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Home , Rand Paul, Tom Coburn

MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 ☆ SECTION D GOP’s quest for the Senate

Grassley vows investigations of Obama administration. Page 2 Hatch: Senate victory would ensure Obamacare Republicans fi x e s . Page 4 look to roll back Murkowski: Rev Obama agenda up oil exports, with Hill control revamp energy policy. Page 8

ILLUSTRATION BY LINAS GARSYS A watchdog ready to dig deeper BY KELLY RIDDELL Grassley promises more investigations, Congressional Research Service THE TIMES who used to work with Mr. Grass- ley’s staff . “I remember once he overnment watchdog hearings if Republicans take back Senate was trying to get information Sen. Chuck Grass- about some department head ley is waiting to be fi nancial rewards to workers who report about what he viewed as room and allowed cameras. The and they were blowing him off unleashed. report wrongdoing. wasteful spending. Monday that followed, Mr. Spin- and he announced to the press: Blocked by Dem- He has written President Defense Secretary Caspar ney’s image was printed on the ‘I’m going to go over there and Gocratic control of the Senate, the Obama a letter calling on the Weinberger dodged the sena- cover of Time magazine with the speak to the secretary and get Iowa Republican has had to play to prohibit federal tor’s requests. headline “U.S. Defense Spending: the information.’ He showed up a secondary role while investi- agencies from designating jobs as “I tried to make arrangements Are Billions Being Wasted?” to the offi ce and they shuffl ed gations he wants to spearhead “non-critical sensitive” as a way to meet [Mr. Spinney] and Cap “Sen. Grassley has shown a him to a third-level person in — such as the probe of Internal to silence . Weinberger never set it up so stronger loyalty to principles the agency who said ‘no.’ But, Revenue Service targeting of con- “It takes 51 votes to get a bill I thought I’m going to go over than to politics,” said Tom Devine, eventually he does a good job at servative groups — have had to go passed but it only takes one vote to the Defense Department and legal director for the Govern- annoying people and getting the through his Republican colleagues to do oversight — in other words, see him myself,” said Mr. Grass- ment Accountability Project, an information he wants.” in the House of Representatives, making up my ley. “When I got over there, Cap independent government watch- Mr. Grassley became the who are in control and have sub- mind to do it,” said Mr. Grassley, Weinberger was gone … and they dog. “He’s been the conscience of champion for whistleblowers poena power. who said his No. 1 job in Congress wouldn’t let me talk to Spinney.” the Senate — championing the in 1986 when he helped author But the ranking member on is to police the government and Mr. Grassley returned to his freedom of individuals to chal- amendments to the False Claims the Senate Judiciary Committee Act that gave private citizens promises a slew of contentious more power to report and sue hearings focused on the Justice government contractors for Department, National Security fraudulent activity. He also co- Agency snooping, Benghazi and authored the others if Republicans win control Protection Act in 1989 as well of the Senate in November. as the act’s enhancements two “[Oversight] is going to be years ago. a very big thing as far as I’m Mr. Grassley’s whistleblower concerned. I’m talking about in- laws have become the govern- vestigations, not just having the ment’s premier anti- tool. attorney general in once a year, Because of Mr. Grassley’s eff orts, or the FBI director in once a year,” more than $22 billion have been Mr. Grassley said in an interview returned to the Treasury that oth- with . “If erwise would have been lost to Republicans are in the majority, fraud, according to an IRS report I hope we can get the same infor- to Congress penned in 2009. mation this administration says “The bottom line is: I can only a chairman is entitled to.” have the best staff in the world, The Washington bureaucracy, four or five or six investiga- which views Mr. Grassley’s mi- tors — and they can do the nority party status as a reason best job as possible, but this not to answer back, have stymied big bureaucracy that we have the senator’s eff ort to hound the — you can’t know where all Obama administration for in- ANDREW HARNIK/THE WASHINGTON TIMES the skeletons are buried,” Mr. formation on what he sees as Sen. Chuck Grassley, Iowa Republican and one of the Senate’s top government watchdogs, said that if Re- Grassley said. potential abuses of power or publicans take back the Senate in November, he is ready to launch investigations into government scandals. So he relies on whistleblowers mismanagement. — and they come to him. So far this year, Mr. Grassley John Dodson, a special agent has pushed the Homeland Se- defend those who dare to speak offi ce determined to talk with Mr. lenge the abuses by bureaucracy.” with the Bureau of Alcohol, To- curity Department for answers out against it. Spinney one way or another. He And Mr. Grassley doesn’t care bacco, Firearms and Explosives, about a “hands-off ” list that keeps Mr. Grassley, who spends threatened to subpoena Mr. Spin- if he has to get in your face to worked with Mr. Grassley’s staff off the no-fl y list some individu- every weekend in his home state, ney to get him to testify before do it. when he came clean on the Op- als with suspected terrorist ties. made a name for himself 30 years the Senate Budget Committee on Since his days storming the eration Fast and Furious scandal, He has yet to hear back from the ago when he challenged spending Defense. Under subpoena pres- Pentagon, Mr. Grassley has been in which the agency lost track agency. at the Defense Department under sure, the Pentagon agreed to hold known to show up at the door- of hundreds of fi rearms sold to He also has reached out to President Reagan. a hearing that Friday afternoon in step if documents are denied or Mexican drug cartels. the inspector general at the Trea- Mr. Grassley, then a junior a remote room to have Mr. Spin- requests are being dodged. In October, Mr. Grassley TIMES THE WASHINGTON | sury Department to make sure senator and new to the budget ney and his superior testify. Mr. “Chuck is a good, aggressive joined Rep. Darrell E. Issa, Cal- authorities are probing hiring committee, wanted to talk with Grassley — knowing this was an guy,” said Mort Rosenberg, a ifornia Republican and chair- practices of its Financial Crimes Pentagon analyst Franklin C. eff ort to dodge the press — re- fellow at the Proj- man of the House Oversight and Enforcement Network after the “Chuck” Spinney, who wrote a convened the meeting to a larger ect and a former staff er for the Government Reform Commit- division was caught screening tee, in condemning the ATF for job candidates illegally. trying to prohibit Mr. Dodson The IRS has been another Sen. Chuck Grassley’s whistleblower’s laws have become the from writing a book about the high-profi le Grassley target. He government’s premier anti-fraud tool, and because of Mr. doomed operation. His account, said