Wednesday, June 16, 2010
10:30 AM
Wis. delegation reacts to Obama address
President Obama's address to the nation about the Gulf oil spill is getting mixed reaction from Wisconsin's congressional members.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, lauded Obama's call for a comprehensive clean energy plan to stem the nation's reliance on oil.
"The President also affirmed his commitment to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and developing clean energy policies that will enhance our nation's security, our planet's sustainability, and our children's future," Baldwin said. "These goals can only be achieved with a system that reduces our greenhouse gas emissions by putting a price on carbon."
U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen said Obama's address mirrors the demands laid out in his recent "Oil Spill Responsibility Act of 2010," which he says has 40 co-sponsors and counting.
"These Wall Street corporations have to be held accountable," Kagen, D-Appleton, said in a conference call with reporters. His bill would mandate that BP set aside $25 billion to aid in the recovery effort, and Kagen said he's not too worried about the company's expenses given that its resources in the Gulf were estimated at $150 billion.
"British Petroleum is worth more alive than it is dead," Kagen said.
But GOP U.S. Reps. Paul Ryan and Jim Sensenbrenner accused Obama of using the crisis to further a political agenda.
“Shortly after President Obama was elected, Rahm Emanuel, his Chief of Staff said: 'You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.' Much to the detriment of our country, and the people of the Gulf Coast, the Obama Administration is following this philosophy with the BP oil spill," Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls, said.
"The drilling moratorium and talk of imposing a costly cap-and-tax scheme on Wisconsin families and small businesses only furthers our dependence on foreign oil, drives up energy costs, and destroys jobs in Wisconsin and across the country," said Ryan, R-Janesville.
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