June '08 Nevada Government—Shelley Berkley Column

Vice President Cheney Admits Claim China is

Drilling off the Coast of Florida is False

When Will House Republicans Admit They Are Wrong Too?

Vice President Dick Cheney’s office admitted that his assertion before the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that China is drilling “60 miles of the coast of Florida” was wrong and that, in fact, there is no Chinese deepwater drilling in that area.

Will the House Republican Leadership follow the Vice President’s lead and admit they were wrong too?

American families and businesses need relief from skyrocketing gas prices – now averaging a record high of $4.07 per gallon across the country. Congressional Republicans should stop spreading proven falsehoods to push their failed “drill and veto” energy policies of the past and instead work with Democrats to pass legislation addressing high energy costs and moving America to energy independence.

The New Direction Congress is committed to bringing real relief to those feeling the pinch from high gas and diesel prices and ensuring the needs of families and businesses are put before the interests of Big Oil. The American people deserve the truth and a cleaner, greener, more energy efficient future.

WHAT HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAID:

Minority Leader John Boehner:

“Right at this moment, some 60 miles or less off the coast of Key West, Florida, China has the green light to drill for oil in order to lower energy costs in that country... Do congressional Democrats really trust the Chinese that much more than Americans?” [6/11/08]

Minority Whip Roy Blunt:

“Even China recognizes that oil and natural gas is readily available off our shores; thanks to Fidel Castro, they've been given a permit to drill for oil 45 miles from the Florida Keys. U.S. energy producers can't go there, and that's because our Congress won't let them.” [6/11/08]

Rep. George Radanovich (R-California):

“Florida, for example, has objected to U.S. oil exploration off its coast. But China, thanks to a lease issued by Cuba, is drilling for oil just 50 miles off Florida's coast. America’s offshore drilling policy amounts to a government handout of U.S. natural resources to foreign countries in the name of environmental protection.” [6/10/08]

THE FACTS:

From the Congressional Research Service:

“While there has been some concern about China’s potential involvement in offshore deepwater oil projects, to date its involvement in Cuba’s oil sector has been focused on onshore oil extraction in Pinar del Rio province through its state-run China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation. (Sinopec)” [CRS, 2/29/08]

From the Miami Herald:

“China is not drilling in Cuba's Gulf of Mexico waters, period…,” said Jorge Piñon, an energy expert at the University of Miami's Center for Hemispheric Policy…

“Piñon, who supports oil and gas exploration, said he met with several congressional offices Wednesday about the China-Cuba connection. He said he told them: ‘If you guys want to use this as a scare tactic to lift the moratorium on drilling off the west coast of Florida, at least be factual, be correct.’ They didn't do their homework.” [6/12/08]

Republicans Use Scare Tactics to Promote Failed “Drill & Veto” Energy Policies of the Past

GOP Claims China is Drilling for Oil Off Florida’s Coast Proven False

American families and businesses are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing gas prices – now averaging a record high of $4.06 per gallon across the country. Instead of working with Democrats to pass legislation addressing high energy costs and moving America to energy independence, Congressional Republicans are spreading scare tactics and proven falsehoods to push their failed “drill and veto” energy policies of the past.

Republican leaders – including Vice President Cheney – have recently claimed that China is drilling for oil off the coast of Cuba “60 miles off the coast of Florida.” But the facts show China does not have a deepwater drilling contract in Cuba.

From the Congressional Research Service:

From today’s Miami Herald:

“China is not drilling in Cuba's Gulf of Mexico waters, period…,” said Jorge Piñon, an energy expert at the University of Miami's Center for Hemispheric Policy…

“Piñon, who supports oil and gas exploration, said he met with several congressional offices Wednesday about the China-Cuba connection. He said he told them: ‘If you guys want to use this as a scare tactic to lift the moratorium on drilling off the west coast of Florida, at least be factual, be correct.’ They didn't do their homework.” [6/12/08]

REPUBLICAN SCARE QUOTES:

Vice President Dick Cheney

“[O]il is being drilled right now 60 miles off the coast of Florida. We're not doing it. The Chinese are in cooperation with the Cuban government.” [6/12/08]

Minority Leader John Boehner:

Minority Whip Roy Blunt:

Rep. George Radanovich (R-California):

Berkley Again Votes to Extend Unemployment Benefits House Passes Package Over GOP Opposition

13 Weeks Additional Assistance for Jobless Nevadans; No Cost to State

For the second time in as many days, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley voted to extend unemployment benefits an additional 13 weeks for qualified Nevadans who are out of work. The bill, which was narrowly defeated yesterday, passed the House this afternoon on a vote of 274-137.

“While it may have taken two tries, we passed this 13 week unemployment extension package. I urge President Bush and Senate Republicans not to block this vital assistance for Americans who are out of work and in search of jobs,” said Berkley.

The legislation approved by the House would benefit 3.8 million unemployed Americans -- providing up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits.

“Nevada has been hit by the economic slowdown being felt across the U.S. and we are seeing higher unemployment rates as a result,” said Berkley. “This federally funded extension will provide 13 additional weeks of compensation for qualified individuals who are still in search of employment. Once in place, our package will help thousands of Nevadans cover their living expenses until they can return to work,” said Berkley.

As a member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Berkley worked to craft The Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act (H.R. 5749) and is a cosponsor of the legislation.

“Nevada’s unemployment rate is higher than the national average and more families in Las Vegas are in need of this assistance to pay the rent and keep food on the table. I have no doubt that Las Vegas will weather this storm, but in the meantime, more of our friends and neighbors are in need of this assistance than ever before. Working together, Congress can get these benefits into the hands of southern Nevada families in need of this help,” said Berkley.

The package is entirely funded through federal resources and does not require any state funding.

“Because this is a federally funded extension of unemployment benefits, there will be no cost to Nevada state government. This is especially important given our record state budget shortfalls and the painful cuts in important services that are being proposed as a result,” said Berkley.

Without this legislation, a projected 3 to 3.5 million Americans will exhaust their unemployment benefits without finding work.

Berkley Working To Protect Nevadans From

Alternative Minimum Tax

Ways and Means Committee to Vote This Week on Package to Eliminate AMT Liability

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley will use her power as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee to push this week for passage of a package that would protect a majority of Nevadans from being hit with the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Legislation blocking AMT liability for the current tax year will be up for a vote before the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday of this week.

“Last year we successfully protected more than 115,000 taxpayers in Nevada from the AMT, but we need to act once again to protect these families from being hit with this liability,” said Berkley. “The AMT was never meant to target working families and this package will prevent middle class households in Nevada and across the nation from being hit with this added tax liability.”

Originally designed to prevent extremely wealthy individuals from avoiding the payment of any taxes, the AMT over time has grown to include millions of middle class families. As a Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Berkley helped to craft a legislative package that prevented more than 23 million Americans from being hit with the AMT. The package blocked AMT liability for single taxpayers earning as little as $44,000 per year in adjusted gross income and for joint filers earning $66,000 in adjusted gross income annually.