in September that despite Grassley’s eff orts, more than $22 billion have been returned to “The Unarmed Truth: My Fight MONDAY • JUNE 30 • 2014 • JUNE 30 2014 MONDAY the IRS creation of a whistle- the Treasury that would otherwise have been lost to fraud. to Blow the Whistle and Expose 2 blower offi ce, the agency has put Fast and Furious,” was published off processing cases and making in December. Sponsored Commentary Provided To The Washington Times Advocacy Department LET’S VOTE Perhaps you have noticed that Liberals like President Obama This is known as capitalism. It is interesting to note that Win- have long touted the value of alternate energy sources, i.e. wind, ston Churchill once said, “The inherent voice of capitalism is the solar, grain and ethanol – which runs up the cost of corn so that we unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of social- all pay more for food and gas. ism is the equal sharing of misery.” Energy experts have long argued that natural gas delivered through pipe- I am confi dent that we do have men and women with character, strength, lines, which the U. S. has some one hundred thousand miles in place, is the courage and guts to provide stepping stones for a new government which least expensive and safest method of transportation. will in fact be a servant of the people and provide them with leadership and Building new interstate pipeline branches to new users in , Dela- laws legislated only in the best interest of their constituents, as opposed to ware and elsewhere would create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. their own selfi sh interests or those of others. There is absolutely no decent argument against the administra- If you have an ounce of doubt, you may remember some great tion’s approval of the project. Experts also esti- pioneers. Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, mate this project would produce over 200,000 new well-paying jobs together or Franklin D. Roosevelt. with huge side benefi ts. I include Roosevelt because he had the unique genius to fi nd the very A development of this kind will produce a confl uence of new best men and women to reorganize and lead an ill-equipped and untrained small businesses. Reliable economists point out that small busi- nation to wage a history-changing war against Germany and the Axis pow- nesses provide approximately 65% of all new jobs in the U. S. ers, who might have carried our world into a second Middle-Age hell. Picture the U. S. as a country with low competing energy costs. Ladies and gentlemen, the U. S. and most of our states have Folks, it’s there for the taking. gotten us into a jam! The Obama administration has borrowed an ad- I believe American engineers can do virtually anything. In the ditional $7 trillion from the Chinese and others to buy a system that simply past 10 years Americans and Canadians have discovered enough does not work, i.e. Obamacare, and it is also impossible to properly admin- natural gas reserve to provide inexpensive and safe fuel for hun- ister or govern. dreds, if not thousands of years. This added to the nation’s original debt makes a total of $17 trillion, con- When the necessary facilities and distribution points have been complet- tinuing to rise. $7 trillion represents about $20,000 for every man, woman ed, this country will have energy sources within its own borders and will no and child in the U. S., and about $48,000 for every family. longer have to rely on countries in the Middle East or anywhere else. Folks, think of this in terms of a debt and a burden which will be There is another proven way to create new jobs and enrich our passed on to our children and our children’s children. economy. That is to establish good trade relations with foreign nations. To Our generation, yours and mine, are preparing to leave the next do we should negotiate appropriate trade agreements. generation not only in debt, but with a standard of living which is Here is an example. It costs several times more to produce and lower than we have enjoyed. transport natural gas in Eastern Europe, most of Asia and the Pacifi c Rim. Can this be reversed? Can the tide be turned? Of course! But Throughout the world good heads will continue to envy the U. S. and se- not without your attention, your action and my action, and the re- riously want to develop their own natural gas or other energy sources to solve of Americans everywhere. Let’s resolve to proceed forward. compete in a world where winning means producing and selling goods and once said, “Freedom is never more than one services at a competitive price. If they do not have necessary resources generation from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in within their own boundaries, they will have to buy from the U. S. or some the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on other competing country. to them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years Once entrepreneurs and engineers produce a new and lasting telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like product and have obtained appropriate patents and other protective in the U. S. when men were free.” devices, buyers will be found on a worldwide basis. More jobs! On November 4, 2014, a little over four months from now History tells us that few countries can outpace the U. S. when it comes there will be an election where we can replace those Senators, to new discoveries, talents and abilities to design and produce products. Congressmen and other elected offi cials at all levels of govern- THE WASHINGTON TIMES Many of these services and products have greatly improved the ment with , Republican, or Independent health, safety and wealth of millions and millions of men and wom- men and women who can and will represent their constituents’ en and thousands of institutions in every corner of the world. needs and wishes. Polls have consistently shown that the ma- Let’s return to our small but important part of the world. I be- jority of voters of every persuasion are conservative and desper- lieve that we have the knowledge, experience, willingness, and ately want to reorganize this country into a land which more de- ability to design and initiate a new political and economic model. fi nes those principles of our Founding Fathers that stood strong We must fi nd leaders with vision and the ability to reverse our pres- for liberty, peace and freedom. I believe it is your right and duty | ent course which can only steer us into a form of socialism which to vote next November 4th for the men and women who will best MONDAY • JUNE 30 2014 is largely present in Western Europe. represent your own very best needs and wishes. The United States has built the richest and most successful economy and produced the largest number of new ways of improv- God bless and save our great nation. ing life. This, I believe, has been accomplished through the guid- ance, hopes and wishes of our forefathers who believed in a system Respectfully, which would provide each man with the ability to make his own choices. DANIEL G. ANDERSON, @GopSenate2014 3 Hatch’s healthier health care option Obamacare will be rewritten under GOP leadership of the Senate

