Democrats' Climate Push May Squeeze GOP Moderates on Science Panel
Kucinich gave the following speech in Congress on November 3, 2005:
Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit this article from InsideEPA to the Congressional Record.
"A novel effort by 150 House Democrats to require that the White House turn over documents showing what it knows about climate change effects on U.S. coastal regions may force key Republican moderates to choose party loyalty over their environmental records, or risk leaving themselves open to attacks from conservative opponents in upcoming primaries, sources say.
"Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has initiated a rare House procedure with the backing of 150 of his Democratic colleagues that seeks information from the executive branch on how climate change has affected U.S. coastal regions. If H.R. 515, a 'resolution of inquiry,' (ROI) passes with the support of key GOP moderates on the House Science Committee and the full House, it would require the president within 14 days to turn over documents related to climate change impacts on coastal areas. Relevant documents are available on InsideEPA.com.
"Kucinich's resolution does not specifically mention hurricanes, but congressional staffers familiar with the effort say Congress is growing more concerned that climate change may have increased hurricane severity in light of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 'This has been a brutal hurricane season and many think climate change will be the defining problem of our generation. We want to know what [President Bush] knew,' according to one staffer. The effort comes as Republican environment committee senators are quashing suggestions that increased sea surface temperatures could be linked to the recent spike in hurricane activity.
"Observers say the ROI will present House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) with a critical choice between siding with their party in deflecting attention from the president's climate policies and their environmental records, which have won them praise and endorsements from environmental groups. Their decisions on the matter may prove crucial during their 2006 primaries, where at least one is expected to face a tough fight against a more conservative GOP candidate.
"Although the ROI measure has no Republican co-sponsors, Boehlert has a track record of backing efforts to address climate change that is adding to Democrats' optimism that the measure may make it to the House floor for a vote, sources say. 'Boehlert's support [for previous efforts to allow more open scientific debate on climate change] makes us hopeful,' according to one source.
"For instance, Boehlert last summer sharply criticized efforts by House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) to investigate the findings and funding sources of three prominent climate scientists. In a July 14 letter, Boehlert characterized Barton's requests as 'pernicious' and 'chilling.' Boehlert said, 'The only conceivable explanation for the investigation is to attempt to intimidate a prominent scientist and to have Congress put its thumbs on the scales of a scientific debate.'
"But observers say the ROI may pose a thorny problem for the representative because he has recently squared off against competitive primary opponents and is anticipating another close race against a conservative in 2006. In seeking a thirteenth term, Boehlert faces conservative GOP primary challenger Bradford Jones, a former Seneca, NY, mayor who has already launched an election bid. Boehlert narrowly won a primary challenge against conservative Republican David Walruth in 2002 and faced him again in the 2004 primary. Walruth was backed by a number of conservative organizations, including the anti-tax group Club for Growth.
"A spokesman for Boehlert did not return calls seeking comment.
"And while many environmentalists praise Gilchrest's voting record, they are blasting his recent last-minute change of position on House refinery legislation. The legislation, supporters said, would speed production of refined oil and gasoline by aiding the country's oil refineries in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Republican leadership cajoled members to support the measure in the face of near-unanimous Democratic opposition. Gilchrest's decision to switch his vote and side with most of his GOP colleagues in the end proved crucial as the bill passed 212-210.
"Ehlers recently broke party ranks by opposing a House-passed overhaul of the 1973 Endangered Species Act. The overhaul would give property owners new rights and reduce the Federal role in protecting habitats. It passed late last month by a vote of 229 to 193, although Ehlers joined Michigan's Democratic delegation in voting against the measure.
"Even if the ROI fails to gather GOP support, the tool may still allow House Democrats to gather executive branch information on climate change, according to congressional researchers.
"A 2003 Congressional Research Service report on the procedure finds that ROIs are 'often much more effective in obtaining information from the executive branch than one would expect from committee and floor action. Administrations have often released a substantial amount of information, leading the committee of jurisdiction to conclude that the dispute is moot and it is therefore appropriate to report the resolution adversely and table it on the floor.' Relevant documents are available on InsideEPA.com."
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