Idaho praises wolf delisting

BOISE – Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and all four members of Idaho’s congressional delegation joined today in praising Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s affirmation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to remove gray wolves from the list of threatened and endangered species in Idaho and other areas.

“Wolves are a fully recovered species that is thriving in Idaho. That’s a fact, and it is heartening to see that Secretary Salazar recognizes it,” said Governor Otter, who urged today’s action when he met with Secretary Salazar last month at the National Governors Association conference in Washington, D.C. “We know that well-intentioned but narrowly focused interest groups will challenge this decision, but we in Idaho are determined to continue our policy of responsibly managing wolves for a viable, sustainable population that can co-exist with our ungulate herds, our livestock and our people.”

“Over the last month I have lobbied Secretary Salazar to act quickly on this issue. I’m pleased today to see the Department of Interior do just that, and to see the administration acknowledge that states should be in control,” Congressman Walt Minnick said. “I’ve had extensive discussions on this issue with other members of Congress from the West, including Rep. John Salazar, a fellow Blue Dog Democrat and western Colorado cattle rancher who happens to be the secretary’s brother. They all recognize the need for local collaboration and local control, and were instrumental in helping move the delisting forward.”

Supporting the ‘Helping Families Save Their Homes’ Act

Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick today voted for a measure designed to help struggling families keep their homes.

“Government should not be in the business of rescuing people from their poor choices, whether it’s CEOs who spent lavishly on corporate jets or overeager homeowners who bought more than they could afford,” Minnick said. “However, those poor choices and many others have caused many other Americans to lose their jobs, struggle to pay their bills and face the real likelihood of losing their home, which is one of the root causes of our current economic crisis.”

Minnick has long advocated allowing bankruptcy judges to serve as impartial negotiators between banks and homeowners to help restructure mortgages in a way that prevents foreclosures, keeps people in their homes and thus helps stabilize local housing markets. Doing that requires flexibility so the experts can work with the lender and the borrower to craft a deal that is in the best interests of both. Communities, banks, struggling families, responsible homeowners and taxpayers are not served by the continuing crush of foreclosures, Minnick said. Something needs to be done.

“I applaud the President for a good start in stemming the tide of foreclosures in Idaho and across America,” Minnick said. “Diligent homeowners who make their payments on time will be punished even more if we do not stop the bleed of foreclosures. This bill is not perfect, but is a step in the right direction. And as a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I will watch over implementation of this program like a hawk.”

Minnick pledged that every 30 days he will examine the re-default rates of those who benefited from the program, and will seek adjustments to the eligibility requirements at the first sign that people who do not need this program are taking advantage of the provisions.

“The benchmarks for this bill must be more than just reduced foreclosure rates and the stabilization of the housing market,” Minnick said. “We also need accountability to make sure the help is going to those who truly need it, and to make sure we can wind this program down as our economy rebounds.”

Walt votes against adding billions to U.S. debt

Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick joined his constituents in opposing today a bill to add nearly $1 trillion to what is already a record federal budget deficit.  Minnick voted against the final version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as the stimulus bill. Minnick also voted against the first version of the bill.

“It is important to act and do so decisively, but we must be mindful of the legacy we leave for future generations,” Minnick said. “The consequences of this bill will be painful and possibly harsh for those tasked with the burden of paying for what has been passed today.”

Minnick last week introduced the Strategic Targeted American Recovery and Transition (START) Act of 2009, which focuses on job creation and infrastructure investment. The Act would have appropriated $20 billion for school modernization, $4 billion for job training and workforce investment, $50 billion for shovel-ready highway, bridge and road projects, and $100 billion in tax cuts targeted at those who will spend the money quickly. Minnick worked quietly to gain support from others whose constituents elected them to go to Washington and do things differently. Minnick said he had hoped his bill, with only 20 percent of the total cost but even more direct investment in infrastructure, would be seen as a common starting point upon which all could agree.

“My bill was a high-powered rifle. This bill is a shotgun, and it will add nearly $1 trillion we do not have to a debt already out of control,” Minnick said. “Clearly we needed to act, which is why I proposed my own measure. I agree with the need to put money into the system immediately, help people stay in their homes, get the banking system working again and put Americans back to work. But this bill is too much spending with too little investment in the jobs we need right now.

Nevertheless, Minnick pledged to move forward and help lead Idaho’s economic recovery.
“I voted no. I disagreed with the bill. But what passed today is what will become our nation’s economic policy for the near future, and it is now up to all of us to do the very best we can to make it work,” he said. “I pledge to the administration, to the state officials tasked with overseeing much of what is to come and, most important, to my constituents, that I will do all I can to get Idaho and America working again.”

We need bipartisan problem solving

“Like all Idahoans, I join the president in a commitment to work together. These times are too tough and there is too much to be done to linger over the points where we differ. Instead we must look to the areas where we agree: Our veterans need better care. Our children need more opportunities to create their own successful future. Our grandchildren should not have to worry about the burden of paying off our debts. Citizens young and old are ready to serve their nation and their communities. And all of us, especially those who recently lost their jobs, are ready to roll up their sleeves and go to work. I join the president, my fellow Americans and Idahoans in standing up, ready to go to work.”

Minnick, Simpson, Matheson request hearing for downwinders

Washington, D.C. – In a letter sent to the House Judiciary Committee, Congressmen Mike Simpson (R-ID), Jim Matheson (D-UT) and Walt Minnick (D-ID) requested an oversight hearing on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), its amendments of July 2000, and the possibility of expanding the legislation to cover individuals exposed to radioactive fallout that are not currently covered. The letter was addressed to Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) and Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX).

The United States carried out more than 1000 nuclear weapons tests for more than two decades.  The radioactive debris from these tests entered our nation’s atmosphere and was later deposited, in the form of radioactive fallout, all across our nation as can be seen in the accompanying Iodine-131 map produced by the National Cancer Institute.

In their letter, Congressmen Simpson, Matheson and Minnick addressed the relationship of exposure, poor health and compensation, “For decades, individuals living within the fallout areas have lived with adverse health effects caused by radiation exposure. Today, several claimant categories exist which allow individuals meeting certain criteria to apply for compensation ranging from $50,000 to $75,000 per individual, depending on their category.”

The letter also stressed the importance of treating fallout victims fairly, “Eligibility for compensation, however, is limited to certain counties in just a few states.  These geographical boundaries are, quite frankly, arbitrary boundaries that do not account for the fact that radioactive fallout does not abide by lines on map.  Some of the counties experiencing the largest concentration of fallout in the entire nation are not included in the current RECA program – including areas in our home states of Idaho and Utah.”

In 2000, Congress enhanced the RECA program by adding additional categories of compensable illnesses, but has not received serious review by the Congress in the past seven years. For this reason, Simpson, Matheson and Minnick believe now is an appropriate time for the Judiciary Committee to hold an oversight hearing on this important federal law.