Tag: Obama Administration

Washington, D.C.--House Oversight and Government Reform Committee member Rep Tim Walberg released the following statement regarding the Committee's approval of a resolution to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt for his refusal to turn over documents related to the Fast & Furious operation:

"Today's vote is part of the Committee's pursuit and my personal commitment to provide the family of fallen Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, a native of Michigan, with answers on why their son was killed by guns in Operation Fast & Furious that had been allowed to "walk" into the hands of criminals. It gives me no excitement or joy, but after a series of accommodations made by the Committee, the Attorney General Holder and the Department of Justice continue to stonewall a Congressional investigation.

Despite being contrary to the Constitution and a century of case law, the Department of Justice thinks they can decide what documents we need and which ones we don't.  Attorney General Holder refuses to comply with a Congressional subpoena and won't even give the Committee a list of the documents he is withholding. Frankly, we don't know what we don't know.

"As you go forward, will you consult with the United States Congress?"

Panetta replied, "You know, our goal would be to seek international permission. And we would come to the Congress and inform you and determine how best to approach this, whether or not we would want to get permission from the Congress."

Washington, D.C.- U.S. Rep Tim Walberg (R) MI-7 released the following statement after Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta's testimony before the Senate Armed Services about indicating that he would "seek international permission" before any action relating to Syria rather than asking Congress for such authority.

"I believe Secretary Panetta's comments to the Senate Armed Services Committee were telling.  This Administration doesn't appear to believe Congress is to be consulted when it comes to military intervention.  As we learned in Libya, the President did not deem the Constitution, the War Powers Act, or the U.S. Senate as a check on his ability to go to war. The President should remember that he is bound by the legal authority of the United States, not the "permission" of the international community that the Secretary alluded to in his testimony.  I'm glad that Secretary Panetta has since clarified his remarks, and I hope that before engaging in any future military conflicts the Administration puts our country ahead of the interests of the international community."

I have been adding to this all week, and have tried to make it as concise as possible, but as more information became available, editing was required.  Let me know if any clarification is needed.

I wrote at the beginning of the month about the coal fired plant in Marquette being threatened by a new and extremely aggressive set of EPA  rules.  The shutdown of that plant of course would leave in question the future of paper mills, and the electrical needs of yoopers.  At least the future of the cost being at all affordable.  The jobs that would be lost as higher costs come to bear also joined by a literal health care crisis as fewer would be insured, and less money in the pockets of those Michiganders would encourage poorer health choices.

Health, of course is the victim of the 'boogeyman' coal fired power industry.  You've seen the ubiquitous American Lung Association "coughing baby" ads supporting the Obama EPA's push to shut down the coal industry, right?  What might surprise you is that those ads are funded in part by Chesapeake Energy, the country's second-largest natural gas producer.

Coming amidst an impending decision by the EPA on the Utility MACT (maximum achievable control technology)  rule that is expected to lead to job loses, plant shutdowns, and rolling blackouts across the country, this strange partnership raises a question.  What does Chesapeake stand to gain, by pouring money into a seemingly disparate organization with extremely different objectives and priorities? Politico writes:

The ads come as the coal industry is at war with the Obama administration over new rules to curb pollution from coal-fired power plants. The EPA is expected to issue new rules on Friday to curb air toxics from power plants, which are estimated to cost industry about $10.9 billion each year.

Stricter rules for power plants are expected to offer a competitive advantage to the cleaner-burning natural gas industry.