BY KELLY RIDDELL potential plans into the market- THE WASHINGTON TIMES place that will ultimately lower the cost and give people more here is no Obam- choices for coverage,” Mr. Fey- acare retreat in Sen. man said. Orrin G. Hatch’s Mr. Hatch knows how to bro- office. The Utah ker a deal in the Senate. He has Republican prom- sponsored or co-sponsored the ises that President most laws of any current sena- TObama’s signature health care tor — 742 — compared with the law will cease to exist in its cur- median of 78. rent form if Republicans win With a Republican-led Senate, control of the Senate this fall. it’s likely that some of the tenets Mr. Hatch, who is poised to in Obamacare could be modifi ed become chairman of the power- and replaced with something ful Senate Finance Committee if more palatable for Republicans, Republicans regain the major- said Dennis Smith, a managing ity, has been chipping away at director at McKenna Long & Obamacare as a ranking member. Aldridge LLP who served in the He has off ered numerous amend- George W. Bush administration as ments to the Aff ordable Care Act director and as health since it became law, such as de- and human services secretary in laying tax credits and subsidies to Wisconsin. certain immigrants and banning “The Democrats just want to coverage. consolidate all of the authority Mr. Hatch also has co-spon- in Washington, but the Republi- sored a bipartisan bill that would cans care just as much about our repeal taxes on medical device THE WASHINGTON TIMES vulnerable populations. So the companies as a way to fund the Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, Utah Republican, has been chipping away at Obamacare, but if his party takes control of diff erences are not about whether Aff ordable Care Act. He says the the Senate in November elections, he hopes to overhaul President Obama’s signature health care law. there’s a role for government, but bill has enough Democratic sup- what level of government and port to pass on the Senate fl oor where the decision-making lies,” if Majority Leader , lodged in the bureaucratic mal- when you have a bill that passes conditions would be allowed to Mr. Smith said. Nevada Democrat, would allow a feasance of Washington, they say. with 60 Democrats — and only change their health care plans Liberal groups have attacked vote. It’s one of the fi rst pieces of A Kaiser Health Tracking Poll Democrats in the House and the or sign up for coverage during the Hatch & Co. health care plan legislation that would be approved survey conducted in May shows Senate — you know it’s a lousy an open-enrollment phase, that and have condemned its pro- under Mr. Hatch’s leadership if public opinion remains nega- bill,” Mr. Hatch said. “Something if missed and coverage lapsed, vision to scale back the rules Republicans win the Senate. tive toward Obamacare, with 45 that’s this controversial and this would not be given the same for people with pre-existing “We have to win this elec- percent of the public having an important and this costly.” guarantees for later enrollment. conditions. tion. We have to have Republi- unfavorable view of the health Under the Republican plan, This aspect would prompt more “Making it legal again for big cans take control of the Senate, care law versus 38 percent who regulations on what insurance consumers to get covered dur- insurance to discriminate against and if we do, we have to change like it. About six in 10 say they companies must provide in their ing these open-enrollment pe- and deny coverage to 89 million Obamacare,” said Mr. Hatch. “The would prefer their representative off erings would be erased, tax riods, as well as give insurers Americans with pre-existing con- American people are really upset in Congress to work to improve cuts for employer-sponsored in- a steadier risk profi le on their ditions is not an alternative — it’s right now and they’re concerned the law, while about a third want surance would be reduced for enrollees, allowing for greater a joke,” Americans United for with — what I think great justi- their representative to work to employees with “Cadillac” plans, pricing fl exibility. Change said in a statement. “A fi cation — that they’re going to repeal the law and replace it with the expansion of Medicaid would “This is the most feasible Re- sick one at that.” be big losers. They will be if we something else. be undone, and tax credits would publican alternative to Obam- Still, criticisms are not deter- keep Obamacare going.” “We need the White House be provided to help lower-income acare so far,” said Yevgeniy ring Mr. Hatch or others in the Mr. Hatch, along with Sens. and from that standpoint it’s people buy private insurance — Feyman, a health care analyst Senate who think Obamacare is of and going to be very diffi cult to get paid for by the reduction in tax at the Manhattan Institute who unworkable. of , rid of Obamacare for the next credits given to employer-spon- has studied the plan. “It ensures “Right now, you talk about af- have off ered a blueprint for the two years,” said Mr. Hatch. “But sored insurance. within the structure of Obam- fordable health care and [Demo- Republican replacement of the there’s going to come a time when The most popular elements acare as little disruption as you crats] don’t think there are any Aff ordable Care Act. Their plan even the president is going to of Obamacare — allowing young can possibly have.” better ideas even though they’re builds on many of the key ele- have to face reality and where adults to stay on their parents’ “Those who bought coverage changing the deadlines on a daily TIMES THE WASHINGTON | ments of Obamacare but isn’t full even he’s going to have to say, plans until they are 26 and not on the Obamacare exchanges can basis, they’re unilaterally chang- of government-issued mandates. ‘Look, I’m tired of fi ghting this allowing insurance companies to keep it. But the bill pulls down the ing the bill, instead of facing it It instead focuses on the free — they have some good ideas drop individuals from their plans fl oor for requirements — there upright and saying let’s redo this market and individuals making and maybe we can work together. because of pre-existing condi- are no minimum benefi ts that bill and get it done right,” said decisions for themselves. “Up until now, they haven’t tions — would be kept. plans must have and insurers Mr. Hatch. He added that Repub- Until Republicans can control been willing to work with us, and Those with pre-existing must provide, so it injects new licans are willing to work with the White House and success- “Democrats who are open and fully repeal the health care mea- honest to try to come up with sure, they are looking for ways to Sen. Orrin G. Hatch knows how to broker a deal in the Senate a health care system that really

