Health care just part of congressional agenda The continuing threat of terrorism, the war in Afghanistan, the instability in neighboring Pakistan, swelling government debt, high unemployment, the need to reduce American dependence on foreign oil ... The Mankato Democrat acknowledged the strong opposition from the right to the Democratic-dominated federal government. Having held numerous public forums and town hall meetings, Walz has exposed himself to the broad range of public opinion in the 1st District. “Some at my town halls thought I was worse than a broken clock — they’re right twice a day,” he said. There’s one area where he claims unequivocal success: veterans issues. He mentions reforms in veterans programs and improved funding and applauds the collegiality between Republicans and Democrats on the Veterans Affairs Committee. The way partisanship is set aside in the interest of veterans should be an example for the rest of Congress, Walz said. Instead, it’s an exception in a city where too many people are motivated primarily by partisan scheming. “It seems at times to be a game to people, (about) who wins and who loses. At the end of the day, everybody loses.” Health care, energy The health care reform bill, now in final negotiations, is on course to get his support. Walz said there’s no need to delay further. “This has been the most debated bill ever,” he said. As for his support of an energy/climate bill, Walz said he sees it as market-based approach to reducing pollution while moving America toward energy independence. The legislation attempts to cap gases associated with global climate change, allowing pollution credits to be bought and sold by emitters. Basically, companies and other entities that wish to emit greenhouse gases have to pay a fee to do so. Companies that reduce emissions can sell the unused right to emit those gases to others. The process will increasingly make fossil fuels more expensive, something that opponents say will drive up energy costs for average Americans. Walz believes the system will spark innovation and reduce America’s dependence on oil from the Middle East and other unfriendly parts of the world. Walz said he’s open to alternatives to cap and trade, but America must find a way to produce more of its own energy. Energy consumption in the United States is going to rise, so producing that additional fuel and electricity domestically could have a dramatic impact on the economy, Walz said. That transition also would eliminate one cause for the nation’s continuous involvement in Middle Eastern affairs. “It means we don’t have to be there for economic reasons,” Walz said of the result of energy independence. Jobs and spending “That spending did create jobs,” he said. At the same time, Walz said he believes the federal government is nearing the limit of how much debt it can pile up and that economic growth depends on Congress showing it is serious about deficit reduction. The annual federal deficit has now topped $1 trillion. War and terrorism The 14 bullet points included questions on who is coordinating strategy in Pakistan and Afghanistan between the State Department, the Defense Department and other government agencies; how is corruption in the Afghan government being dealt with; what is the general mission of each of the combat units being sent to the region; and how will the continuing war be paid for? He noted that Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in December that he considers the current effort in the region to be “the second war in Afghanistan.” The first war was won in late 2001 and in 2002 when the Taliban was routed and al-Qaida was essentially pushed from the country. Distracted by the launch of the war in Iraq, the United States allowed the situation in Afghanistan to deteriorate, and Gates said a second war began in 2005. “Then we need to think about bringing this to the House floor again,” Walz said of Congress’ constitutional responsibility to authorize war. |
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