip to the Gulf Coast to speak with you about the battle we’re waging against an oil spill that is assaulting our shores and our citizens.

On April 20th, an explosion ripped through BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, about 40 miles off the coast of Louisiana. Eleven workers lost their lives. Seventeen others were injured. And soon, nearly a mile beneath the surface of the ocean, oil began spewing into the water.

Because there has never been a leak this size at this depth, stopping it has tested the limits of human technology. That’s why just after the rig sank, I assembled a team of our nation’s best scientists and engineers to tackle this challenge -- a team led by Dr. Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and our nation’s Secretary of Energy. Scientists at our national labs and experts from academia and other oil companies have also provided ideas and advice.

As a result of these efforts, we’ve directed BP to mobilize additional equipment and technology. And in the coming weeks and days, these efforts should capture up to 90 percent of the oil leaking out of the well. This is until the company finishes drilling a relief well later in the summer that’s expected to stop the leak completely.

Already, this oil spill is the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced. And unlike an earthquake or a hurricane, it’s not a single event that does its damage in a matter of minutes or days. The millions of gallons of oil that have spilled into the Gulf of Mexico are more like an epidemic, one that we will be fighting for months and even years.

But make no mistake: We will fight this spill with everything we’ve got for as long as it takes. We will make BP pay for the damage their company has caused. And we will do whatever’s necessary to help the Gulf Coast and its people recover from this tragedy.

Tonight I’d like to lay out for you what our battle plan is going forward: what we’re doing to clean up the oil, what we’re doing to help our neighbors in the Gulf, and what we’re doing to make sure that a catastrophe like this never happens again.

First, the cleanup. From the very beginning of this crisis, the federal government has been in charge of the largest environmental cleanup effort in our nation’s history -- an effort led by Admiral Thad Allen, who has almost 40 years of experience responding to disasters. We now have nearly 30,000 personnel who are working across four states to contain and clean up the oil. Thousands of ships and other vessels are responding in the Gulf. And I’ve authorized the deployment of over 17,000 National Guard members along the coast. These servicemen and women are ready to help stop the oil from coming ashore, they’re ready to help clean the beaches, train response workers, or even help with processing claims -- and I urge the governors in the affected states to activate these troops as soon as possible.

Because of our efforts, millions of gallons of oil have already been removed from the water through burning, skimming and other collection methods. Over five and a half million feet of boom has been laid across the water to block and absorb the approaching oil. We’ve approved the construction of new barrier islands in Louisiana to try to stop the oil before it reaches the shore, and we’re working with Alabama, Mississippi and Florida to implement creative approaches to their unique coastlines.

As the cleanup continues, we will offer whatever additional resources and assistance our coastal states may need. Now, a mobilization of this speed and magnitude will never be perfect, and new challenges will always arise. I saw and heard evidence of that during this trip. So if something isn’t working, we want to hear about it. If there are problems in the operation, we will fix them.

But we have to recognize that despite our best efforts, oil has already caused damage to our coastline and its wildlife. And sadly, no matter how effective our response is, there will be more oil and more damage before this siege is done. That’s why the second thing we’re focused on is the recovery and restoration of the Gulf Coast.

You know, for generations, men and women who call this region home have made their living from the water. That living is now in jeopardy. I’ve talked to shrimpers and fishermen who don’t know how they’re going to support their families this year. I’ve seen empty docks and restaurants with fewer customers -– even in areas where the beaches are not yet affected. I’ve talked to owners of shops and hotels who wonder when the tourists might start coming back. The sadness and the anger they feel is not just about the money they’ve lost. It’s about a wrenching anxiety that their way of life may be lost.

I refuse to let that happen. Tomorrow, I will meet with the chairman of BP and inform him that he is to set aside whatever resources are required to compensate the workers and business owners who have been harmed as a result of his company’s recklessness. And this fund will not be controlled by BP. In order to ensure that all legitimate claims are paid out in a fair and timely manner, the account must and will be administered by an independent third party.

Beyond compensating the people of the Gulf in the short term, it’s also clear we need a long-term plan to restore the unique beauty and bounty of this region. The oil spill represents just the latest blow to a place that’s already suffered multiple economic disasters and decades of environmental degradation that has led to disappearing wetlands and habitats. And the region still hasn’t recovered from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. That’s why we must make a commitment to the Gulf Coast that goes beyond responding to the crisis of the moment.

I make that commitment tonight. Earlier, I asked Ray Mabus, the Secretary of the Navy, who is also a former governor of Mississippi and a son of the Gulf Coast, to develop a long-term Gulf Coast Restoration Plan as soon as possible. The plan will be designed by states, local communities, tribes, fishermen, businesses, conservationists and other Gulf residents. And BP will pay for the impact this spill has had on the region.

The third part of our response plan is the steps we’re taking to ensure that a disaster like this does not happen again. A few months ago, I approved a proposal to consider new, limited offshore drilling under the assurance that it would be absolutely safe –- that the proper technology would be in place and the necessary precautions would be taken.

That obviously was not the case in the Deepwater Horizon rig, and I want to know why. The American people deserve to know why. The families I met with last week who lost their loved ones in the explosion -- these families deserve to know why. And so I’ve established a National Commission to understand the causes of this disaster and offer recommendations on what additional safety and environmental standards we need to put in place. Already, I’ve issued a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling. I know this creates difficulty for the people who work on these rigs, but for the sake of their safety, and for the sake of the entire region, we need to know the facts before we allow deepwater drilling to continue. And while I urge the Commission to complete its work as quickly as possible, I expect them to do that work thoroughly and impartially.

One place we’ve already begun to take action is at the agency in charge of regulating drilling and issuing permits, known as the Minerals Management Service. Over the last decade, this agency has become emblematic of a failed philosophy that views all regulation with hostility -- a philosophy that says corporations should be allowed to play by their own rules and police themselves. At this agency, industry insiders were put in charge of industry oversight. Oil companies showered regulators with gifts and favors, and were essentially allowed to conduct their own safety inspections and write their own regulations.

When Ken Salazar became my Secretary of the Interior, one of his very first acts was to clean up the worst of the corruption at this agency. But it’s now clear that the problem there ran much deeper, and the pace of reform was just too slow. And so Secretary Salazar and I are bringing in new leadership at the agency -- Michael Bromwich, who was a tough federal prosecutor and Inspector General. And his charge over the next few months is to build an organization that acts as the oil industry’s watchdog -- not its partner.

So one of the lessons we’ve learned from this spill is that we need better regulations, better safety standards, and better enforcement when it comes to offshore drilling. But a larger lesson is that no matter how much we improve our regulation of the industry, drilling for oil these days entails greater risk. After all, oil is a finite resource. We consume more than 20 percent of the world’s oil, but have less than 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves. And that’s part of the reason oil companies are drilling a mile beneath the surface of the ocean -- because we’re running out of places to drill on land and in shallow water.

For decades, we have known the days of cheap and easily accessible oil were numbered. For decades, we’ve talked and talked about the need to end America’s century-long addiction to fossil fuels. And for decades, we have failed to act with the sense of urgency that this challenge requires. Time and again, the path forward has been blocked -- not only by oil industry lobbyists, but also by a lack of political courage and candor.

The consequences of our inaction are now in plain sight. Countries like China are investing in clean energy jobs and industries that should be right here in America. Each day, we send nearly $1 billion of our wealth to foreign countries for their oil. And today, as we look to the Gulf, we see an entire way of life being threatened by a menacing cloud of black crude.