MONDAY • JUNE 30 • 2014 • JUNE 30 2014 MONDAY modify and mitigate the legisla- — he’s sponsored or co-sponsored the most laws out of any does work and doesn’t cost the 4 tion’s damage before parts of it are current senator — 742 — compared with the median of 78. American taxpayers trillions of intractable — regulations forever dollars extra.” Cost of ‘green’ initiatives is U.S. security Inhofe: President values climate over military readiness

BY KELLY RIDDELL to believe it. I’d give anything to modernization. [This means] In 2009, the White House and they can work with soldiers THE WASHINGTON TIMES say, ‘Oh we’re still the strongest, risk to the performance of our guaranteed a $2.1 billion alterna- on the ground to ascertain the and have the most modern stuff ,’ mission and risk to those who tive energy loan to Solar Trust of best practical implementation. resident Obama has when we don’t have the capa- serve continues to grow.” America — which later went de- Biofuels have been ordered to spent about $120 bilities that the American public With sequestration, military funct — leaving taxpayers to foot be used to fuel equipment, and a billion on climate believes we have.” and combat readiness are usually the bill. That money was enough pilot program is underway to try change initiatives Military analysts agree with the fi rst to go because they are to patch the 2015 budget shortfall all-electric vehicles on six bases since taking of- the senator. The president’s de- the easiest to cut with the fastest for military pay and housing, Mr. in fi ve states. fice. That is the fense cuts, combined with se- monetary return, said Nora Ben- Inhofe notes. Last month, a Government Ac- equivalent of 1,400 questration — automatic cuts sahel, a fellow at the Washington- This year, the president has countability Offi ce report found PF-35s — the Pentagon’s most ex- that are scheduled to shave $492 based Center for a New American pledged $757 million for the that the military was spending as pensive fi ghter jets, according to billion from the military’s budget Security. Global Climate Change Initiative much as $150 a gallon on alterna- estimates by Sen. James M. Inhofe over a period of 10 years — are “The defense cuts of the past to help build green power plants tive jet fuel derived from algal of Oklahoma, the ranking Republi- having a negative impact on the few years and that will extend abroad. That is the equivalent of oil rather than $2.88 a gallon for can on the Senate Armed Services conventional jet fuel. Committee. “Why should the Defense De- The Pentagon, dealing with partment be paying for solar pan- unprecedented spending cuts, els? Why should defense be paying plans to slash the Army’s size for biorefi neries? Those are not to pre-World War II levels. Top defense items. We have a Depart- brass are grappling with which ment of Energy that’s supposed to programs to cut and are question- be doing that stuff . The disarming ing military readiness. of America is not just what he’s At the same time, the White been doing in cuts or delays like House is pushing its climate the F-35s, but less obvious is what change agenda at the expense he’s puts in [the defense budget] of other programs and perhaps that we’re spending money on national security, Mr. Inhofe said. that should be spent on defense “When you have the top person as opposed to his agenda. in the military — the chairman “Now, [the president’s] true of the Joint Chiefs of Staff [Gen.] to his agenda, and you may agree Martin Dempsey saying our force with it and that’s fi ne. I don’t,” Mr. is so degraded and so unready that Inhofe said. it would be immoral to use force. Still, the Pentagon is no har- That’s big time, that’s serious,” said binger for fi scal responsibility, Mr. Inhofe in an interview with said Sen. Tom Coburn, a fellow The Washington Times. Oklahoma Republican. “Our capabilities historically In his 2014 infamous waste since World War II have been book, Mr. Coburn found it of- what our strategy was: to be able fensive that the Department of to fi ght in two fronts in two sepa- Defense was destroying $7 bil- rate wars — we can’t do that now,” lion worth of usable vehicles said Mr. Inhofe. “I’ve got 20 kids and other military equipment — and grandkids, and when I bail rather than selling it or shipping it out of here I want to make sure back home — as the wars in that we have a military that’s Sen. James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma Republican, said President Obama’s liberal spending on green initiatives and Afghanistan were drawing going to take care of them.” is at the expense of a robust and ready U.S. military. He is looking for ways to change that. down, and that $82.5 million was

