Jul 24, 2012
Congressman Benishek Already Voted to Put Great Lakes & Northern Michigan Jobs at Risk
What’s the latest threat to the Great Lakes? According to the Petosky News Review, it’s Congressman Dan Benishek and Washington Republicans’ out of touch agenda that makes it harder to clean up toxins in the Great Lakes and curb the spread of invasive species like Asian carp. Congressman Benishek already voted with the Tea Party to slash funding for Great Lakes restoration fund while voting to protect billions in tax breaks to Big Oil and Washington special interests. It is estimated that the Great Lakes support 525,886 Michigan jobs.
“For Northern Michigan families, the Great Lakes are a source of pride and a precious natural and economic resource, but Congressman Dan Benishek’s out of touch agenda in Washington slashes critical protections that put the Great Lakes at risk,” said Haley Morris. “Congressman Dan Benishek already voted in Washington to make it harder to control Asian carp and leave the Lakes exposed to contaminates. It’s clear Congressman Benishek cares more about protecting billions in tax breaks for Big Oil and Washington special interests than about protecting the Great Lakes and Northern Michigan jobs.”
Background
Benishek Voted to Slash Funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. In 2011, Benishek voted for a continuing resolution to finish fiscal year 2011. The bill cut more than half of the funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, despite promises to protect the Lakes. Crain’s Chicago Business attributed this vote in part to “pressure” from Tea Party activists. [HR 1, Vote #147, 2/19/11; Crain’s Chicago Business, 3/28/11]
Benishek Voted Against Requiring EPA to Control Great Lakes Pollution. In 2011, Benishek voted against requiring the EPA to “plan and implement a strategy, using existing authority, to control air pollution that could affect the Great Lakes.” [HR 2401, Vote #740, 9/23/11; CQ Floor Votes, 9/23/11]
Benishek Voted to Allow Drilling in the Great Lakes. On February 16, 2012, Benishek voted against a measure that would have prevented oil and gas exploration in the Great Lakes and the Florida Everglades. [HR 3408, Vote #70, 2/16/12; CQ Floor Votes, 2/16/12]
Benishek Voted to Undermine the Clean Water Act. In 2011, Benishek voted for a bill which undermined the Clean Water Act by removing the EPA’s ability to enforce it. The bill banned the EPA from issuing new or revising water-quality standards if a state standard had already been approved by the agency without the state’s consent. The EPA would also be banned from removing its approval of a state program or limiting federal funds to that program if it disagreed with the way the regulation was implemented, or if the EPA disagreed with the state’s water quality standard. This effectively removed the EPA’s authority to supervise and regulate the states. [HR 2018, Vote #573, 7/13/11; CQ Floor Votes, 7/13/11; New York Times Editorial, 7/15/11]
30 Million People Depend on the Great Lakes. “More than 30 million people depend on the Great Lakes for their drinking water, and millions more benefit from the commerce and business that depends on the waters of the Great Lakes.” [Healthy Lakes, Accessed 2/15/12]
1.5 Million Jobs from the Great Lakes. “The Great Lakes provide 1.5 million jobs in the U.S., and $62 billion in wages every year, according to a study by Michigan Sea Grant at the University of Michigan. The study said Michigan has the most jobs related to the Great Lakes, with 525,886. [The Grand Rapids Press, 2/24/11]
Benishek Voted for the House Republican Budget that Continued Big Oil Companies Special Tax Breaks. On April 15, 2011, House Republicans voted for the FY12 Republican budget, which secured no deficit-reduction contribution at all from closing special interest tax breaks, such as tax breaks for big oil companies. [H Con Res 34, Vote #277, 4/15/11; Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 4/20/11]
And Again Benishek Kline Voted to Protect Big Oil. On March 29, 2012, Benishek voted for a budget that would protect $40 billion in tax breaks for big oil. [H Con Res 112, Vote #151, 3/29/12; Center for American Progress, 3/20/12]
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