We cannot consign our children to this future. The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean energy future is now. Now is the moment for this generation to embark on a national mission to unleash America’s innovation and seize control of our own destiny.

This is not some distant vision for America. The transition away from fossil fuels is going to take some time, but over the last year and a half, we’ve already taken unprecedented action to jumpstart the clean energy industry. As we speak, old factories are reopening to produce wind turbines, people are going back to work installing energy-efficient windows, and small businesses are making solar panels. Consumers are buying more efficient cars and trucks, and families are making their homes more energy-efficient. Scientists and researchers are discovering clean energy technologies that someday will lead to entire new industries.

Each of us has a part to play in a new future that will benefit all of us. As we recover from this recession, the transition to clean energy has the potential to grow our economy and create millions of jobs -– but only if we accelerate that transition. Only if we seize the moment. And only if we rally together and act as one nation –- workers and entrepreneurs; scientists and citizens; the public and private sectors.
When I was a candidate for this office, I laid out a set of principles that would move our country towards energy independence. Last year, the House of Representatives acted on these principles by passing a strong and comprehensive energy and climate bill –- a bill that finally makes clean energy the profitable kind of energy for America’s businesses.

Now, there are costs associated with this transition. And there are some who believe that we can’t afford those costs right now. I say we can’t afford not to change how we produce and use energy -– because the long-term costs to our economy, our national security, and our environment are far greater.

So I’m happy to look at other ideas and approaches from either party -– as long they seriously tackle our addiction to fossil fuels. Some have suggested raising efficiency standards in our buildings like we did in our cars and trucks. Some believe we should set standards to ensure that more of our electricity comes from wind and solar power. Others wonder why the energy industry only spends a fraction of what the high-tech industry does on research and development -– and want to rapidly boost our investments in such research and development.

All of these approaches have merit, and deserve a fair hearing in the months ahead. But the one approach I will not accept is inaction. The one answer I will not settle for is the idea that this challenge is somehow too big and too difficult to meet. You know, the same thing was said about our ability to produce enough planes and tanks in World War II. The same thing was said about our ability to harness the science and technology to land a man safely on the surface of the moon. And yet, time and again, we have refused to settle for the paltry limits of conventional wisdom. Instead, what has defined us as a nation since our founding is the capacity to shape our destiny -– our determination to fight for the America we want for our children. Even if we’re unsure exactly what that looks like. Even if we don’t yet know precisely how we’re going to get there. We know we’ll get there.

It’s a faith in the future that sustains us as a people. It is that same faith that sustains our neighbors in the Gulf right now.

Each year, at the beginning of shrimping season, the region’s fishermen take part in a tradition that was brought to America long ago by fishing immigrants from Europe. It’s called “The Blessing of the Fleet,” and today it’s a celebration where clergy from different religions gather to say a prayer for the safety and success of the men and women who will soon head out to sea -– some for weeks at a time.
The ceremony goes on in good times and in bad. It took place after Katrina, and it took place a few weeks ago –- at the beginning of the most difficult season these fishermen have ever faced.

And still, they came and they prayed. For as a priest and former fisherman once said of the tradition, “The blessing is not that God has promised to remove all obstacles and dangers. The blessing is that He is with us always,” a blessing that’s granted “even in the midst of the storm.”

The oil spill is not the last crisis America will face. This nation has known hard times before and we will surely know them again. What sees us through -– what has always seen us through –- is our strength, our resilience, and our unyielding faith that something better awaits us if we summon the courage to reach for it.

Tonight, we pray for that courage. We pray for the people of the Gulf. And we pray that a hand may guide us through the storm towards a brighter day. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.

END 8:18 P.M. EDT

BP's live stream of Oil Leak LIVE STREAMING VIDEO


BP's live stream LIVE VIDEO: This stream is provided by BP and could be interrupted at any time.

President Obama Addresses the Nation LIVE STREAMING VIDEO PODCAST TEXT TRANSCRIPT 06/15/10

White House Live Next Up...June 15, 2010 8:00 PM EDT President Obama Addresses the Nation, Speech of 06/15/10

President Obama Addresses the Nation FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT 06/15/10

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Presidential Podium

President Obama’s speech a bad moon rising Energy Tax

Tom Pricei have a very bad feeling about the President's speech tonight, a bad moon rising. Our guess is that the President will double down and go all in to deal with the gulf oil leak by more tax and adding to the federal bureaucracy.
Washington, Jun 15 - Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement in advance of President Obama’s Oval Office address on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Lives have already been lost, livelihoods are in danger, and our coastlines face terrible long-term damage,” said Chairman Price. “The people and policies responsible for this tragedy must be held to account, but our focus must first be on stopping this spill and cleaning up the oil as quickly as possible.

“Tonight, we will learn if President Obama is capable of addressing the problem in front of him without reaching for a partisan agenda. We have already heard that Democrats see this tragedy as an opportunity to push an economically disastrous national energy tax. That would be remarkably irresponsible, and the White House should not use this type of environmental catastrophe for political purposes as it used the economic crisis to push through a bloated and ineffective stimulus package last year.

“The direct result of a national energy tax would be higher energy prices that will burden American consumers and diminish America’s global competitiveness. This is no time for a partisan agenda, or even worse, cheap fundraising appeals. Tonight, President Obama needs to finally take charge of this disaster and show some real leadership. Two months is too long to wait.” ###

United States Representative Tom Price FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6.15.2010 Price: “Two Months Is Too Long to Wait” Washington, DC Office | 424 Cannon House Office Building | Washington DC 20515 phone: 202-225-4501 | fax: 202-225-4656

Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement after Senate Committee Kills Pension Reform Legislation

Governor Arnold SchwarzeneggerGovernor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Public Employment and Retirement killed SB 919 by Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta), legislation that would have implemented much-needed reform to California’s unsustainable pension system:
“I am disappointed that the Legislature failed to step up and pass this legislation that is so vital for the future of California. Every year we are diverting more and more money away from higher education, health and human services, public safety, parks and environmental protection to pay for unsustainable retiree costs, and without action, those costs will keep skyrocketing. The numbers don’t lie. This is a classic example of Sacramento promising more than it can afford, which is why I will not sign a budget without pension reform.”

06/14/2010 GAAS:364:10 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, June 14, 2010

Jerry Brown's remarks comparing Meg Whitman to Nazi Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels

Meg Whitman
Uploaded on June 10, 2010 Some rights reserved by megwhitman2010

Joseph Goebbels

Reichsminister Joseph Goebbels delivers a speech to a crowd in the Berlin Lustgarten urging Germans to boycott Jewish-owned businesses. He defends the boycott as a legitimate response to the anti-German "atrocity propaganda" being spread by "international Jewry." (April 1, 1933)
Response to Nazi reference by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Please see the following statement from Meg Whitman Campaign Manager Jillian Hasner in response to Jerry Brown's remarks comparing Meg Whitman to Nazi Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels:

"Just last week, Governor Brown promised he wasn't going to engage in mudslinging, but now he is comparing Meg Whitman to Hitler's Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels. Jerry Brown's statements comparing our campaign to a propagator of the Holocaust is deeply offensive and entirely unacceptable."