That means spending a little gifted to local law enforcement THE WASHINGTON TIMES more than 4 percent of the na- agencies in the form of surplus tion’s gross domestic product on readiness and ability of our na- as a requirement of sequestra- 50 Black Hawk helicopters that mine resistant ambush protected defense — roughly the level to tion’s defense. tion really are having an eff ect the National Guard and reserve tactical vehicles. which payments have dropped “The sky technically is falling on the military readiness,” she units need under the Army Avia- Mr. Inhofe acknowledges that under the Obama administration, for the Defense Department, but said. “There is great pressure to tion Restructure initiative. fi scal strings could be tightened. Mr. Inhofe said. it’s more of a slow bleed rather fi nd savings quickly to meet the Even the Defense Depart- He is proposing putting more au- Last year, Russia outspent the than one signifi cant event or pre- required level of cuts. Operations ment’s budget is full of green thority in the hands of the military U.S. in defense for the fi rst time cipitous moment,” said Mackenzie and maintenance funds — the initiatives that the president or- — rather than other government | in more than a decade, allocat- Eaglen, a national security analyst funds the forces use for readiness dered. To cut fossil fuels in the bureaucrats and contractors — to MONDAY • JUNE 30 2014 ing 4.8 percent of its GDP to at the American Enterprise Insti- — are the easiest way to get your combat theater, the military has decide how to modify plans when military arms, according to the tute. “All defense priorities are hands on money really fast. That been taking action such as adding a ship or plane encounters cost Stockholm International Peace taking a hit including readiness includes everything that a unit solar panels to tents and back- overruns. Research Institute. and people — the two things that needs to operate, to deploy on a packs and sealing camps with an He also is recommending no “There are people who don’t politicians have hoped to avoid. rotation to the national training insulating coating so cooled that contract cancellations after a want to believe that the threat is There’s a squeeze and it’s real.” center, to maintaining equipment, air does not leak. certain milestone has been met. real out there,” said Mr. Inhofe, In a May hearing, Gen. and buying ammunition comes The Defense Department Many times, projects are almost noting that China has increased Dempsey told Congress that out of those funds. So when they now dispatches energy teams completed before they are can- its arms spending by 300 percent budget cuts were causing the get cut, readiness levels go down.” to operating bases with policy celed, he said, which has been a while the U.S. has been cutting military to “hemorrhage readi- Yet the White House has other knowledge of how renewable signifi cant contributor to time and 5 back. “And it’s so convenient not ness and cutting further into spending priorities. energy systems can be used, money waste. GOP homing in on Senate, ready to push policies

BY SETH MCLAUGHLIN RACES TO WATCH THE WASHINGTON TIMES The following races are expected to determine whether Democrats can fend off Republican efforts to flip six seats and take control of the Senate. aving beaten back all of the Four Democrat-controlled seats that Republicans tea party chal- have strong chances of flipping: lengers so far this year, Sen- Arkansas RealClearPolitics poll avg. Spread ate Republicans Sen. Mark L. Pryor (D) 45.5% +1 have assembled (R) 44.5% a fi eld of candi- dates well-poised to hold their own Hseats and make a run at the at least six Sen. Mary L. Landrieu (D) 43.7% Democrat-held seats needed to fl ip (R) 46.7% +3 control of the chamber and start calling the shots in the upper chamber. Montana (Sen. Max Baucus retired) With the midterm elections four John E. Walsh (D) 36% months away, Republicans are begin- (R) 51% +15 ning to make a case for what the cham- ber would look like, with approval of North Carolina the Keystone XL pipeline and repeal Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D) 45.3% +3 of a tax on medical devices — a widely Thom Tilis (R) 42.3% despised component of Obamacare — at Two Democrat-controlled seats that are considered Most prognosticators as good as flipped: say the top eight or nine South Dakota (Sen. Tim Johnson is retiring) Senate seats in play Rick Weiland (D) 29.5% this year are all held by Former Gov. (R) 44% +14.5 Democrats, which means Larry Pressler (I) 17.5% the majority party is West Virginia (Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV is retiring) playing heavy defense Natalie E. Tennant (D) 38% everywhere, from (R) 48.5% +10 to North Carolina. Three Democrat-controlled seats considered toss ups:

