Capitol Monitor ....
Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Fourth District of Virginia 

June 23, 2006

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In this Issue

1. Fuel for the Future

2. Women's Health Checklist

 

 

:: Fuel for the Future ::


A man had two daughters, one married to a gardener, and the other to a brick maker. After a time he went to the daughter who had married the gardener and inquired how she was, and she said to her father, “All things are well with me, and I have only one wish, that there may be a heavy fall of rain, in order that the plants may be well watered.” Not long after, he went to the daughter who had married the brick maker, and likewise inquired of her how she fared; she replied, “I want for nothing, and have only one wish, that the dry weather may continue, and the sun shine hot and bright, so that the bricks might be dried.” He said to her, “If your sister wishes for rain, and you for dry weather, with which of the two am I to join my wishes?”

What a difficult situation for a father to be in! If you’re a dad, you know just what a jam that father was in. Neither daughter was wrong, yet their desires and needs were contradictory. Likewise, as a nation we find ourselves in a sticky situation when dealing with energy demands.

We want SUVs to haul children, luggage, and groceries around throughout our busy lives. We want environmental policies that protect the air, the water, and the earth, while at the same time wanting cheap gasoline to power our economy. We want those on a budget to not have to choose between gas and other necessities, and we want our business to be free of burdensome environmental regulations. We want low gas taxes and state-of-the-art roads to combat traffic congestion. We want inexpensive alternative fuels and a national petroleum reserve waiting in the wings in case of disaster. And we want our resources to fit our lifestyles, not our lifestyles to fit our resources.

Now, that’s all okay. We can want all of these things. And like the two daughters, none of these desires are wrong, but some may be contradictory. So how do we come to terms with these desires?

Here’s one thing we can all agree upon: if there was an easy solution, by definition, the problem would not have been hard. Sometimes I like to take a step back from a tense situation and assess all the solutions being tossed out. In a matter of a week, Capitol Hill was buzzing with “easy solutions” to combat gas prices – offer $100 rebates to taxpayers, temporarily repeal environmental regulations, encourage people to carpool, put more air in your tires to increase fuel efficiency. Each of these answers had one thing in common; they were “quick fixes” to a complex dilemma – and not even very good “quick fixes” at that!

Here’s the bottom line: there is no silver bullet when it comes to energy prices. The common-sense American understands that we cannot drill our way out of the problem, we cannot conserve our way out of the problem, and we cannot alter our lifestyles enough to fix the problem. But when we combine increased production with conservation and alternative energy sources, we can aim a powerful punch at gas prices. Here’s how we do it:

Take Quantifiable Steps Towards More Production and Refinery Capacity – We must increase our internal supply of oil. The safest and quickest way this can be accomplished is by authorizing drilling in ANWR and by allowing the construction of new refineries.

Decrease Oil Dependency By Employing Current Alternative Fuel Technology & Research – Alternative fuels are our most promising opportunity to decrease oil dependency. I have supported the establishment of renewable fuel standards so that gasoline sold in the U.S. must contain an increased amount of renewable fuel such as ethanol or biodiesel. I have also supported research and development programs to bring safe, fuel-efficient vehicles to consumers. Additionally, I have cosponsored a bill to reduce tariffs on much-needed ethanol imports to ease ethanol supply issues that are driving up gas prices.

The mix of federal and state standards, along with local refinery decisions, has resulted in adjacent or nearby areas that may require boutique fuels or gasoline with significantly different properties. As a result of having a number of boutique fuels across the country, a disruption of fuel supply to any given area can be severe and cause consumers to pay higher prices. Therefore, I support shrinking the number of boutique fuels from 18 to 6, so there will be fewer variations of these fuels from region to region. This will allow suppliers to be more readily able to meet demand, while also allowing localities to meet environmental standards.

Another viable option to explore is the use of synfuels, or synthetic fuels, made from coal or natural gas instead of oil. Synthetic fuels are created by heating coal into gas and then distilling it into a synthetic form of crude oil, which can be refined to create a liquid fuel. Congress has been exploring this option since the 1940s, and now may be the time to move toward synthetic fuels. With the United States having the largest deposits of coal in the world, the production and utilization of synthetic fuels would significantly reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil.

Use Tax Incentives to Encourage Creative Long-term Solutions – Tax breaks can be highly effective when they encourage creativity and growth towards energy solutions. I support extending tax incentives to encourage domestic energy production and energy efficiency, as well as consumer tax credit incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles, and a tax deduction for "clean-fuel vehicles," including alternative fuel vehicles and hybrid vehicles.

The summer months will pass us and while gas prices will fall as they have cyclically done for years, the underlying problem will continue to be acerbated unless we substitute “quick fixes” with long-term plans. As nations such as China and India grow with increasing consumer demand and manufacturing gusto, so too will the demand on the world’s already finite energy sources. Soon, other growing nations will, too, join the line of nations hungrily clamoring for energy sources. This is the future and no $100 rebate will put a dent in changing our destiny.

Like the father torn between the desires of the two daughters he loves, we only have one choice. We take the hands of those whose interests are counter to ours and we come to the table to work out some solutions. In doing so, we make the choice to move the pile forward together.

:: Women's Health Checklist ::

Between families, careers, church and other community events, the lives of women in our society are becoming increasingly busy. In the midst of the hustle and bustle women are taking care of everyone else’s needs and overlooking their own health.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality provides helpful information on how women can stay healthy.

Top health experts from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggest that when you go for your next checkup, talk to your doctor or nurse about how you can stay healthy no matter what your age, and take this checklist with you.

Log on to Women: Stay Healthy at Any Age – Checklist for Your Next Checkup to learn tips like these listed below:

Screening Tests: What You Need and When

-         Mammograms: Have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years starting at age 40.

-         Pap Smears: Have a Pap smear every 1 to 3 years if you have been sexually active or are older than 21.

-         Cholesterol Checks: Have your cholesterol checked regularly starting at age 45. If you smoke, have diabetes, or if heart disease runs in your family, start having your cholesterol checked at age 20.

-         Blood Pressure: Have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years.

-         Colorectal Cancer Tests: Have a test for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you.

-         Diabetes Tests: Have a test to screen for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

-         Depression: If you've felt "down," sad, or hopeless, and have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things for 2 weeks straight, talk to your doctor about whether he or she can screen you for depression.

-         Osteoporosis Tests: Have a bone density test at age 65 to screen for osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). If you are between the ages of 60 and 64 and weigh 154 lbs. or less, talk to your doctor about whether you should be tested.

For more information on staying healthy please visit the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

IN YOUR TOWN ....

June 24, 2006

 

Forbes, Sallie Mae Fund Announce

Free “Paying for College” Workshop in Chesapeake

Paying for College, a free workshop for high school students and their parents on planning and paying for college presented by The Sallie Mae Fund, in partnership with the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

For more information please Click Here.

Summer Travel ....

Making plans for travel this summer?

 The links below will provide you with valuable information to make your trip a success.

Applying for a U.S. Passport

Travel Tips and Advisories

ON THE HILL ....

Current Floor Proceedings

Bills Coming Up This Week

Monthly Whip Calendar

OFFICE LOCATIONS ....

307 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202.225.6365

505 Independence Pkwy, Suite 104
Chesapeake, VA 23320
757.382.0080

2903 Boulevard, Suite B
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
804.526.4969

425 H. South Main Street
Emporia, VA 23847
434.634.5575

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