--Meg Whitman 2010 Campaign Manager Jillian Hasner

Jerry Brown's Statements About Nazi Minister Of Propaganda: "'It's like Goebbels,' referring to Hitler's notorious Minister of Propaganda. 'Goebbels invented this kind of propaganda. He took control of the whole world. She wants to be president. That's her ambition, the first woman president. That's what this is all about.'" (Doug Sovern, "Run Jerry Run," KCBS' Blog, http://www.kcbs.com/pages/2567788.php, 6/9/10)
Click Here To Read Full Post: www.kcbs.com/pages/2567788.php

MEDIA CONTACT Sarah Pompei 408.457.1369 Communications@MegWhitman.com

Renee Ellmers Let's Stop the Obama Rubber Stamp Congress VIDEO



This is the Bob Etheridge North Carolina 2nd District seat. Let's Stop the Obama Rubber Stamp Congress VIDEO.

Renee Ellmers for Congress Committee. P. O. Box 904 Dunn, NC 28335-0904 and phone 252-220-0181

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Bob McConnell 2nd Amendment rights RED MEAT VIDEO


This is the type of candidate we like, someone who has done something other than be a "career" politician, experienced life and maybe some success, have friends and neighbors who admire and respect your example then bring those proven virtues to public service.

Bob McConnell is a former infantry company commanders in Viet Nam. He has led men in combat, and environmental expeditions on Mount Everest.

I am a strong supporter of our 2nd Amendment rights.

The Second Amendment guarantees our right as individual citizens to defend ourselves and protect our way of life. I am a life member of the NRA. My father taught me to use and respect firearms. I have taught my sons the same things. I have hunted and fished all my life. I support the Thune-Vitter Senate Bill which, when passed, will create national Right-to-Carry reciprocity. I support The Amtrak Secure Transportation of Firearms Act that will allow gun owners to transport firearms on trains, just as we do on planes. I support legislation allowing residents of public housing to keep firearms in their homes. I will fight every effort to curtail our right to keep and bear arms.

TEXT CREDIT: Bob McConnell for Congress

VIDEO CREDIT: mcconnellforcongress

Saturday, June 12, 2010

John Boehner Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 06/12/10


Podcast of the address: Download MP3 for PODCAST

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) Delivers Weekly Republican Address. GOP Leader: “While I hope President Obama will work with us to stop this spending spree, if he won’t hold Congressional Democrats accountable, then the American people will.”

“Hello – I’m John Boehner. In these tough economic times, American families have done their level best to stay afloat – spending less and working more while trying to map out a financially sound future. They deserve that same degree of discipline and vigilance from their government.

“But instead of bringing fiscal sanity to Washington like he promised, President Obama has spent taxpayer dollars with reckless abandon, refusing to make tough choices and pushing the burden on to future generations. No price tag has been too high for Washington Democrats, and now we’re all paying the price.

“Unemployment is still close to 10 percent. The private sector is at a near-standstill. Our small businesses are still gasping for air. And having run a small business, I can tell you that the new health care law, with its burdensome mandates and tax increases, is already stalling these engines of our economy.

“A new report from the Treasury Department shows that our fiscal situation is much worse than we thought. Our record national debt – which now tops $13 trillion – is on pace to exceed the size of our entire economy by the middle of this decade. Economists say that at these levels, our debt is draining enough resources from our country to cost us nearly one million jobs.

“We cannot go on like this.

“Real economic growth requires creating jobs in the private sector, and to do that we need to start reining in Washington’s out-of-control spending spree. Less spending, more jobs – it’s that simple.

“Economists agree, and this week, I gave President Obama a statement signed by more than 100 of them urging both parties to take immediate, decisive action to cut federal spending.

“Unfortunately, Democrats in Congress are busy making backroom deals so that they don’t have to pass a budget this year. They’d rather keep on spending than seize this critical opportunity to create jobs and boost our economy. But every family knows that in tough times, passing a budget is more important – not less important.

“Just as troubling is the fact that President Obama hasn’t uttered a word in protest of Congressional Democrats’ failure to produce a budget. Even after being presented with these economists’ pleas for fiscal discipline, he still won’t press leaders in his own party to fulfill their responsibility to the American people.

“This is a stunning failure of leadership – the kind of leadership President Obama promised to provide.

“Too many in Washington forget that we work for the people, not the other way around. Taxpayers are just fed up, and they want us to stop spending their hard-earned money.

“That’s why, through the America Speaking Out project, Republicans are providing Americans with a megaphone to make their voices heard and help build a better, more responsive government. If you have an idea to cut wasteful Washington spending, log on to AmericaSpeakingOut.com right now and start a discussion about it.

“Another interactive Republican initiative – YouCut – gives Americans a chance to vote on specific spending cuts that you want to see Congress implement. And looking forward, Republicans have proposed common-sense solutions to reform the way Washington spends taxpayer dollars, starting with strict budget caps to limit federal spending on an annual basis.

“Waiting and hoping for the best is no longer an option, not when 43 cents of every dollar we spend this year is borrowed from our kids and grandkids. Our posterity shouldn’t have to foot the bill because Washington Democrats can’t do what they were elected to do or summon the courage to say no to special interests with their hands out.

“So while I hope President Obama will work with us to stop this spending spree, if he won’t hold Congressional Democrats accountable, then the American people will.

“Thank you for listening.”

Friday, June 11, 2010

Conservative House Members Stand with Israel

Tom PriceWe told our liberal Jewish friends that these days of waning support for the state of Israel were part of the package they were buying with the Obama Administration, they all laughed, we started to hear loud buyers remorse from those precincts on this issue last month, we did not laugh.

Washington, Jun 11 - In a letter sent today to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and signed by 78 House Republicans, Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-GA) and fellow conservatives offered unequivocal support of Israel’s right to defend her people
and maintain a blockade of the Gaza Strip that has proven vital to keeping weapons and other resources out of the hands of the terrorist organization Hamas. The blockade has come under intense international scrutiny following an incident in which Israeli Defense Forces personnel were forced to engage a ship and its crew attempting to breach the blockade. The RSC letter comes at a time when many Israelis and Americans have come to question the Obama Administration’s support for Israel and its willingness to stand by America’s strongest Middle East ally in the face of continued threats from terrorism and a rogue regime in Iran. The following is the text of the letter sent to Prime Minister Netanyahu:

“As members of the House Republican Study Committee (RSC), a group of over 115 conservative members of the U.S. House of Representatives, we want to express our steadfast support for the steps you have taken to ensure the peace and security of Israel, one of the most important being the blockade of the Gaza Strip. While we hope that the future holds a more positive relationship between the Gaza Strip and Israel, like you, we see the blockade as a key component of Israel’s security at this time.

While there have been many international calls to end the blockade, we see your actions as the only viable way to prevent weapons from entering a terrorist-laden region under constant threat of Iranian control. We therefore support the right and responsibility of Israel to continue the blockade.

When Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip, it became a matter of national security for Israel to take the necessary steps in preventing weapons from being smuggled into the area. While violence has not ceased, we do not believe it is a coincidence that there has not been an Israeli death due to a terrorist attack in over a year. Many innocent civilians, both Jewish and Arab, have been saved due to the blockade, which has prevented artillery and materials to manufacture weapons from coming into the hands of Hamas.

Sadly, in a volatile area of the world, where Israel stands as a beacon of light for democratic values, the country and all it stands for is hated by many. Thus, it has been forced to defend its mere existence and must be able to continue to do so in situations such as this, in which efforts were made to aid a terrorist-controlled region. We stand by the Israeli people, the Israeli government, and your actions to prevent terrorist attacks.”


