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Senator Richard Burr Update: NAT GAS Act
Story Date: 3/19/2012
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Source: U.S. Senator Richard Burr, 3/16/12
NAT GAS Act
With traditional fuel prices on the rise and approaching $4 per gallon nationwide, the President blocking construction of projects like the Keystone XL pipeline (which I discussed with Bill LuMaye on WPTF on Monday), and dangerous unrest in the Middle East, it makes sense to do what we can to transition our commercial trucks and fleet vehicles to a cheaper, more stable, American-made energy source. That is why I introduced the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act of 2011, legislation that would boost domestic production of vehicles that run on clean natural gas. Below are some key facts about the bill.
1. It would jump-start the purchase of natural gas commercial and fleet vehicles and spur the development of infrastructure to accommodate them
2. It would transition 1/3 of our nation’s oil and gas demand from traditional fuel to clean, abundant natural gas
3. It could create close to 1 million American jobs
4. It would not cost the American taxpayers a dime – it is fully funded by user fees on the people who benefit from it
Natural gas technology already has a foothold in our energy industry, but this proposal will spur increased development to improve our nation's energy independence and help free us from our over-reliance on foreign oil, will put Americans back to work, and will not raise our deficit one single penny. This is the kind of common-sense solution we need to put our nation on the path to energy security. Although the bill failed to meet the 60 vote threshold necessary to pass it as an amendment to the transportation bill this week, I am hopeful that the legislation will move forward soon.
CBO: Obamacare will cost more, cover fewer people than originally expected
On Tuesday, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report on the President’s health care law that contained more bad news for the American people and our economy. According to CBO, this law will cost nearly $2 trillion, up almost a trillion dollars from last year’s estimates. In addition, CBO reported that ObamaCare will cover 2 million fewer than the President promised. Despites its massive price tag and cuts to Medicare, the new law cannot even ensure coverage for all Americans. The law is also forcing more than 30 million new enrollees into Medicaid, a program that is so mismanaged and fraught with abuse that it is unsustainable as it is, even without this influx of new participants. You can read more about the bill on my blog.
March 23 marks the 2 year anniversary of ObamaCare, and with each day and each new report that comes out, it becomes clearer that this law is wrong for America. We must repeal and replace it with meaningful health reform that will actually reduce the cost of health care and provide coverage for all Americans.
Travelling Photography Exhibit in Conjunction with Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration
On March 31, veterans of the Vietnam War will receive the recognition they deserved decades ago at the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration at Charlotte Motor Speedway, an event put on by the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters, the USO, and Charlotte Motor Speedway. In conjunction with this event, there will be mobile exhibits traveling across the state featuring photographer David Kennerly’s Pulitzer prize-winning portfolio of combat photos from Vietnam.
David Kennerly has been shooting on the front lines of history for more than 45 years and has photographed more than 8 wars. At 25, he won the 1972 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography for his work that included photos of the Vietnam, Cambodia, and India-Pakistan Wars, and the Ali-Frazier fight in Madison Square Garden.
I hope that North Carolina veterans, their families, friends, and neighbors will join us in honoring these brave men and women in Charlotte on March 31, but this traveling photography exhibit is another great way to remember those who served in Vietnam. For those who cannot make it to the celebration in Charlotte, this exhibit represents an opportunity to connect with other veterans in our own communities and honor the sacrifices our servicemen and women made in that conflict.
Visit my website to see when the exhibit will be in your area.
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