Gordon Listens To Middle Tennessee
August 18, 2006, WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a recent call-in event, Middle Tennessee residents told U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon they were concerned with rising energy costs and border security.
“High energy costs have broad economic impact,” said Gordon. “Today, a Tennessee family with two cars is paying about $1,500 more for gas annually than they did in 2001. That kind of increase is hard on the family budget.
“Our country must have a more balanced energy policy that will promote conservation and energy efficiency and maximize our domestic energy resources, including traditional and alternative fuels. Recent legislation in Congress has included some incentives for production and fewer for conservation. In reality, we need more of both.”
Gordon, Ranking Member of the House Science Committee and a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has supported legislation that would build new oil refineries, make energy price gouging a federal crime and give tax credits to homeowners and builders who use energy efficient equipment, such as solar panels and geothermal heat pumps.
He has also introduced legislation that would increase the availability and affordability of alternative fuels, as well as legislation that would establish a program to bridge the gaps between laboratory research and commercial applications of new energy technology.
In addition to soaring energy prices, many callers expressed concern about the security of the nation’s borders.
“We have a legal process to govern immigration into our country, but this system has broken down,” said Gordon. “It is much too easy for people to enter our country undetected and remain here for as long as they please. Clearly, our nation’s borders aren’t as secure as they should be.”
The bipartisan 9/11 Commission pointed to the nation’s vast land borders as a potential way for terrorists to gain entry into the U.S. The commission also found that better enforcement of immigration laws could have resulted in the interception or deportation of 15 of the 19 hijackers who carried out the attacks on September 11, 2001.
“Securing our borders will also help our communities control the methamphetamine epidemic we are facing,” said Gordon. “Strict new laws have helped reduce meth production in Tennessee, but the amount of meth smuggled in from Mexico has increased dramatically.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that although the number of domestic meth labs has decreased due to laws restricting sales of pseudoephedrine, meth availability has not declined because Mexican drug labs are making up the difference. According to the DEA, the amount of meth seized at the U.S.-Mexico border increased by more than 75 percent between 2002 and 2004.
Gordon voted for the strong immigration bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year. The bill requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop a national strategy for border security and to work with the Department of Defense to increase the availability and use of military equipment in border surveillance. The legislation also requires installation of security fencing along key points of the Mexican border.
Callers also spoke with Gordon about health care, education and other issues.
“Middle Tennesseans who contacted me also wanted to talk about the need for stronger economic growth to create jobs, better educational opportunities for our children and improved access to health care,” said Gordon. “Their advice will help me add a little Tennessee common sense when Congress debates these important issues.”