A signed copy of the letter is available here Final Flotilla Letter to PM Netanyahu June 11, 2010 in PDF Format

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6.11.2010

Kevin Costner House Energy and Environment Subcommittee FULL VIDEO 3 hours, 14 minutes



Federal officials and scientists testified about research, development, and technology needs for the recovery and effective cleanup of oil spills. In the first panel officials focused on activities and programs pursued since the passage of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, and gaps in federal oil spill response research and technology. The second panel focused on aquatic ecosystems, tools available to respond to oil spills, and the capacity for cleanup. 3 hours, 14 minutes C-SPAN videoLibrary

RELATED:

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Lisa Murkowski Public Deserved Vote on EPA Obama Climate Regulations Power Grab

Senator Lisa Murkowski out hunting with her dogThe congressional abdication of authority and responsibility to unelected bureaucrats on this seminal progressive "issue" continues and gives us an excuse to run a favorite image.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate today voted down Sen. Lisa Murkowski's bipartisan resolution of disapproval to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing backdoor climate legislation on the nation.
"I had hopes, for the security of our economy, that we would prevail today," Murkowski said. "But regardless of the outcome, I believe it's important that every member of the Senate is on the record on whether they think the EPA regulation is the appropriate way to address climate issues.

All Republicans and six Democrats voted in favor of proceeding to consideration of the resolution, but it lost 47-53.

Murkowski, a strong proponent of moving the nation toward a cleaner energy future, said the disapproval resolution would have avoided the coming "economic train wreck" EPA regulation of greenhouse gases is expected to cause. # # #

Ron Paul Urges a Full and Complete Audit of the Federal Reserve

Ron PaulHow many times have you heard politicians saying trasparency recently? Dr. Paul's continuing effort to bring accountability to those who fear it most.

Conferees to the Financial Reform Bill have an Opportunity to Demand Full Transparency.
Washington, D.C. - House Conference Committee members, which will reconcile the House and Senate versions of the financial reform bill, have been announced. Congressman Paul is pleased to note that 15 out of 31 total conferees are cosponsors of HR 1207, his bill to audit the Federal Reserve Bank.

The House-passed version of the financial reform bill contains the basic language of HR 1207 (in the Paul-Grayson amendment). However, a similar amendment offered by Senator Vitter to the Senate version was rejected by the Senate. Thus, it is essential that conferees consider adding the undiluted language of the Paul-Grayson amendment when reconciling the Senate and House versions of the Financial Reform Bill. Only the full language of the Paul-Grayson amendment will insure a thorough, complete, and ongoing audit of the Fed.

“This Financial Reform bill is set to grant sweeping new powers to the Federal Reserve, which has made a mess of our economy. If my colleagues insist on expanding the power of the Fed, the very least they can do is require the Fed to be transparent rather than secretive in its actions,” stated Congressman Paul. “Luckily, many of the conferees already have demonstrated their concern about transparency by cosponsoring HR 1207, and hopefully those conferees will insist on full transparency in the conference report.”

The House Conferees are: (Democrat/Republican) Representatives Frank, Kanjorski, Waters, Maloney, Gutierrez, Watt, Meeks (NY), Moore (KS), Kilroy, Peters, Peterson, Boswell, Waxman, Rush, Conyers, Berman, Towns, Cummings, Velazquez, Shuler, Bachus, Royce, Biggert, Capito, Hensarling, Garrett, Lucas, Barton, Smith (TX), Issa, and Graves.

For Immediate Release June 10, 2010

John Carter Pre-Approves Israeli Military Strike on Iran

John CarterAny who might be in need of a sure fire line guaranteed to make their more liberal friends heads explode should look no farther than Congressman Carter's opening paragraph ... enjoy.

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Israel now has the right to pre-emptive military action against Iran, based on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s vow to use a nearly-completed nuclear arsenal to “annihilate” Israel, according to House Republican Conference Secretary John Carter (TX-31).
“Congress needs to send a very strong message to both Israel and Iran on this issue,” says Carter. “Iran has vowed to commit genocide against Israel, and has defied international law and United Nations resolutions to pursue acquisition of a functional nuclear weapon and the means to deliver it. This grants Israel a perfect right to undertake pre-emptive military action, and the United States Congress should pledge our support in advance for that action.”

Carter today co-sponsored a Resolution by fellow Texan Louie Gohmert (R-TX1) expressing support for the State of Israel’s right to defend Israeli sovereignty.

Carter also co-signed Gohmert’s letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) requesting that she invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress, to display American support for the right of Israel to exist.

###

Resolution Summary:
Expressing support for the State of Israel’s right to defend Israeli sovereignty, to protect the lives and safety of the Israeli people, and to use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the use of military force if no other peaceful solution can be found within reasonable time to protect against such an immediate and existential threat to the State of Israel….

Whereas, on October 26, 2005, at a conference in Tehran called ‘‘World Without Zionism’’, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated, ‘‘God willing, with the force of God behind it, we shall soon experience a world without the United States and Zionism’’; Whereas the New York Times reported that during his October 26, 2005, speech, President Ahmadinejad called for ‘‘this occupying regime [Israel] to be wiped off the map’’; Whereas, on April 14, 2006, Iranian President Ahmadinejad said, ‘‘Like it or not, the Zionist regime [Israel] is heading toward annihilation’’; Whereas, on June 2, 2008, Iranian President Ahmadinejad said, ‘‘I must announce that the Zionist regime [Israel], with a 60-year record of genocide, plunder, invasion, and betrayal is about to die and will soon be erased from the geographical scene’’; Whereas, on May 20, 2009, Iran successfully tested a surface-to-surface long range missile with an approximate range of 1,200 miles; Whereas Iran continues its pursuit of nuclear weapons; Whereas Iran has been caught building three secret nuclear facilities since 2002;...

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— condemns the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its threats of ‘‘annihilating’’ the United States and the State of Israel, for its continued support of international terrorism, and for its incitement of genocide of the Israeli people; supports using all means of persuading the Government of Iran to stop building and acquiring nuclear weapons; reaffirms the United States’ bond with Israel and pledges to continue to work with the Government of Israel and the people of Israel to ensure that their sovereign nation continues to receive critical economic and military assistance, including missile defense capabilities, needed to address the threat of Iran; and expresses support for Israel’s right to use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by Iran, defend Israeli sovereignty, and protect the lives and safety of the Israeli people, including the use of military force if no other peaceful solution can be found within a reasonable time. ###

John L. Mica No BP Oil Spill Piggy Bank

John L. Mica

John L. Mica TSA's SPOT Program
Washington, DC – Emergency legislation to ensure that funds remain available to the Coast Guard to respond to the Gulf oil spill was considered in the House today.
In that debate, U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), the Republican leader of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said, “The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund will not be used as a piggy bank for BP or any responsible parties. BP must immediately pay its costs and reimburse the Trust Fund.”

Without this legislation, if the dwindling oil spill emergency fund is depleted, the Coast Guard will be forced to choose between maintaining its oil spill response activities in the Gulf of Mexico and cutting other activities such as search and rescue or drug law enforcement in other parts of the country. During the floor debate, Members of Congress were informed that BP would be paying its past-due account by the end of next week. As of yesterday, BP had failed to pay $69 million in oil spill cleanup costs billed to date by the government.

