Thank you for contacting me regarding the American Clean Energy and Security Act. I welcome your thoughts and comments.
In our effort to reduce emissions, I believe we must invest in alternative sources of energy. Wind, solar, nuclear, and biomass are clean, safe and effective sources of power. Their increased use would create thousands of jobs and allow us to produce energy for Americans, by Americans.
Some Members of Congress have expressed their intent to mandate a cap-and-trade policy to be imposed on all Americans. I believe that cap-and-trade would increase energy prices. In 2008, Peter Orszag, who then served as the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, and who now serves as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, testified before the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Finance on the implications of a cap-and-trade regime. In his testimony, Director Orszag stated, “Under a cap-and-trade program, firms would not ultimately bear most of the costs of the allowances but instead would pass them along to their customers in the form of higher prices.”
For this reason, I believe that a cap-and-trade approach to address climate change would be onerous and would adversely impact the economy. It could create economic hardship for farmers, ranchers, workers and small businesses, in addition to consumers. The last thing our nation needs during this time of economic hardship is higher energy prices and higher levels of unemployment due to a federal mandate passed down from Washington.
As cap-and-trade legislation comes before the Senate, I will keep your comments in mind. I appreciate hearing from you, and I hope you will not hesitate to keep in touch on any issue that is important to you.
Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senator
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5922 (tel)
202-224-0776 (fax)
http://hutchison.senate.gov
PLEASE DO NOT REPLY to this message as it is not a valid e-mail address. Due to the tremendous volume of mail Senator Hutchison receives, she requests that all email messages be sent through the contact form found on her website at http://hutchison.senate.gov/contact.cfm .
If you would like more information about issues pending before the Senate, please visit the Senator’s website at http://hutchison.senate.gov . You will find articles, floor statements, and press releases, along with her weekly column and monthly television show on current events. You can also sign up to receive Senator Hutchison’s weekly e-newsletter.
Thank you.
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fromSenator John Cornyn <newsletter@cornyn.senate.gov>
reply-to2100042060.1118037.51@enews.senate.gov
date: Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 5:08 PM
subject: An Update From Senator John Cornyn
Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn
Friday, June 26, 2009
Health care reform remains the leading topic of debate here in the United States Senate and something that is very important to me. Congress’ action on this will have profound implications on every American. Everyone agrees that our health care system is in need of reform. We need to make health coverage more affordable so all Americans have access to quality health care. But we need to make sure that it is the right kind of reform, and the Democrats’ proposal for a government takeover of our health care system isn’t it. I believe that the more Americans learn about what their plans contain, the less they will like it. The government take over comes with an astronomical price tag, and could fundamentally affect the sacred patient doctor relationship and lead to rationing of care.
At a time when the federal government is already on track to doubling the national debt in five years and tripling it in ten, with our national deficit nearing a record $2 trillion, you would think this would be the time to slow down and make sure that we are choosing the right reforms and funding the right programs that will successfully provide more Americans with quality and affordable health coverage. Instead, non-partisan evaluations of the Democrats’ plan show it would cost a fortune and accomplish little for the many Americans who can’t afford health coverage for themselves, their families and their employees.
I will continue to push for Congress to adopt the kind of reasonable health care proposals that Texans will benefit from. I’m working on common-sense solutions that will allow more families and small businesses to be covered, without sacrificing control to Washington or engaging in out-of-control spending. Next week I’ll be back in Texas to continue my health care outreach tour. On Tuesday, I’ll be joined by Sens. McConnell and McCain at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston where we will discuss health care reform with Texans.
Also this week, the Senate considered the nomination of Professor Harold Koh, President Obama’s nominee to serve as legal adviser to the U.S. State Department. Though this position is not well-known, it is a very important position that significantly impacts international treaties and national security matters. I am deeply troubled by Professor Koh’s past statements and lectures, which go against some of the core democratic values that our nation was founded on. Perhaps most relevant given the current turmoil in Iran, Professor Koh has written, “The United States cannot stand on strong footing, attacking Iran for illegal detentions when similar charges can be and have been lodged against our own government.” We don’t need another voice in the Administration whose first instinct is to blame America. I repeatedly urged my Senate colleagues to oppose his confirmation because I believe Professor Koh’s record clearly indicates he is the wrong person for this job.
For more information on these and other topics, go directly to my Web site. I also welcome the opportunity to connect through Facebook, where I share updates, articles and videos related to my work in the Senate on a regular basis.To view floor speeches, interviews and other video messages from me, please visit my YouTube Channel. To receive additional updates, please select the issues that interest you listed on the right. It’s an honor to serve you in the United States Senate.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator John Cornyn
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