Jan 31, 2006- Kaptur Statement on President Bush's State of the Union Address

"Americaprospers when all of her people prosper, and Americathrives when the President offers real leadership for the most difficultchallenges we face. With that as our measure President Bush's remarkstonight fell far from the mark. We need an Americathat is job rich, debt free, energy independent, and has its trade accounts onan equal level. Yet words alone cannot fix what the republic requires.

"In his State of the Union address tonight, he discussed reducing thecountry's dependence on foreign oil. Sadly, he is at least 6 years late,with his recent special interest energy bill just a throwback to the lastcentury when big oil dominated. His budgets have prevented our nationfrom moving into a new energy age. For hard hit consumers, he has offerednothing but bigger profits for the oil giants, like Exxon Mobil that justracked up the largest profits in U.S.history today. Indeed their $36.13 billion in profits in just one year islarger than the entire budget of the U.S. Energy Department at $23.4 billion.

"During the Bush Administration, big oil companies and gas companies notonly have reaped record profits but received billions in new tax subsidies.Yet our consumers and farmers are struggling to get by. Homeheating costs are 25 percent higher this winter and the average price for agallon of gas has increased 89 cents since President Bush took office.So, the President's proposals tonight appear to be more of the same emptypromises we've heard before.

"Over the years this President has consistently proposed cutting alternativefuels programs that could replace our reliance on imported petroleum. Last year he proposed cutting $64.5 million in the Department of Agriculture'salready limited budget for biofuels. Two years ago he proposed cuttingthese programs $72 million. Three years ago he proposed cutting $70million.

"It's far past time for a President of the United States to power a newfuture for our nation by putting our revenues in the pockets of local farmersand fuel processors, not in the hands of foreign oil regimes that he himselfcalls "unstable".We must not wait any longer to help futuregenerations when we have the ability today to build a new domestic renewableenergy industry that will create thousands of jobs and provide an economicopportunity for our farmers, as well as a new product for our transportindustry. The proof that President Bush is serious this time will be ifalternative fuels are placed centerfold in the budget he will release nextweek.

"Biodiesel and other alternative fuels require a national commitment, notjust in word but in deed. America needs an energypolicy that invests in the Midwest, not the Middle East."