Mica said he would only agree with providing access to additional funds from the trust account with the assurance that BP and other parties would be held responsible for repayment.

A similar bill, H.R. 5499, was introduced in the House by Mica and other Members of Congress. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has jurisdiction over the Coast Guard, the Oil Pollution Act and the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF).

Mica added, “Congress must also act to ensure the Coast Guard has adequate access to existing Trust Fund resources. Providing this authority will allow the Coast Guard to maintain its response actions and prevent the service from scaling back any of its operations.

“Earlier this year, the Administration proposed cutting the Coast Guard’s budget in the upcoming fiscal year. If this legislation is not enacted, the service will be forced to do more with even less in the current fiscal year,” Mica said.

The OSLTF is funded by a tax on the oil industry and currently has a balance of approximately $1.6 billion. The bulk of the OSLTF is used to pay claims, fund federal agencies to administer the Oil Pollution Act, and support research and development.

Within the OSLTF is the Emergency Fund, which can be used to pay for federal oil spill response costs without waiting for responsible parties to repay the fund. Current law limits the transfer of funds to the Emergency Fund to $150 million per year.

However, the Emergency Fund is diminishing. Because of the provisions of the current law, even as BP reimburses the OSLTF for the federal response costs, these additional reimbursements still will not be available to the federal emergency fund. The Office of Management and Budget has requested this emergency action in today’s legislation.

Both the Senate and House measures will allow the further transfer of funds, in addition to the $150 million annual transfer that has already taken place this year, from the OSLTF to the Emergency Fund. The bill would authorize the Coast Guard to access the fund on an as-needed basis, provided that each transfer was $100 million or less and that justification was provided to Congress. All funding used under this provision would be eligible for reimbursement by BP and would be at no cost to the taxpayers.

Without the authority provided in this bill, the Coast Guard will be required to cut back their operations once the emergency fund limit is reached. # # #

une 10, 2010 House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee 2163 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-9446 Fax: (202) 225-6782

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Sharron Angle Victory Speech 06/08/10 VIDEO



Sharron Angle won the Nevada GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate and will face Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) in the November Congressional elections.

Kevin Costner House Energy and Environment Subcommittee


Kevin Costner to testify. Below is that testimony by way of Mr. Costner's Witness Statement TEXT

June 9, 2010 House Science and Technology Committee Energy and Environment Subcommittee – Hearing Deluge of Oil Highlights Research and Technology Needs for Effective Cleanup of Oil Spills Kevin Costner Founder, CINC Co-Founder / Partner, Ocean Therapy Solutions/

video demonstration of CINC technology Ocean Therapy 3_QT 480p (4x3).mov 14.7 MB.

RELATED: Mr. Chairman, Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to speak here today and for raising this important discussion. I come before you as a discouraged U.S. citizen, and an entrepreneur with a partial solution to the tragedy unfolding in the Gulf. Seventeen years ago I purchased a licensed patent for a centrifugal force oil-water separator from the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory. Today that technology, CINC, is the most effective and efficient tool for cleaning up oil spills that you’ve probably never heard of. Despite
CINC’s proven demonstrations in front of oil industry and government leaders, the technology sat passively on shelves for more than ten years, powerless to make right the oil spills that continued and will continue to occur. It is incumbent on us to do everything possible to clean up the massive spill in the Gulf. CINC has an important role to play in that legacy, as I will explain.

Introduction: The Exxon Valdez oil spill was a devastating and humbling moment for our country. The entire world community watched in awe as the U.S., the most powerful country in the world, thrashed and capitulated, helpless to save itself from the worst environmental disaster in history. We engineered nuclear power and put a man on the moon, but could not save ourselves from oil, the most basic resource involved in almost every aspect of our daily lives. US citizens stood heroically on the beach, prepared to clean up a mess that they had no part in creating. Such epic failure was hard for me to fathom, and yet the images of rubber boots, straw and soup ladles against an endless black tide confirmed this utterly demoralizing display of incompetence that would continue to repeat itself.

While it’s not wrong to focus so much attention on large spills, we cannot diminish the smaller spills that happen around the world every day. Estimates are between 5,000 and 13,000 gallons in a typical year. For every 1 million gallons pumped from wells, it is estimated that 20 gallons will end up in the oceans. At our current rate of oil production that means the equivalent of the Exxon Valdez spill every 7 months. Partly in response to the Exxon Valdez, I resolved to commit personal resources to engineer a product that would be effective in cleaning up oil spills. Like fire
extinguishers, oil-water separators could be stationed on every boat, harbor and port where oil was present. I envisioned the machine as a safety device, compact and portable enough that it could be a deployed on a small craft, and rugged enough to operate reliably in rough seas. The CINC oil-water separator can do all this.

I. Early development and patent history

Taxpayers paid for the early development of a liquid-liquid separator technology, licensed and patented from the Department of Energy (DOE) and Idaho National Laboratories (INL), a government owned, private contractor operated facility, in 1993. Originally developed to assist in nuclear fuel reprocessing, the machine was then made available to the private sector to improve upon the licensed patent. Today the technology represents one of the laboratory’s highly successful transfers of technology, which makes the patent unique and of particular interest for the government and U.S. citizens.

The foundation of our CINC technology was created over 30 years ago and has been used by the Department of Energy (DOE) to recover valuable metal resources through a process of solvent extraction. In 1993 I was awarded a Technology Transfer from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a liquidliquid solvent extraction technology, which we believed had the potential to be
scaled up and commercialized in the fight against oil spills. Dave Meikrantz, a scientist working for DOE, and the original inventor of the technology, came on board as the Director of Technology at Costner Industries (CINC), my newly formed private company.

Kevin Costner House Energy and Environment Subcommittee FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT IN PFD FORMAT

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Big Government is the Problem, Not the Answer

John BoozmanWith the economy continuing to struggle, oil pouring into the Gulf Coast and a budget deficit that crossed $13 trillion, President Obama took the stage yesterday to convince us that an expansion of government is the cure for America’s ills.

The fact remains that Americans are not buying it. Big Government is not the solution. It is the problem.

The idea that we can tax and spend our way to prosperity has been rejected in Virginia, New Jersey and even Massachusetts.

Now it is our turn in Arkansas.
You can be assured, regardless of which candidate wins the Democratic nomination, their nominee will be pro-Big Government, right in line with this Administration. They can’t hide that with their rhetoric, when they have a record that says otherwise. A continuation of the failed tax and spend policies of the Obama Administration is not “change” nor is it “standing up for Arkansas.”

It is the exact opposite of the direction Arkansans want our country to take.

We want our nation to get back to the basics. Balance the budget instead of increasing the debt. Cut taxes to encourage real, sustainable jobs in the private sector instead of disposable jobs which will disappear when the stimulus money runs out. And invest in our future instead of expanding the scope of government at the expense of the next generation.

We have a long road ahead of us, but this election is too important for us to sit idle. Regardless of who our opponent is June 8th, they will not represent what Arkansas needs. We can win because we are right on the issues. Our message is the right message for Arkansas and the nation. Join me in this campaign, get involved, and help me restore your voice to the

TEXT CREDIT: John Boozman for Arkansas

PHOTO CREDIT: Congressional Pictorial Directory

Carly Fiorina Makes Final Push as Voters Head to Polls in Statewide Primary Election VIDEO


LOS ALTOS HILLS, CA – As voters head to the polls in California’s statewide primary election, U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina today made a final push for her campaign to defeat Barbara Boxer.

