Walberg Weekly Wrap-Up: "Another Energyless Energy Bill, Trying Economic Times, Military Academy Nominations"

Op-Ed

WALBERG WEEKLY WRAP-UP: "Another Energyless Energy Bill, Trying Economic Times, Military Academy Nominations"

Another Energyless Energy Bill

Late Monday night, under the guise of darkness, Speaker Pelosi and her Democratic allies introduced another energy bill that fails to produce any new American energy. The following morning, Speaker Pelosi forced a vote on this massive, bloated legislation.

The Pelosi bill adds more restrictions to exploration of the Outer Continental Shelf, Alaska's North Slope and the Inter-Mountain West; contains no nuclear energy or clean coal-to-liquids technology; offers no lawsuit reform; prevents the building of new refineries and includes $19 billion in energy tax hikes on American consumers, manufacturers and small businesses. In short, this is an energyless energy bill that puts politics above principle. Instead of working on a real energy plan, this Congress would rather pass a bill that maximizes political gains for a political party. We need to put aside partisan posturing and open the House Chamber to a real debate and allow real votes on America's energy future.

Prior to final passage of the Democrats' "no energy" bill, the Majority rejected a Republican proposal to pass the bipartisan National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act (H.R. 6709), a bill authored by Reps. John Peterson (R-PA) and Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) and co-sponsored by 39 Democrats and over 90 Republicans. While not perfect, this bill is the closest to a truly bi-partisan compromise the House has come all year, yet House Democrats rejected the bill as only 13 Democrats supported this legislation.

Speaker Pelosi has one week left to pass a new energy bill that takes an ‘all of the above' approach: more drilling, more alternatives, more conservation. The majority of members in Congress are willing to work together to make such a bill a reality, but time is running out. Speaker Pelosi has scheduled the House to adjourn on September 26. I will continue pushing for the energy bill we need over the next few days.

Trying Economic Times

During these trying economic times, I will do my best to push for good policy for Michigan and to work in a bipartisan way with the Administration and my Democratic colleagues to stabilize our markets and get our economy back on track. Right now, America is facing a clear threat to our country's economic underpinnings, and we need to make the right moves to get our economy moving again.

One thing Congress can do is encourage job creation and economic growth by keeping taxes low, passing a new energy bill and enabling our job creators to innovate, grow and expand. America needs to encourage investment, and I believe hard-working families in south-central Michigan and across the United States should not be taxed on inflationary increases. I have co-sponsored the Capital Gains Inflation Relief Act (H.R.1261), which would stop American families, small business owners and family farmers from being taxed on gains that came simply from inflation. This legislation would provide homeowners, farmers and business owners tax fairness and encourage investment and saving.

Another bill I support, the Savings for Working Families Act (H.R.1514), would help middle and lower income families save and invest for the future. This bi-partisan legislation would give working Americans the opportunity to build assets through matched savings accounts, help combat poverty and raise the savings rate.

I will continue to oppose the tax hikes that some in Congress want to pass, along with bloated budget bills that will just leave more debt to our children and grandchildren. Tax hikes ultimately make America less competitive, and I believe Congress could better spend time ending and eliminating ineffective and inefficient government programs.

Military Academy Nominations

The deadline for students to submit their application packets for military academy nominations to my office is October 3, 2008. There are five Service Academies: the United States Air Force (USAFA), Naval (USNA), Military (USMA), Merchant Marine (USMMA), and Coast Guard (USCGA) Academies. Nominations are required for all but the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, to which appointments are made on the basis of an annual nationwide competition.

An applicant for a nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1 of the year of admission to a service academy: He or she must be at least 17 years old, but not have passed the 23rd birthday, must be a United States citizen, and must be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents.

To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, an applicant must meet the eligibility requirements established by law and be nominated from an authorized person including a member of the United States Senate or the House of Representatives. I may nominate applicants who are legally domiciled within the boundaries of Michigan's 7th District. For more information please email MaryAnn.Duffy@mail.house.gov or call (517) 780-9075. Completed packets can be mailed to 800 West Ganson, Jackson, Michigan, 49202.

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