Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka released the following statement today after watching President George W. Bush's State of the Union Address:
It is unfortunate that President Bush has once again fallen short in his responsibility to lead this great nation of ours into a future of prosperity for all - one that continues our leadership in researching and developing alternative energy, preserving our natural resources, and ensuring access to affordable health care and education. Once again, the President's speech was full of misinformation. I was especially taken aback when he told the American people that must balance the budget, while he has single-handedly turned our economy from surplus to massive deficit. He completely ignores the billions of taxpayer dollars he's squandering in Iraq using emergency funding requests outside of the budget, at the expense of our children and grandchildren.
I am glad that the President mentioned veterans in his speech this year. He did not last year. I am also glad he told the American people that funding for veterans programs has increased dramatically. Unfortunately, he didn't tell them that his budget proposals have repeatedly cut funding for veterans, and that the only reason spending on veterans programs has increased is because Congress raised the level of spending. This is the kind of misinformation that the President has fed the American people time and time again. With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Administration has created a new generation of veterans, yet President Bush continues to treat them as an afterthought. This is morally unacceptable. Caring for our veterans must be considered a cost of waging war.
I am glad that seven years into his Presidency, Mr. Bush has finally acknowledged the reality of global warming. I hope he follows these words with action. The future health, economic, public safety and environmental security of Hawaii and the nation demands energy independence. As stewards of our planet, immediate action is needed to make significant reductions in oil imports and greenhouse gas emissions. We must make substantial investments in renewable energy and research and development into technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These investments will not only mitigate threats to the environment, public safety, and economic development, but will also boost economic activity and strengthen employment opportunities in the science and technology sector. I remain committed to combating the threats of global warming and working to improve the health of our planet and quality of life for all Americans.
While I am pleased that the President worked with House leadership on a stimulus package designed to provide a boost to our nation's economy, we must also take immediate action to help those hit hardest in our community by extending unemployment benefits, providing nutrition assistance and food stamps, and offering fiscal relief to states and local communities. Tonight, instead of proposing help for those struggling to feed and house their families, President Bush called for making his tax cuts for wealthy Americans permanent. In the years since Bush took office, these cuts have not produced the long term financial stability that he promised, while hardworking middle-class families are struggling to make ends meet. This country needs a fair and progressive tax system, not a system that favors the wealthy at the expense of ordinary families. I am a strong advocate of fiscal responsibility and I believe it is reckless to support tax cut extensions that are not offset. It is very important that we work to prevent the deficit and the debt from growing and establish the fiscal framework within which we can begin to sensibly and responsibly assess our program needs and spending priorities.
President Bush called on Congress to open markets for American workers and entrepreneurs by approving free trade agreements. This is short sighted. I have consistently opposed trade agreements negotiated by this Administration because they have failed to include binding and enforceable labor and environmental protection provisions. We must have fair trade agreements that do not encourage the exploitation of workers and the pollution of the environment.
I am also disappointed that President Bush has indicated that he will issue an Executive Order directing federal agencies to ignore any future earmarks set out by Congress. He has forgotten that his Administration has a proven record of wasting billions of tax dollars mismanaging federal contracts and programs. While I support increased transparency of earmarks, it is important to remember that earmarks are Congress's way of ensuring that the federal government addresses the needs of Hawaii and every other state. Earmarks allow Congress to direct funds to specific needs such as affordable housing, education and healthcare. Without earmarks, this Administration would have greater power to direct spending. Congress must ensure the Administration's effort to address earmarks are not a cover for redirecting money away from the needs of Hawaii and other states to this Administration's wasteful spending priorities.
President Bush continues to demand that Congress allow him to control spending without any accountability. He is calling on Congress to provide funding for the war in Iraq without defining benchmarks for our brave men and women in the Armed Forces and the Iraqi government. I have consistently and vocally advocated for legislation that would require the President to develop and implement a comprehensive plan that will bring our troops home. It is time to put the future of Iraq in the hands of the Iraqi people and the elected leaders. We cannot continue indefinitely to squander our nation's resources and lives of soldiers.
President Bush's demand for unlimited spying with no accountability is absolutely unacceptable and an invitation for abuse, the very reason the original FISA law was created. It is important that our intelligence professionals are given the tools they need to make America more secure while protecting the privacy and civil liberties of Americans.
-30-
