Print
Comment
Rate
Giffords talks about U.S. energy woes, campaign
By Bill Hess/Wick Communications
SIERRA VISTA - Soon after next week's Democratic National Convention, Congress will go back in session.
And when Congress returns, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords envisions energy bills will be the main ones discussed.
She supports solar energy as something the nation needs to pursue. But Giffords also says drilling and exploration for oil must be part of a larger package to address the nation's energy woes.
Giffords, who is the Democratic candidate in Congressional District 8, discussed her views on a variety of issues with the Herald/Review during an hourlong meeting on Friday.
Continuing on her views about oil, Giffords said companies who have millions of acres of land on which they can drill and haven't should start drilling or lose the leases.
As for drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, she said there is another area west of that region that probably would be a better source of oil and will not be as environmentally damaging.
But, she said, the United States must recognize the amount of oil available within the nation is not enough to address all the energy issues.
A vocal supporter of pursuing solar power, Giffords said she also can get behind nuclear power, even though she doesn't like it as well. She also said she supports efforts on other renewable energy sources.
The nation must explore, drill and refine along with supporting all other forms of energy, Giffords said.
Looking at solving the national energy crisis means doing everything possible, she said, adding the Congress must find solutions in light that China and India are growing consumers of oil and other energy.
"That's a no-brainer," the first-term congresswoman added.
It will be interesting to see what the congressional Republicans will do when the GOP National Convention is over, which hopefully will mean the more moderate voices from both parties will have a better opportunity to work on logical solutions together, said the congresswoman, who proudly states she is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate to conservative Democrats.
While there is a great deal of work still to be done in Congress, she is attuned to the fact that she also is facing a serious challenge in the November general election from state Senate President Tim Bee, the Republican candidate.
While Giffords acknowledges she and her opponent are moderates and both have reached across the aisle, there are areas on which they disagree for the voters to see their differences.
"I'm pro-choice, he's not. I want to extend Kids Care (a special health program) by 10 million (children). He's on record of supporting the president's veto. We have real policy differences," she said.
In her 20 months in office, Giffords noted has stood up to be counted showing fiscal responsibility, including a vote against the $3 trillion budget resolution for the next fiscal year, which starts on Oct. 1, because the bill didn't recognize a built-in $340 billion deficit.
Congress must change its "credit card" mentality that has existed for several years, she said.
But she also said she's making sure to make funding requests for Southern Arizona and Cochise County organizations, such as the Upper San Pedro Partnership, Fort Huachuca and medical facilities. She said that Arizona has been at the bottom of appropriations requests in Congress.
"This is our money," she said.
When it comes to the November election, Giffords said she knows Republican groups will be targeting her because the congressional district is seen as a possible place to gain a seat, given that it's typically leaned Republican.
But she said her record shows she has responded to constituents, had a number of bills she introduced either passed in the House of Representatives or parts of them included into a final law signed by the president.
Looking forward to a second-term, Giffords said there are many issues facing the next Congress. She believes Barack Obama will be in the White House, and there will be a lot of work to undo Republican errors made in the past several years.
HERALD/REVIEW senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
FUNDRAISING
Republican Tim Bee outraised Democrat Gabrielle Giffords in the past six weeks, according to filings both made with the Federal Election Commission.
The filings for the two candidates competing for Arizona's Congressional District 8 seat - Giffords is the incumbent and Bee the challenger - covered the period July 1 through Aug. 13.
Bee raised nearly $280,000 compared to Giffords' $230,000.
However, Giffords has more cash-on-hand - slightly more than $2.1 million - compared to Bee's nearly $590,000.
- Bill Hess€Herald/Review
And when Congress returns, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords envisions energy bills will be the main ones discussed.
She supports solar energy as something the nation needs to pursue. But Giffords also says drilling and exploration for oil must be part of a larger package to address the nation's energy woes.
Giffords, who is the Democratic candidate in Congressional District 8, discussed her views on a variety of issues with the Herald/Review during an hourlong meeting on Friday.
Continuing on her views about oil, Giffords said companies who have millions of acres of land on which they can drill and haven't should start drilling or lose the leases.
As for drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, she said there is another area west of that region that probably would be a better source of oil and will not be as environmentally damaging.
But, she said, the United States must recognize the amount of oil available within the nation is not enough to address all the energy issues.
A vocal supporter of pursuing solar power, Giffords said she also can get behind nuclear power, even though she doesn't like it as well. She also said she supports efforts on other renewable energy sources.
The nation must explore, drill and refine along with supporting all other forms of energy, Giffords said.
Looking at solving the national energy crisis means doing everything possible, she said, adding the Congress must find solutions in light that China and India are growing consumers of oil and other energy.
"That's a no-brainer," the first-term congresswoman added.
It will be interesting to see what the congressional Republicans will do when the GOP National Convention is over, which hopefully will mean the more moderate voices from both parties will have a better opportunity to work on logical solutions together, said the congresswoman, who proudly states she is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate to conservative Democrats.
While there is a great deal of work still to be done in Congress, she is attuned to the fact that she also is facing a serious challenge in the November general election from state Senate President Tim Bee, the Republican candidate.
While Giffords acknowledges she and her opponent are moderates and both have reached across the aisle, there are areas on which they disagree for the voters to see their differences.
"I'm pro-choice, he's not. I want to extend Kids Care (a special health program) by 10 million (children). He's on record of supporting the president's veto. We have real policy differences," she said.
In her 20 months in office, Giffords noted has stood up to be counted showing fiscal responsibility, including a vote against the $3 trillion budget resolution for the next fiscal year, which starts on Oct. 1, because the bill didn't recognize a built-in $340 billion deficit.
Congress must change its "credit card" mentality that has existed for several years, she said.
But she also said she's making sure to make funding requests for Southern Arizona and Cochise County organizations, such as the Upper San Pedro Partnership, Fort Huachuca and medical facilities. She said that Arizona has been at the bottom of appropriations requests in Congress.
"This is our money," she said.
When it comes to the November election, Giffords said she knows Republican groups will be targeting her because the congressional district is seen as a possible place to gain a seat, given that it's typically leaned Republican.
But she said her record shows she has responded to constituents, had a number of bills she introduced either passed in the House of Representatives or parts of them included into a final law signed by the president.
Looking forward to a second-term, Giffords said there are many issues facing the next Congress. She believes Barack Obama will be in the White House, and there will be a lot of work to undo Republican errors made in the past several years.
HERALD/REVIEW senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
FUNDRAISING
Republican Tim Bee outraised Democrat Gabrielle Giffords in the past six weeks, according to filings both made with the Federal Election Commission.
The filings for the two candidates competing for Arizona's Congressional District 8 seat - Giffords is the incumbent and Bee the challenger - covered the period July 1 through Aug. 13.
Bee raised nearly $280,000 compared to Giffords' $230,000.
However, Giffords has more cash-on-hand - slightly more than $2.1 million - compared to Bee's nearly $590,000.
- Bill Hess€Herald/Review
 |
 |
|
| Democratic National Convention delegate from SV | Bee explains approach to legislating, views on issues |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of willcoxrangenews.com.
