Bachmann and Kline Put Corporate Special Interests First, Minnesotans Last
12/11/2007
Minnesota’s House Democrats Unanimously Help Pass Historic Energy Bill; Bachmann, Kline Side with Big Oil, Corporate Interests AgainSt. Paul, MN (December 7, 2007) As the House of Representatives passed historic energy legislation yesterday with support from all Minnesota DFLers and Republican Representative Jim Ramstad, the Minnesota DFL Party said that Representatives Michele Bachmann’s and John Kline’s opposition to the bill is just one more example of their putting corporate special interests first, well ahead of Minnesotans.
“Michele Bachmann and John Kline have done it again: they’ve put Big Oil and corporate special interests ahead of the people that they’re supposed to be standing up for,” said Brian Melendez, Minnesota DFL Chair.
“Bachmann’s and Kline’s behavior is unacceptable, but it’s straight out of the Republican playbook,” continued Melendez. “To put corporate special interests first, they’ll stand in the way of anything — including healthcare for children, making college more affordable for middle-class families, and increasing our energy independence,” Melendez concluded.
Bachmann and Kline: Corporate Special Interests First, Minnesotans Last
Bachmann, Kline Vote Against Historic Energy Legislation. Representatives Michele Bachmann and John Kline voted against H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007. All Minnesota Democrats, and Republican Representative Jim Ramstad, voted for the bill. [Vote #1140, 12/6/07]
Bill Would Save Energy, Increase Fuel Efficiency, Improve Environment, Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil. Among other measures, H.R. 6 would: increase fuel-efficiency standards by 40%, for first time since 1975, saving 1.1 million barrels of oil per day by 2020; require 15% of utility-generated energy to be renewable; impose higher energy-efficiency standards on appliances and light bulbs; and impose a renewable-fuels standard. Its $21 billion cost is paid for in large measure by scaling back $13 billion in tax benefits for five largest oil companies. [Washington Post, 12/6/07; New York Times, 12/7/07]
Bill Has Wide Business, Labor, Environmental Support; Bush Threatens Veto. H.R. 6 is supported by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the United Auto Workers, the Sierra Club and the Union of Concerned Scientists, among others. [Sierra Club website, accessed 12/7/07; New York Times, 12/7/07]
Bachmann, Kline Voted Four Times This Year Against Health Care for America’s Children. Bachmann and Kline voted four times this year against versions of legislation that would renew the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The legislation would extend health coverage to over four million additional people, in addition to the 6.6 million already enrolled. One of the four votes included a vote to uphold President Bush’s veto. [Vote #1009, 10/25/07; Vote #982, 10/18/07; Vote # 906, 9/25/07; Vote #787, 8/1/07; Washington Post, 10/3/07, 10/25/07].
Bachmann, Kline Voted Twice This Year Against Bipartisan College Cost Reduction and Access Act. Bachmann and Kline voted twice this year against the largest increase in college aid since the G. I. Bill. Every other Minnesota delegation member voted for the legislation. [Roll Call #864, 9/7/07; Roll Call #613, 7/11/07]