the top of the list. Alaska Also on the list are a slew of bills to Sen. Mark Begich holds single-digit leads in polling versus cut regulations and roll back some of two top Republican contenders for the primary. President Obama’s executive actions, all Colorado of which have passed the Republican- Sen. (D) 43.5% +1.7 controlled House but are languishing in the Senate, where Majority Leader Cory Gardner (R) 41.8% Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, has Iowa (Sen. Tom Harkin is retiring) them bottled up. 43.8% +0.8 “There are lots of bipartisan jobs Bruce Braley (D) THE WASHINGTON TIMES bills being held up after passing the (R) 43% ASSOCIATED PRESS House,” said Don Stewart, a spokesman Source: RealClearPolitics and The Washington Times for Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Bills in the Senate is still as a statue in the Capitol Rotunda, but Republicans hope to get things moving if they win control of the chamber in the midterm elections. Polls suggest they have a solid chance. Republican who likely would ascend to majority leader if he wins re-election in November and if Republicans take Republicans have managed to avoid fostered bad blood when Mr. Cochran University of Virginia political scien- “Voting on amendments is good for issues get fl oor time. One Republican to get anything to the president’s desk,” control. “And there are lots of good ideas the self-infl icted wounds that cost them relied on Democrats to win. tist Larry Sabato predicts a gain of four to the Senate, and it’s good for the coun- aide said Mr. Reid single-handedly he said. “Republicans would ensure that If Republicans win fi ve on Obamacare.” in 2010 and 2012, when they nominated Prognosticators who crunch eight seats for Republicans. try,” he said. “Our constituents should foiled a bipartisan patent reform bill the Senate actually works, holds votes | TIMES THE WASHINGTON MONDAY • JUNE 30 2014 | seats, the chamber would That Republicans are even envision- candidates that squandered winnable the numbers on various scenarios If Republicans win fi ve seats, the have greater voice in the process. They by leaving it to die in committee after and focuses on issues that have a level ing control shows just how bad the races, including in Indiana, Missouri, give Republicans a good chance at chamber would be split 50-50, with Vice should also know where we stand on he said in May he wouldn’t bring it to of bipartisan support. be split 50-50, with Vice environment is for Democrats this year. Delaware and Nevada — a race that succeeding. President Joseph R. Biden giving Demo- the issues of the day, regardless of the fl oor. “Right now, nothing is getting done President Joseph R. Biden Most prognosticators say the top could have toppled Mr. Reid in 2010. gives Repub- crats control through his tie-breaking whether the majority party thinks those Sen. , Wyoming Re- in the Senate because Harry Reid and giving Democrats control eight or nine Senate seats in play this Instead, Mr. McConnell survived a licans a 56 percent chance of winning vote, but even that would seriously issues are worth debating or voting publican and Republican Policy Com- President Obama won’t allow Republi- year are all held by Democrats, which tea party primary challenge in Ken- control. Nate Silver, a former number- hamper Mr. Reid’s control. on. And if Republicans are fortunate mittee chairman, said that if Republi- cans and Democrats to vote on conse- through his tie-breaking means the majority party is playing tucky, two mainstream candidates cruncher at The New York Times who Mr. McConnell signaled this year enough to be in the majority next year, cans win the majority, energy bills will quential issues,” Mr. Barrasso said. “If vote, but even that heavy defense everywhere, from Alaska emerged in the Republican primary now runs FiveThirtyEight.com, says that if he takes the gavel from Mr. Reid, they would.” be a major focus, and priorities will be Republicans were in charge, the Senate would seriously hamper to North Carolina. Even Virginia, Michi- runoff in and Sen. Thad Co- Republicans have a probability of win- he would encourage a more robust com- Republicans say Mr. Reid has be- the Keystone pipeline and legislation to would actually listen to the American Senate Majority Leader MONDAY • JUNE 30 • 2014 • JUNE 30 2014 MONDAY gan and could come chran survived a tea party challenge in ning 5.7 seats or, when rounded, the six mittee process and open up the debate come too powerful in controlling the boost natural gas exports. people and work to solve important Harry Reid’s control. 6 into play. Mississippi last week, though that race seats needed to gain a majority. and amendment processes. chamber, unilaterally deciding which “We realize that we’ll need 60 votes problems.” 7 Fueling the world Murkowski pushes for natural gas, oil exports

