On February 5, President Bush delivered his budget to Congress. The president's budget continues more of the fiscal policies that have plunged our nation into record debt. It is critical that Congress work in a bipartisan fashion to produce a budget that reflects our nation's values and priorities and that restores fiscal discipline. We cannot ignore the budget deficits and debt that threaten our national security and economic prosperity.
After looking at the president's budget one thing is clear: the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are consuming a significant portion of our national treasure. It's becoming increasingly apparent that we need to find a responsible end to the war in Iraq so that we can focus on domestic priorities that are of great importance to Coloradans, like health care, education and energy independence.
The budget has some good news for military installations in Colorado, such as construction money for facilities at Schriever Air Force Base, Fort Carson and a new VA hospital at Fitzsimons. Fort Carson will see a large influx of new personnel as a result of base realignment and closure and I will continue to work to make sure that Fort Carson has the funding to meet the needs of its soldiers and their families.
Last year, the president visited the National Renewable Energy Lab and in his State of the Union address two weeks ago he called for a greater commitment to energy independence. Yet his proposed budget cuts NREL funding by $6.1 million, while fossil fuels and nuclear energy each get over a 30% increase. Where is the balance in this budget and where is the dedication to energy independence? The president needs to walk his talk, and if he will not, I will work with the new Congress to increase funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. Energy independence is so critical to our national security, our energy security and our economy that we cannot afford to shortchange programs that will move us forward.
Legislation Strengthens, Streamlines Federal Climate Change Research
This week I introduced bipartisan legislation with Rep. Bob Inglis (R-SC) to strengthen and streamline federal climate change research and reorient it to make it more user-friendly for state and local governments, planners and researchers. The Global Change Research and Data Management Act is similar to legislation that the Science Committee rejected in 2003 on a party-line vote.
All research and evidence indicates that climate change is happening. Ask farmers about their crop yields. Ask the ski industry, which depends on snowfall to run the slopes. The IPCC report released last week further solidifies the scientific opinion about climate change - the planet is getting warmer and human activity is responsible for this change. With the scientific questions settled, Congress must address what policy changes our nation will make in response. This bill reaffirms the need for continued strong federal support for research and maps out a new emphasis on producing information needed to inform everyday decisions.
The bill would replace the current law that established the U.S. Global Change Research Program in 1990 and simplify its detailed organizational structure. It would give the Bush administration flexibility in forming an Interagency Committee, which would identify and consult with the user community in developing a research plan, and would involve the National Governors Association in evaluating the plan for its practical uses and policy relevance. The bill would retain many of the key features of the current law such as requirements for ten-year strategic plan, periodic reviews of the effects on global change on natural, social and economic systems, and increased international cooperation in global change science.
In addition, the bill creates a new interagency working group to coordinate federal policies on data management and archiving. Advances in computer monitoring and satellite technologies have vastly expanded the ability to collect and analyze data, and we must do a better job of managing and archiving data to support the work of scientists and to make that data and research more relevant to policymakers on the state and local levels.
Cleaning Up The Meth Problem In Colorado And Supporting Law Enforcement
On February 7, the U.S. House approved a bill I cosponsored by to help communities across Colorado clean up methamphetamine labs and the toxic mess they leave behind. H.R. 365, the Methamphetamine Remediation Act, charges the Environmental Protection Agency with the development of health-based guidelines to assist state and local authorities in cleaning up former meth lab sites.
Meth labs are often found in residential settings, houses, apartments or hotel rooms. Because the chemicals used in making meth are highly volatile, the toxic residue left behind could threaten the health of whoever should occupy that space next. While some states have already passed laws that require the clean-up of former meth labs, there is no good health-based data to guide that process.
In addition to establishing guidelines, the bill would also:
- Direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology to consult with EPA in developing technologies to detect meth labs, emphasizing in field test kits for law enforcement.
- Require the National Academy of Sciences to study the long-term health impacts of meth exposure on first-responders and on children taken from meth lab sites.
According to a 2006 National Drug Threat Survey of state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation, meth was named most often as the greatest drug threat in communities. The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that more than 149 meth labs were seized in Colorado in 2005. According to the North Metro Task Force, thirty to thirty-five percent of seized meth labs are in homes where children reside.
There is an urgent need for Congress to pass legislation to help law enforcement find, shut down and clean up old meth labs. Meth destroys lives, it destroys communities, and it particularly harms children. We must do all that we can to address this epidemic in our communities. I came to Congress to assist our communities and this bill will do just that.