“Today, we are at what Ronald Reagan once called ‘a time for choosing.’ We must all choose to make a difference in Sacramento and in Washington – not separately, but together,” said Fiorina. “It is only in America that a law school dropout and a receptionist could rise to become the chief executive officer of one of the largest companies in the world. That’s the American Dream I want to protect for my grandchildren; that’s why I’m so honored to have the freedom and the opportunity today to both cast a ballot for change and to run for the United States Senate to defeat Barbara Boxer, a failed career politician.”

In the final days leading up to Election Day, Fiorina has been traveling the state to talk with Californians about the importance of firing Barbara Boxer this November and about the reasons she is the candidate best positioned to do so. Fiorina has crisscrossed the state holding phone banks in the Central Coast, the Central Valley and in Southern California. After casting her vote in the Bay Area, Fiorina will travel to Orange County to join campaign volunteers at a phone bank in Tustin to make get-out-the-vote phone calls to Republican primary voters asking them for their support at the polls today and in November.

VIDEO CREDIT: CarlyforCalifornia

TEXT CREDIT: Carly Fiorina for California

Monday, June 07, 2010

Toomey Takes Lead Over Sestak in PA

The Delaware County Times reports that Republican Pat Toomey has taken a strong lead over Democrat Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania: “… According to a Rasmussen poll, 52 percent said the issue [regarding Sestak’s job offer scandal from the White House] is important enough to affect their votes …” Roll Call writes that a number of influential supporters of Joe Sestak’s primary opponent, Arlen Specter, are now backing Republican Pat Toomey.

'Never Again': Obama and the BP Oil Spill VIDEO


TheNRSC The worst oil spill in U.S. history. And a president who doesn't seem to care. www.nrsc.org

Pete Hoekstra Statement on Jim Clapper Nomination VIDEO


Washington, Jun 5 - U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, today issued the following statement upon the nomination of Jim Clapper to be the next Director of National Intelligence:

"When the president nominated Leon Panetta to head the CIA, I was the first to back Leon when his nomination seemed to be in trouble. I wish I could say the same for Jim Clapper, but I must join with other congressional intelligence leaders in voicing my opposition to his nomination.‪

"Relations between the White House and Congress on national security matters have fallen to new lows, as evidenced by the recent letter from Senators Feinstein and Bond on the administration's continued stonewalling on providing information – a letter in which I fully concur. Working with Congress on national security matters isn't an option, it's required by law.

‪"Mr. Clapper has blocked my communications with elements of the intelligence community, and he has been evasive and slow to respond to questions and letters from members of the committee.‪ It is unacceptable and makes America less safe. It puts us as a nation at greater risk.

"At a time when our homeland has faced an ongoing series of terror attacks in the last six months, we need a strong DNI who can lead the intelligence community and who will work with Congress.

“Secondly, Mr. Clapper does not have the clout or independence to be the voice that provides an alternative to the Obama administration’s prosecute after-the-fact approach to terror. We need a DNI who will ensure that the intelligence community is heard as prominently as the Justice Department, Homeland Security, the Pentagon and even the president's national security staff, which is trying to micro-manage America's intelligence agencies from the White House.‪

"An administration that has continuously proven to be slow to respond and politically tone deaf, has once again proven that it has a tin ear with this nomination. Instead of signaling a new beginning and fresh approach, the president has placed yet another brick in the wall he has built between his administration and Congress on national security.

“The President clearly has the responsibility to appoint the key members of his administration. I am disappointed by this appointment, but if approved I will do my best to work with Mr. Clapper.”

Contact: Dave Yonkman 202.225.4401

Sunday, June 06, 2010

Newest Poll has Angle Winning GOP Nod, Beating Reid in November

Sharron Angle and FamilyShows Lowden losing to Reid in November

Reno, NV – U.S Senatorial candidate Sharron Angle (R-NV) continues to surge in recent polling while her opponents spiral downward. Angle, seeking the bid to remove Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) from office, came out on top once again in a newly released independent poll that shows Angle beating her GOP opponents and defeating Reid in November.
Today’s Mason-Dixon poll shows Angle with a wide lead going into Tuesday’s election with 32% of the vote, compared with 24% for Danny Tarkanian and 23% for Sue Lowden. The poll also has Angle defeating Reid 44% - 41% in the general election, while Lowden loses to Reid in a matchup.

“Sharron Angle has campaigned successfully throughout the state, introducing herself to voters and talking about the issues that matter to Nevadans,” said Angle spokesperson Jerry Stacy. “Sharron Angle has done what her opponents have failed to do; she has built a broad and diverse coalition of supporters sharing an overall mission which is to replace Harry Reid in November with a principled conservative that Nevadans can trust.”

Angle also toppled her opponents in three other statewide polls released during the week by Public Policy Polling, Research 2000, and Suffolk University. # # #

Date: 06-06-10 For Immediate Release For more information about Sharron Angle, please visit www.SharronAngle.com

Saturday, June 05, 2010

RNC Chairman Michael Steele Weekly Republican Address TEXT VIDEO 06/05/10


RNC Chairman Michael Steele Weekly Republican Address TEXT VIDEO 06/05/10

President Barack Obama promised that he “won’t stop fighting to open up government,” and that he would have “the most transparent administration in history.” Really?

Of course, it’s one thing to keep that promise when you think it’ll help you politically. The real test of a man’s word is if he keeps it when it’s inconvenient, embarrassing or potentially damaging. On this test, the President and his people have failed.

There’s a reason we have a law that prohibits Federal officials from offering things of value to people for political gain. It’s called transparency. And the White House’s efforts to use federal appointments to entice candidates out of competitive Democratic primaries goes directly against the Obama Administrations claims of openness and transparency.

From day one of this current flap involving Congressman Joe Sestak and now Andrew Romanoff, the White House efforts to deny, obfuscate, and mislead have only served to raise suspicions even further.

Three months ago, when Congressman Sestak claimed the White House offered him a job in return for dropping his primary challenge against Democrat incumbent Arlen Specter, the White House flatly denied it.

After Sestak refused to recant his version of events, the White House finally conceded that some conversation happened but their message was “trust us, it wasn’t inappropriate, so move along, nothing to see here.”

This exoneration-by-fiat didn’t pass the laugh test. It’s not up to the White House to judge the ethics of their behavior – that right is reserved for the American people once all the facts are on the table. So the demand for these facts continued.

After three months of intense political pressure, we were finally served with a memo from the President’s lawyer, admitting that, contrary to previous denials, in fact, the White House did enlist former President Bill Clinton to offer the Congressman an allegedly unpaid position.

However, the memo raises far more questions than it answers.

First, the law doesn’t prohibit offers of only paid positions. So, offering the Congressman an unpaid position does nothing to exonerate Bill Clinton or White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. Second, Sestak wouldn’t be able to accept a position on a Presidential advisory board and remain in Congress anyway, which casts doubt about whether this was really the job the White House offered.

Third, the memo claims multiple conversations between President Clinton and Mr. Sestak during June and July of 2009. But Congressman Sestak insisted four times, just on Tuesday, that there was only one brief conversation. So who’s lying?

Fourth, the memo alleges that President Obama knew nothing of all of these conversations.

