Editorials
Defending Idaho Jobs
To find a model of ingenuity and resilience, visit an Idaho sawmill. Idaho's forest products industry, interwoven into the region's history and central to the development of the area, has experienced significant challenges in recent years with the downturn in the housing market and economy, increased transportation and energy costs, raw material availability and unfair trade practices. Facing these tests, Idaho sawmills and forest products workers have increased efficiency and innovation. Advanc… Continue Reading
November 01, 2010
Veterans History Project
Gerald "Jerry" Sorensen, of Pocatello, Idaho, was a 24-year-old U.S. Air Force gunner who was aboard a B-17 brought down by German fire in Nazi-occupied Belgium during World War II. Jerry Sorensen survived the downing, was hidden by the Abeels family of Ganshoren, near Brussels, and joined the Belgian resistance fighting against the Germans. In 1944, Belgium was liberated, and Jerry was killed by German soldiers leaving Belgium. The Abeels' also lost their oldest son, Roger Abeels, who died with… Continue Reading
October 25, 2010
Why Vote?
At times, people ask, "Why vote? My one little vote does not really make a difference." The question is often raised by those frustrated with the course of our government. But, voting is central to effecting change. It is also essential to vote because each vote is meaningful, voting is a right we cannot take for granted and Americans continue to make sacrifices to protect our freedoms, including the right to vote. For whatever reasons a person votes in the coming elections on Tuesday, November … Continue Reading
October 18, 2010
Countering Abuse With Support
We all need love and support. We are the same that way. Unfortunately, for far too many, love and support have been replaced with mistreatment and abuse. However, we can work together to counter this abuse and prevent domestic violence from harming more lives by taking action to increase community support and awareness, providing resources for victims, educating children early about domestic violence and promoting a culture that does not overlook signs of abuse. Awareness is critical to comb… Continue Reading
October 11, 2010
Failing At Its Business
It is a basic concept - stay until the work is complete. In fact, Congress has a responsibility to establish the federal budget every year, but yet again failed to do so and did not complete its work. Worse, before departing, Congress passed a stopgap measure extending recent double-digit increases in funding for federal agencies. I opposed this measure because such increases are irresponsible, and Congress needs to stay and focus on the needs of American families. Out of control federal spe… Continue Reading
October 04, 2010
Four Thousand Pages Of Broken Promises
In the six months since enactment of health care reform, the 2,733-page Senate health care bill has ballooned into more than 4,000 pages of regulations and the creation of at least 159 new boards and programs. The unfortunate outcome of this overwhelming implementation is numerous broken promises. Throughout the health care debate, I, along with many of my colleagues, stated repeatedly that this bill would result in cuts to Medicare, higher taxes and increased health care costs and insurance pre… Continue Reading
September 27, 2010
Let Loose U.S. Innovation
Creative Idaho businesses are producing innovative products meeting the needs of consumers around the world. PakSense manufactures and exports to sixty countries smart labels used to determine the quality and safety of products, including food and pharmaceuticals, during shipping. Exports are twenty-five percent of PakSense's sales. Another Idaho company, Meyer Industries, produces a machine to humanely and environmentally-eliminate burrowing pests. Exports account for nearly half of the company… Continue Reading
September 20, 2010
Idahoans' Steadfast Service
President Obama recently announced the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq. However, the local contribution to the war effort is not over. As the Idaho National Guard's 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team deploys to Iraq, we cannot lose sight of the continued sacrifice of the men and women in military service, their families and the local employers who await their safe return. Idaho ranks twelfth among states with the highest National Guard membership based on percentages of the states' popu… Continue Reading
September 13, 2010
Federal Powers Intended To Be 'Few And Defined'
James Madison wrote, "The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the state governments are numerous and indefinite." Unfortunately, state sovereignty, private industry and individual freedoms have been eroded by the unhealthy notion that the federal government knows best. We must stem this tide and return to a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution if we are to restore the proper balance of power and prese… Continue Reading
September 06, 2010
A Foundation For Quality Education
As the son of a teacher, the importance of a quality education was ingrained in me. Sound education is elemental to the strength of our nation. State and local control in matters of education, ensuring students have access to quality nutrition to fuel their minds and proper rural school resources are critical to ensuring that students getting back to school have the right foundation for success. Students, parents, teachers and state and local public school officials best understand how to im… Continue Reading
August 30, 2010