Udall Bill Would Speed Up Compensation, Care For Sick Rocky Flats Workers
Once again I have introduced legislation that would help former Rocky Flats employees get compensation and care under a government program for illnesses they contracted from on-the-job exposure to radiation.
Some Rocky Flats workers, despite having worked with tons of plutonium and having known exposures leading to serious health problems, have been denied compensation because of bureaucratic red-tape, missing records, and inaccurate methods for linking employment and exposure. It's time that we do the right thing and deliver on our promise to these workers for their contributions to winning the Cold War.
H.R. 904, The Rocky Flats Special Exposure Cohort Act, would amend the Energy Employees Occupational Injury Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) to extend special exposure cohort status to Department of Energy employees, contractor employees or atomic weapons employees who worked at Rocky Flats for at least 250 days. The EEOICPA provides a lump sum payment of $150,000 and medical coverage to DOE contract workers who are ill because of exposure to radiation. In addition, the Act provides other benefits to those who were exposed to radiation and hazardous chemicals and materials at DOE nuclear facilities.
At certain sites throughout the country, there were serious administrative shortcomings in the way workers' exposure to radiation was monitored and documented, so the law includes a special exposure cohort provision that cuts red tape for those individuals who are attempting to receive compensation and care. Under my bill, Rocky Flats workers who qualify would receive this special cohort status.
Udall Urges BLM To Withdraw Oil And Gas Leases For Sale In State Wildlife Areas
On February 5, I wrote to the state director of the Bureau of Land Management to ask her to withdraw the Little Snake, Browns Park, Spanish Peaks and Red Lion State Wildlife Areas (SWAs) from the oil and gas lease sale scheduled for February 6, 2007, until the BLM considers the protests of the Colorado Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation.
On February 8, the BLM said they would delay action on these leases until they consider the protests. I'm pleased with this decision. SWAs provide uniquely important wildlife habitat and wildlife recreation, and to offer oil and gas leases on these properties in the face of protests from the Colorado and National Wildlife Federations - and the concerns of the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) - fundamentally overlooks their importance to the State of Colorado, its wildlife, people, rural economies and quality of life. I am particularly concerned that leases on these SWAs will have the effect of reducing hunting and fishing access and opportunities in a time both are already significantly declining.
The letter of protest from the wildlife federations raises serious objections that should be addressed before BLM leases these lands and before BLM proceeds with any other leases consisting of SWAs. Ultimately, the quality of wildlife, habitat, and wildlife recreation on SWAs should not be compromised, but if the BLM insists continuing to lease these areas for oil and gas development, then they should go to extra lengths to mitigate any potentially adverse effects - especially incorporating stipulations recommended by CDOW.
Bill Would Ban Use Of Campaign Funds To Pay Salary For Candidates Or Immediate Family Members
On January 31, I joined as a cosponsor of legislation sponsored by Rep. Phil English (R-PA) which would prohibit the use of campaign funds for the payment of a salary to a candidate running for federal office or to pay the salary to the candidate's immediate family.
Before 2002, the Federal Election Commission prohibited campaigns from paying salaries to candidates because it amounted to a conversion of campaign money to a candidate's personal funds. In 2002, the FEC voted to allow federal candidates to receive a salary from their campaigns, effectively allowing candidates to use campaign funds to pay for personal uses such as food, clothing, utilities and mortgages, which is prohibited by federal law.
Current law also allows a candidate to pay an immediate family member a salary from a campaign account for campaign-related work. This is a loophole in campaign finance law. The Candidate Anti-Corruption Act would close it and ensure that campaign funds go toward legitimate uses and not toward enhancing a candidate's lifestyle.
In effect, the 2002 FEC ruling allowing candidates to use campaign funds to pay salaries to themselves or their family members enables them to evade the federal law that prohibits candidates from using campaign funds for personal expenses. This is a loophole big enough to drive a truckload of money through. Campaign accounts should be used for legitimate campaign expenses, not as a slush fund that candidates or their family members could use to pay for their personal expenses. Coloradans expect their elected officials to act ethically and appropriately and I'm pleased that Rep. English has sponsored this important piece of legislation. I'll work with him to get it passed in the House.
Congressman Mark Udall
Serving Colorado's Front Range and Western Slope