Now, why would the White House enlist the help of such a high-profile surrogate like former President Bill Clinton - on “multiple” occasions, without the knowledge of President Obama - for months-long negotiations over such a low-profile, unpaid position, and all with a Congressman who couldn’t even accept the job anyway?

And now we know that this is only part of a larger pattern of backroom, Chicago-style politics. Andrew Romanoff, who’s challenging Democrat incumbent Michael Bennet for the Colorado Senate Democrat nomination, was offered a choice of one of three jobs by Rahm Emanuel’s deputy Jim Messina if he would drop out of the primary.

Again, the White House first denied the allegations when they came from anonymous Administration whistle-blowers. But once the actual email from Messina was released by Romanoff, who probably didn’t like being called a liar by the White House, the story changed: again, the jobs were offered, but nothing inappropriate happened.

After all of the stonewalling and denying, what is the White House’s latest defense? It was just business as usual.

Enough is enough. If Rahm Emanuel has been offering government goodies to inconvenient politicians threatening Democrat incumbents, then it’s time for him to resign. If it comes out that the President knew about any of it, then we have a larger problem. And, if offering political appointments in exchange for sitting out of a campaign is the President’s proposal for “job-creation,” then we’re in for more economic misery.

The time has come for more than just self-exonerating claims from the President’s lawyer. The Department of Justice must step in and assign an impartial referee, either in the form of a special investigator or an independent counsel, who can sort out the facts and answer the burning question – what did the White House offer to Sestak and Romanoff, who authorized the offer, who else knew about it and what was the expected trade-off for accepting the offer?

The President promised transparency. All we have right now is a series of transparent cover-ups. So much for “change you can believe in. ####

Friday, June 04, 2010

David Vitter Calls on Obama to Replace Proposed Deepwater Rig Shutdown with Immediate Safety Inspections

David Vitter(Venice, La.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter today wrote a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to replace his recently announced shutdown of deepwater rigs for a minimum of six months with immediate rig safety inspections instead.

The text of the letter follows:
June 3, 2010

VIA FACSIMILE AND ELECTRONIC MAIL
IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUESTED

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Obama,

I am very concerned about the recently announced shutdown of deepwater rigs for a minimum of six months. I urge you to replace this moratorium with immediate rig safety inspections.

Under this alternative, the approximately 33 affected deepwater rigs in the Gulf would receive immediate rigorous safety inspections. They would be shut down if inspections identified safety problems, but not otherwise.

During this current recession, Louisiana’s unemployment rates are 6.2%. The federal government needs to be focused on policies that will create jobs. This moratorium is estimated to eliminate 3,000 to 4,000 Louisiana jobs in the short term. It could eliminate up to 10,000 jobs and possibly 20,000 jobs throughout the course of the year. This moratorium also obstructs Louisiana’s ability to collect revenue from offshore activity, which is used for coastal restoration to protect the state from hurricanes.

Our workforce and economy have been significantly impacted from the ongoing oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. This deepwater moratorium could potentially be devastating for Louisiana. The likely impact of this moratorium is long term job destruction as these jobs leave the Gulf region permanently and move to other regions of the world.

Please consider my proposal to replace the moratorium with immediate rig safety inspections.

Sincerely,

David Vitter
U.S. Senator

-30-

ASTRONAUTS OUTLINE SHORTFALLS OF OBAMA’S SPACE FLIGHT PLANS, NASA BUDGET

LEGENDARY ASTRONAUTS OUTLINE SHORTFALLS OF OBAMA’S SPACE FLIGHT PLANS, NASA BUDGET

legendary Apollo Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Eugene Cernan, along with former CEO of Lockheed Martin, Mr. Thomas YoungWashington D.C. In a hearing before the House Committee on Science and Technology, legendary Apollo Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Eugene Cernan, along with former CEO of Lockheed Martin, Mr. Thomas Young, discussed their serious concerns with President Obama’s plan for building a successor to the Space Shuttle, which is scheduled to retire at the end of this year.
“From the very beginning it was clear that NASA’s proposal lacked the sufficient detail that Congress would need to determine whether it was a credible plan,” said Ranking Member Ralph Hall (R-TX). “Yet, in spite of our best efforts to obtain more information from NASA this situation has not improved. Indeed, the President’s trip to the Kennedy Space Center on April 15th only added to the confusion as he laid out more aspirational goals, but provided no clear idea of how they fit together or how he expects to pay for these new ventures.”

The NASA budget proposal cancels the Constellation program and instead signals a shift toward such goals as developing “transformative technology,” heavy lift propulsion research, robotic precursor missions, investment in commercial crew and cargo capabilities, climate change research, aeronautics R&D, and education initiatives. Today, former Apollo Astronaut Captain Eugene Cernan, USN (ret.), described these goals as “all worthwhile endeavors in their own right.” However, Cernan was extremely critical of the President’s plan for human space flight, saying that “nowhere [in the budget] do we find any mention of the Human Exploration of Space and nowhere do we find a commitment in dollars to support this all important national endeavor.”

Cernan continued, “We (Armstrong, Lovell and I) have come to the unanimous conclusion that this budget proposal presents no challenges, has no focus, and in fact is a blueprint for a mission to ‘nowhere.’”

Echoing these criticisms, legendary astronaut, Mr. Neil Armstrong, Commander of Apollo 11, discussed what he thinks should be NASA’s space flight priorities moving forward. Armstrong said, “I am persuaded that a return to the moon would be the most productive path to expanding the human presence in the Solar System.” He went on to lay out his top three priorities for the human space program: maintaining American leadership; guaranteeing American access to space; and continuing to explore the Solar System.

Members on both sides of the aisle continued to express numerous concerns over the President’s proposed plan to cancel the Constellation system in favor of having NASA buy seats for its astronauts on launch systems that have not yet been designed, tested, or built. Such vehicles would theoretically be used to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station. NASA has spent the last five years designing the Constellation system, which is to be the Space Shuttle’s replacement. The Constellation system already represents over a $10 billion taxpayer investment and has demonstrated success.

Since releasing the NASA budget proposal, President Obama has since announced the addition of an ISS crew rescue development program. However, this proposal has no corresponding increase in the NASA budget proposal. Estimated to cost between $5-7 billion, many members today agreed with Ranking Member Hall that such continued changes call into question the stability, credibility and sustainability of the President’s plan.

On an earlier panel, addressing NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Committee members reiterated their demand that NASA follow the law and not cancel any contracts associated with Constellation development in fiscal year 2010. Members strongly urged moving forward with Constellation in order to give Congress time to evaluate the President’s proposal.

Discussing his strong concerns with the President’s proposal, Mr. Thomas Young, former CEO of Lockheed Martin Corp., said “A fundamental flaw in the proposed human spaceflight program is a commercial crew initiative which abandons the proven methodology I have described. NASA's role is reduced to defining safety requirements and general oversight.” Young concluded that “Commercial crew is a risk too high, not a responsible course and should not be approved.”

Hall agreed, saying “In the absence of a defensible, credible plan, I and many of our members continue to support the Constellation program as currently authorized and appropriated by successive Congresses.”

Press Contacts Committee Chairman Zachary Kurz 202-225-6371

Thursday, June 03, 2010

First Sestak, Now Romanoff-- Administration May Have Habit of Interfering in Elections

Lamar SmithWashington, D.C.—Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement responding to reports that Administration officials may have offered a job to former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff in an attempt to keep him from running against Democratic Senator Michael Bennet:

“It appears the Administration’s political interference in elections is not limited to the Pennsylvania Senate primary. I am concerned that the Obama Administration has engaged in a habit of attempting to manipulate the democratic election process to benefit the Democratic Party.
Such actions are certainly unethical and may very well be criminal. And it makes the recent White House report attempting to downplay allegations even less believable.