BY KELLY RIDDELL

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

en. is looking to help drive the natural gas export rush and maybe even turn some heads into considering Sshipping oil, despite pricing and environmental concerns. The Republican from Alaska, the fourth-largest oil produc- ing state, is poised to become chairwoman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee if Republicans win the Senate in elections this year. Her father held that position 13 years ago. Among Ms. Murkowski’s top priorities are increasing U.S. ex- ports of crude oil and natural gas, called LNG because natural gas needs to be liquefi ed before it can be shipped. “Part of my push to move toward exports is to get our oil in better alignment — so that we can con- tinue to produce at a level and at a rate that continues to spur our econ- ANDREW HARNIK/THE WASHINGTON TIMES omy along,” said Ms. Murkowski. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Republican, is pushing to make the export of U.S. natural gas and oil easier, over the concerns of environmentalists. “Also think about [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s continued ability to utilize energy as a weapon. If we trade agreements with the U.S. go-ahead from the Federal En- or make investment uncertain Increased LNG exports will can, through our exports, allow for “Japan is coming to us here in ergy Regulatory Commission. It within that industry, which relies “increase fracking and carbon a level of insulation — allow for a the United States — and they’re is scheduled to begin operation on natural gas byproducts. emissions, put sensitive ecologi- level of stability geopolitically — is not just coming to me as the next year. “Exporting such a large vol- cal areas at risk, and do nothing this not a good thing for us?” ranking member — I know that Opponents worry that ex- ume of this strategic commodity to address our country’s energy Because of the boon in hy- they’re talking to anybody that porting natural gas or crude oil will raise domestic natural gas challenges,” said the Sierra Club. draulic fracturing, or fracking — will listen, and they’re saying: ultimately will drive up domes- and electricity prices for every Exporting LNG to overseas mar- a drilling process in which chemi- Can you please hurry it up on tic prices because supplies will American, undermine manufac- kets would be a “dirty, dangerous cally treated water is plunged these export applications because dwindle. turing competitiveness and cost practice that lets the industry underground to help shatter rock as a nation, we keenly want to “We have crossed a line into an the nation good-paying jobs,” make a killing at the expense of and free natural gas — the U.S. purchase U.S. LNG,” said Ms. era when we could be massively America’s Energy Advantage, a human health,” the environmen- now produces more natural gas Murkowski. “We are providing coalition of industrial companies talist group said. than any other country. Yet Rus- them with a resource that they Among Sen. Lisa such as Dow Chemical Co. and That argument undermines sia, the second-largest producer, desperately want, that they des- Alcoa Inc., said in a statement. the technical advances the in- is the world’s top net exporter, perately need.” Murkowski’s top Ms. Murkowski challenges dustry has made over the years, followed by Qatar and Norway. Exporting natural gas would priorities are that thinking. Ms. Murkowski said, challenging The reason is simple: U.S. law help build U.S. infl uence glob- increasing U.S. “Just because you have a prod- naysayers to visit Alaska’s North limits the number of countries ally, leading to stronger ties with exports of crude oil uct leaving a country doesn’t Slope, where horizontal drill- to which energy companies can allies and help deter bad actors, automatically assume that you’re ing is at the forefront compared export. Companies are required such as Russia, that look to use and natural gas. going to see an increase in price with older sites such as Alaska’s to get “public interest” approval abundant energy resources as a or that there will be a limitation Prudhoe Bay. from the Energy Department if way to manipulate the geopoliti- exporting America’s natural gas, of supply,” said Ms. Murkowski. “It’s important that everyone TIMES THE WASHINGTON | their potential buyers haven’t cal scene, she said. sending the jobs and consumer “It takes you back to Econ 101: acknowledge the gains and the signed agreements Over the past 3½ years, the benefi ts abroad along with the If you have a bigger market, a advances that we’ve made with with the United States. That Energy Department has used its fuel,” Sen. Edward J. Markey, more stable market that is clearly the technology that allows us stipulation restricts exports to discretion to approve only six Massachusetts Democrat, said in available when you’re allowed to to reduce the footprint when it all European nations, along with applications to export LNG. It is March, predicting higher domes- export, then that increases pro- comes to exploration and produc- China, India and Japan — where sitting on 24 other applications, tic prices. “The level of exports duction domestically — which tion, to minimize our environ- natural gas prices are the highest. some of which have been pend- approved is now more than every will work to reduce the overall mental impact in ways that are If Ms. Murkowski had her way, ing for more than two years. Only single American home consumes.” price of oil. As the overall price incredibly consequential,” said that law would be changed to in- one, Cheniere Energy’s Sabine Those in the manufacturing of oil is reduced, then American Ms. Murkowski. “I don’t think

MONDAY • JUNE 30 • 2014 • JUNE 30 2014 MONDAY clude all counties that participate Pass Liquefaction terminal on sector worry that if LNG exports consumers will see that benefi t.” that the industry gets a lot of 8 in the World Trade Organization, the -Louisiana border, has are approved too hastily, market Environmentalists are also credit for how they are accessing along with those that have free received the fi nal construction volatility could push up costs concerned. these resources.” The telecom agenda of a GOP Senate

