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CO-Sen: Udall’s Reactions |
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Colorado’s The Summit Daily News provides us with Democratic Congressman and Senate candidate Mark Udall’s reactions to President Bush’s State of the Union. They offer a glimpse into his stances on important issues, and also demonstrate the ways in which he’s attempting to confront problems in the here and now.
On the economy
Rep. Mark Udall: “We need to strengthen our economy but this will require more than a short-term economic stimulus; it will require greater focus on economic fundamentals, including restoring fiscal discipline, increasing research and development, expanding American jobs, ending a costly war in Iraq, and getting this country on a path to energy security.â€Â
On the war
Rep. Mark Udall: “In Iraq, while the ‘surge’ of troops has brought some real improvements, our armed forces are so strained that it cannot be sustained much longer. A ‘diplomatic surge’ is needed, along with a responsible redeployment strategy like that called for by the Iraq Study Group. We also must reinforce security efforts in Afghanistan. Regarding Iran, I’ve introduced legislation (H.R. 3119) to bar military action without prior Congressional approval, and I am glad the president emphasized the importance of concerted international action and diplomacy.â€Â
On immigration
Rep. Mark Udall: “I agree with the president that both entitlement programs and immigration need urgent attention, and I am cosponsoring bipartisan legislation on each. One bill (H.R. 3654) would establish a bipartisan commission to develop legislation on entitlements. The other (H.R. 4088, the ‘SAVE’ Act) would strengthen border security and, I hope, lay the foundation for the comprehensive reform that we need.â€Â
On congressional spending
Rep. Mark Udall: “As for earmarks, I agree with President Bush that there should be more transparency and accountability in Congressional spending. That is why I have introduced legislation (H.R, 595, the ‘SLICE’ Act) to give the President a constitutionally-sound version of a line-item veto that would enable him to require Congress to take a separate vote on specific spending items, and why I am cosponsoring Rep. Jeff Flake’s bill (H.R. 631, the ‘Earmark Transparency and Accountability Act’) that would require earmarks to be in the texts of bills  not just committee reports  so that they would be open to amendments on the floor.â€Â
On energy
Rep. Mark Udall: “I was glad to hear the President again express support for reducing our dependence on oil and for moving to a new generation of clean energy technology. I will be renewing my efforts to pass a national renewable energy standard and to increase support for renewable energy and greater energy efficiency, and I hope to have the Administration’s support in that effort.â€Â
I’d drink a brew with this guy.
according to a draft internal study obtained by The Washington Post. Last year, 121 soldiers took their own lives, nearly 20 percent more than in 2006.
Last year, about 2,100 soldiers injured themselves or attempted suicide, compared with about 350 in 2002, according to the U.S. Army Medical Command Suicide Prevention Action Plan.
—- I think one of you should write on this. Another cost of this war.