EPW Republicans Respond to Obama's State of the Union

President Obama’s historic State of the Union Speech yesterday, he highlighted a number of initiatives on his agenda that pertained directly to the Environment and Public Works Committee. Following his speech, Senator Crapo (R-ID) a member of the Environment and Public Works committee had the following reaction:

Tonight was a great night for democracy and a great night for America. We saw our first African-American president with our first female Speaker. Both have rightfully earned their place on the world stage. And although I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't disappointed that my party was giving up leadership, I still think that significance of this transition of power--peaceful for the 43rd time--should not be overlooked. 

As for Mr. Obama's speech, it is clear that the administration and my party share many of the same goals. We both agree that fixing the economy is imperative, and should be the top priority. Millions of Americans are suffering because of the greed on Wall Street and their defenders in Washington, and something needs to be done about it. We also agree that our skyrocketing health care costs need to be reexamined and made affordable for all Americans. And when it comes to the environment, action is needed to wean ourselves from our dangerous addiction to foreign oil and to begin encouraging a reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions.

But although we may share these goals, we clearly see two very different roads to get there. I'll talk specifically about our approach in the Environment and Public Works Committee. Addressing climate change is sure to be a priority in our committee, as it should. But the Democrats and the Administration need to know that we will not allow this country to dive head-first into their extensive liberal fantasy just because they (dubiously) claim the banner of climate protection. Enacting strict cap-and-trade legislation or could significantly raise costs on American businesses is a tall order in the midst of a recession. Instead of adding additional costs to the already overburdened American consumers, we should further encourage the development of renewable energy. The great state of Idaho gets the vast majority of its electricity from clean renewable sources, including hydropower, wind, solar, biofuels, and nuclear energy. I would like to see more states follow in our path instead of further expanding government with strict mandates and more taxes from Washington. 

I look forward to the days ahead. The first meeting went okay. It seems that our colleagues across the aisle don't quite have their policy agenda fully in order. This further reinforces our fear that the Democrats may be attempting to rush the American people into some very major changes through half-baked legislation rather than wait and begin a more intensive dialogue about whether our citizens true interests are best being served. 

Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), the ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, further echoed Sen. Crapo’s call for a revitalization of the economy with the proposition of the Generating the Requisite Opportunities for Work in the United States Act (GROW US Act). Sen. Inhofe remarked that “this act is instrumental in helping those who have been hard hit by the decline of the auto industry and outsourcing and serves to better the current economic situation in the United States.” The act aims to provide opportunities for entrepreneurial Americans and pump money back in to the nation’s economy.

Senator Crapo and Senator Inhofe have both demonstrated that the Republican agenda in the Environment and Public Works Committee centers on a revitalization of the US economy through the support of alternative sources of energy and the reliance on the ingenuity of the American people.