“I again urge the FBI to immediately investigate possible corrupt practices by White House officials. Similarly, the Justice Department should reconsider the request to appoint a special counsel. Though the Administration may think this is ‘politics as usual’, I can assure the American people that Congress will not stop until we are satisfied that we have found the truth.” ###

Wednesday, June 02, 2010 Kimberly Smith Communications Director 202-225-6906

Mike Pence Discusses Gaza Flotilla Incident and Oil Spill TEXT VIDEO


Transcript:

Drew Griffin: Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference. That makes you the number three of the House Republicans. Do you know what, we're going to follow the lead of our viewers. They want to know about Israel. And that's something you know a lot about on the various committees. You've been over there many times. You've talked directly with the Palestinians, Egyptians, Israelis. And it's this whole idea about what is happening in Gaza. Israel attacks or gets on or tries to stop these ships, it leads to a mess. Did Israel do the right thing?

Rep. Pence: Thanks for having me on, Drew. No one likes to see the loss of life. No one likes to see military confrontation, but Israel has a right of self-defense. And the reality is that Gaza is essentially an isolated, smaller version of a terrorist state. It launched lethal attacks against Israeli civilians in the form of thousands of rockets, and this blockade has saved lives. I know the focus now is the incident on Monday. People are looking into that, and that will all be discussed. But those of us that believe we need to stand with Israel during this time of crisis believe that preserving the blockade and standing with Israel and her right of self-defense is imperative in this moment. And let's be clear, there's not a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel allows to be transferred or transfers 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid into Gaza every week. The hospitals are fully stocked. The food markets are fully stocked. This flotilla was embarked on a mission to challenge the blockade. Security forces, Israeli defense forces challenged it, and violence ensued. But ultimately Israel has a right to defend itself.

Drew Griffin: Congressman, even in Congress, this is your fifth term, is that right? You've seen various peace efforts come and go. It’s been so frustrating for decades now, and once again it seems we're on the verge of restarting these peace talks, and yet another issue develops where the whole issue flares up again. Are we ever, ever, going to get to a place where the Palestinians, where Hamas will be in a position to negotiate with Israel or if we truly want to get some relief to the Palestinians who are stuck in Gaza, should we not be talking about getting rid of Hamas?

Rep. Pence: Well, let's make a very careful distinction between the Palestinian Authority and the terrorist organization, Hamas. Part of the reason behind this blockade, Drew, is to prevent the flow of arms to the extent they can into Hamas, so Hamas can begin again to use Gaza as a platform for attacks against Israel. There would be a pathway forward for a peace agreement with Israel. It would be very simple if the Palestinian leadership would recognize unequivocally Israel’s right to exist and essentially if it would initiate an effort to dismantle terrorist infrastructure within all the areas under their control. The reality here is that while Israel is often demonized by the international community, the Palestinian leadership has it in their authority today, under the rubric of the old roadmap that we all understand so well, to embrace just a couple of basic truths in the public debate and that would facilitate, I believe, a durable peace. But until that happens, then I think we need to stand by our most cherished ally, Israel, and we need to stand by her ability to defend herself.

Drew Griffin: Let me switch gears really quick. You were an early critic to the Obama Administration response to the oil spill. It's only gotten bigger since then. Do you still feel the same way, that this administration is not doing enough?

Rep. Pence: I believe the administration was slow to respond in the beginning. It took ten days after this incident happened for the president to send cabinet-level officials and the full resources of the federal government into the region. Sadly and astonishingly, the administration continues to be slow to respond. The president I know went to the region, had a press conference last week but, again, what we're hearing from parish leadership in the area, what we're hearing from fishermen, what we're hearing from Governor Bobby Jindal and others, is that, again, you're not seeing the leadership come out of the White House to really begin to drive forward the kind of resources that will be necessary to confront these issues. I saw another network last night literally pulled a local parish leader in with BP, sat them down, and by the end of the meeting BP had agreed to release additional boom that had been tied up and sitting on the shore. This administration, particularly the president, needs to take a more hands-on approach. BP has a responsibility to restrain the flow into the gulf. They have financial responsibility. But that’s our coastline and our president, under the law, is obligated to develop a plan for cleanup and to protect the coast, the families and our environment.

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

John Boehner Responds to President Obama’s Pittsburgh Speech on the Economy

House Republican Leader John Boehner

Uploaded on November 5, 2009 by House GOP Leader © All rights reserved.
GOP Leader: “It’s clear from his harsh partisan rhetoric today that President Obama has run out of excuses for his broken promises on the economy”

Washington, Jun 2 - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement today on President Obama’s speech in Pittsburgh, PA on the economy:
“It’s clear from his harsh partisan rhetoric today that President Obama has run out of excuses for his broken promises on the economy. Instead of creating the jobs and prosperity he promised, President Obama’s ‘new foundation’ consists of more spending, more debt, more job-killing policies, and more permanent bailouts, which is really no foundation at all. The President promised his ‘stimulus’ plan would keep unemployment below eight percent and create jobs ‘immediately,’ yet the unemployment rate remains unacceptably high at 9.9 percent, millions Americans have lost their jobs since the ‘stimulus’ was enacted, and one out of 10 remain out of work.

“If the President is truly serious about helping small businesses create jobs, we should focus on reining in wasteful Washington spending instead of sinking more taxpayer dollars into ‘stimulus’ programs that have failed to live up to the Administration’s own promises. And if the President is truly serious about helping our economy and saving our kids and grandkids from even more unconscionable debt, he should call on House and Senate Democrats to offer a budget that cuts spending right now to help create jobs.

“With a national debt now at $13 trillion, Americans are demanding fiscal sanity and real leadership from Washington. Republicans have listened to the American people and offered common-sense solutions to cut spending now in order to help spur job creation and get Washington’s fiscal house in order. It’s time for the President to step up, exhibit real leadership, and call on congressional Democrats to offer a budget that reins in out-of-control spending to help create jobs and get our economy moving again.

“The President diminishes the Office of the President when he resorts to straw man arguments that willfully mischaracterize the views of others. All of the President’s talk of post-partisanship, reaching out, and finding common ground reminds us that the country deserves better than his hyper-partisan speech today.”

NOTE: Noted economist Allan Meltzer of Carnegie Mellon University, a member of Leader Boehner's informal “kitchen cabinet” of economists, responded to President Obama's remarks on the economy today in Pittsburgh:

“When President Obama spoke at Carnegie Mellon University today, his rhetoric was divorced from current reality. His administration and the Congress continue to increase government spending. President Obama talks about reducing spending, but he hasn't vetoed a spending bill. Cities and states are about to go bankrupt or default on their debt, while the President mandates increased state spending for Medicaid. The reality is that the huge stimulus spending has done little to reduce unemployment. Long-term unemployment has never been higher in the past 60 years. Mr. President, it's past time to rein in the government and put the country on a path to future prosperity so we don't end [up] like Greece.”

Dr. Meltzer was one of 222 American economists PDF who signed a letter to President Obama at the end of 2009 surging him to take action to rein in federal spending in order to boost the economy and create jobs.