Lifting The Weight Off Idaho Commerce
Each time we shop, every time we purchase something, chances are pretty good a truck played a role in getting those goods to that retailer. Trucks play a vital role in our country's commerce, and getting goods from source to consumer safely and cost-effectively is an important consideration. That's why I joined with Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin) to introduce the bipartisan Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (SETA), S.3705, which provides a voluntary opt-in progr… Continue Reading
August 23, 2010
Fairs: Time To Celebrate Hard Work
The county, regional and state fairs that take place throughout the summer are far more than cotton candy, carnival rides, funnel cakes, musical acts and petting zoos. Fairs provide time to take a break, unwind and connect with neighbors. Most of all, fairs are a time to celebrate productivity. The fun of fairs belies their value. Fairs are productive for the economy. The International Association of Fairs estimates a fair the size of the Eastern Idaho State Fair generates $6 million for the … Continue Reading
August 16, 2010
The 1910 Fire: Learning From Idaho's Past
August 20, 2010, marks the 100-year anniversary of the 1910 Fire that resulted in nearly 100 lost lives, hundreds of injuries, approximately three million burned acres and the destruction of towns and homes in Idaho. As we honor the heroism of the response to the 1910 Fire, it is a reminder that we must actively manage our national lands, provide resources to our local communities and land managers to respond when lives and property are threatened, take responsibility for reducing fire risk at … Continue Reading
August 09, 2010
MONUMENTS TO TOP-DOWN THINKING
For many years, every President has had authority to ride roughshod over the public when creating national monuments. Under current law, a "top-down" executive order can be issued to create a national monument, with no opportunity for public input or Congressional or state oversight. This has resulted in increased distrust from those most connected to the area under designation, and it has lingering impacts in communities throughout the country. The truth is that the provision in current law whi… Continue Reading
July 26, 2010
DONALD BERWICK: BEHIND SLAMMED DOORS
Closed door politics was the norm throughout the health care reform debate, and it seems that the Administration continued that practice with its latest move-the recess appointment of Dr. Donald Berwick to serve as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS is a vast federal agency that administers care to 100 million seniors, children, and low-income families, with an annual budget of over $800 billion a year-a budget larger than the Pentagon's. With the new… Continue Reading
July 20, 2010
THE U.S. SUPREME COURT GETS IT RIGHT AGAIN, AND I COULD NOT AGREE MORE
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." Does that quote by Thomas Jefferson leave any doubt of what our Founding Fathers intended in the 2nd Amendment? No, it is clear to me that it does not. Thomas Jefferson was an avid supporter of James Madison's first ten amendments to our Constitution (the Bill of Rights.) Clearly, he understood Madison's intent in the 2nd Amendment, which specifically protects "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms." On June 28, the United States … Continue Reading
July 19, 2010
YUCCA MOUNTAIN: THE NUCLEAR WASTE SOLUTION
Since coming to Congress, I have strongly advocated for nuclear power to be a key component of our national energy strategy. In recent years, efforts to expand our nuclear energy portfolio have gained momentum, which adds urgency to the question of what to do with used nuclear fuel and defense high-level waste. In 1982, Congress passed the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA), which mandated the establishment of a permanent, high-level nuclear waste repository. After five years of research and stu… Continue Reading
July 05, 2010
HARD TIMES
Idaho families certainly face hard times today. The unemployment rate is well above 10% in many Idaho counties. Our federal budget deficit is approaching the point where it will eclipse our domestic economic output. But Congress just keeps running up the federal deficit-even with some issues that seem well-intentioned, but that will burden future generations with incalculable debt. It is hard to take a big picture view of federal spending, particularly when something as personal as unemploym… Continue Reading
June 29, 2010
We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident
In a few days, we will celebrate the "birthday of the United States of America"-July 4th. This marks the day in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress. While there are numerous phrases from the Declaration that are instantly recognizable, i.e. "When in the course of human events …", "… we hold these truths be self-evident, that all men are created equal …", "… deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed …", it is notable that we don't of… Continue Reading
June 16, 2010
SMALL BUSINESS: THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as its 2009 Mentor of the Year for its "commitment to mentoring small business." INL was given this honor for its work with small businesses through its Mentor-Protégé Program, which seeks to enhance "the capabilities of small businesses to perform contracts and subcontracts for INL, other DOE Laboratories and federal agencies." There is a very good reason why INL and DOE seek to support and mentor small… Continue Reading