Q&A with Sen. There are some things that , Net neutrality, spectrum auctions at issue are immediate. For example, we South Dakota need to extend the moratorium Republican on Internet taxes that expires and ranking Nov. 1 of this year, and if we don’t member of extend that, there will be an awful the Commit- lot of services, broadband-type teeA on Commerce, Science & services, that would be taxed at Transportation the state level because a lot of states have tax regimes that cover Q: A lot has been in the news telecommunication services to regarding net neutrality. Where include things that are currently do you stand on that debate? not taxable. A: Well, fi rst off , I don’t think Now, this is more of a Finance you want to govern the Internet Committee jurisdiction issue, but with a 20th-century law, we want another issue out there is trade, a 21st-century law for 21st-century which I think is very important. communication systems. I think, We’re a huge exporter of digital unfortunately, what [the Federal goods, and there are other coun- Communications Commission tries with which we trade that is] attempting to do — and what we think use some of these more they’re getting a lot of political recent revelations — the NSA pressure from the left to do — is stuff — as an excuse for what we use Title II to recategorize it as call digital . And so a telecommunications services. we’re also really focused on that. Which would essentially subject them to “Ma Bell”-type regula- ASSOCIATED PRESS Q: Can you explain that a little tions in an era when you have all Sen. John Th une, South Dakota Republican, is poised to become chairman of the Commerce, Science and bit; what that is? this innovation and things hap- Transportation Committee if Republicans reclaim control of the Senate in the November midterms. A: If a country wants to pre- pening; a marketplace has just vent cross-border data flows, blossomed. It strikes me as a big there are ways they can do that. mistake to go back to that kind of or working? What is your feel- modernize that a little bit. We’ve by which everybody has an op- They can have localization re- a framework. ing regarding consolidation, obviously had some discussion portunity to compete. quirements when it comes to [FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler] given the Time-Warner Cable about that. It’s time we update servers and things like that. It’s is getting a lot of pressure on that. and Comcast proposed merger, and look at that stuff all with an Q: If you were chairman of ways of basically protecting trade They’re going to use this Section as well as what’s going on in the eye toward competition. the committee, what would be the same way as you would agri- 706 debate — now they’re trying wireless marketplace? I’m not as concerned as those on the top of your to-do list? cultural commodities. You just to fi nd a toehold to regulate — in A: All those mergers get re- on the left are that we’re at a point A: In terms of priorities and put barriers up, and these would hopes of, that eventually they’ll viewed by the Justice Depart- where we don’t have a very robust where the critical mass is in terms essentially just be digital barriers. go back to more of a Title II re- ment, and they’ll make deter- market that is price competitive of legislating, I do think if we There’s been some discus- classifi cation approach. minations about antitrust and and has an eye toward putting the could work with our counter- sion among European countries Right now, we think they concentration of market power best product out there for the con- parts in the House to work on particularly in regard to the TTIP ought to leave it alone. They don’t and make, if necessary, appropri- sumer at the most aff ordable price. some telecom reforms. I think agreement — the European trade need to regulate this. If they’re ate adjustments there. we’re due, I think the time’s come. agreement — about the impor- looking for direction, they ought I think that, by and large, if Q: Spectrum auction. AT&T So that would be a fairly high tance of ensuring that doesn’t to come to Congress. you look at the results, the market and Verizon have said they priority. happen. It’s a huge marketplace. We would like to work with has worked pretty well. There don’t like the limits as to what Digital goods and services is them to try to develop statutes are certain consolidations and they can buy — that the result- Q: Is that a bipartisan issue? something that we stand as an that better fi t the environment mergers that have occurred that ing spectrum will be purchased A: I hope so. economy to benefi t enormously we’re in today. If we get the ma- you take a hard look and say, how at a lower price, shorting the from, because it’s one of the jority, I think that’s something does this facilitate or promote American taxpayer. Where do Q: Th en why hasn’t this been things they say has really reduced THE WASHINGTON TIMES — looking at reforming telecom the mission, how is this going to you fall? done? our trade defi cit. law — that we would certainly impact ultimately the consumer, A: To better optimize the spec- A: The STELA (Satellite Tele- So we’re really focused on that, have an interest in. and I think those are the things trum auction and the return you vision Extension and Localism and that crosses jurisdictions be- We’ve been in conversations that you have to keep in mind. get for the taxpayer — a certain Act) stuff they did at the commit- tween Finance and Commerce. But with [Reps.] Fred Upton and There seems to be today, at amount of that goes to defi cit re- tee level in the House was pretty with all of these trade agreements Greg Walden on the House side least, in pretty much every sec- duction — you want to make sure bipartisan, but they weren’t doing being negotiated, that will be an who are also interested in that. tor of the telecom world and the you have the maximum amount any of the really heavy-duty lift- issue we’ll deal with next year. It’s probably time for some up- digital world, suffi cient numbers of bidders and the broadcasters ing. They did a few reforms, and I guess I’d say today, I’ll be | dates, but in the meantime we of competitors that are competing participate. I don’t think that ex- I think there’s bipartisan support, interested, too, in some of the MONDAY • JUNE 30 2014 don’t want to see the FCC going with each other, and knock on cluding folks from that auction recognition that we’re in a whole rural issues. Making sure that down a path that is going to re- wood, doing a reasonably good makes much sense. We wrote a new era and that our laws and the rural consumers can access ally endanger just what has been job at creating an open and com- bipartisan letter --- Sen. [Charles statutes need to refl ect that. broadband services. We’ve asked a remarkable success story here petitive marketplace that is con- E.] Schumer and I --- to the FCC The devil is always in the the FCC to look at some of the in the last few years. stantly spinning out new ideas, essentially saying that we don’t details when it comes to writing universal service fund policies new solutions, new services for think it’s a good idea for them to legislation. So we’ll see. But that’s and to allow people who don’t Q: One of the issues that the consumers to use and hopefully preclude certain participants of an area that I’m interested in, and necessary want to subscribe to left has is that there are too few at a price they can aff ord. that auction. To get the best pos- I think there’s suffi cient interest wireline phone services to be companies in the telecommuni- That isn’t to say there aren’t a sible return for the taxpayers at among our members on our com- able to get broadband services. cations space. Taking a look at few things that we can do in terms the best possible outcome, then it mittee and on the House side, too, Right now, the FCC has policies 9 the landscape now, is it broken of reforms that may update and ought to be a very open process in doing something there. to prevent that. Th e FREE digital magazine for those who dare to be independent and free.

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BY KELLY RIDDELL than 10 percent, the taxpayer will THE WASHINGTON TIMES back them up, Mr. Michel said. Thus, Mr. Crapo’s bill cements en. , the taxpayer’s role as a fi nancial Republican, has been backstop. in a yearlong tug of Mr. Michel would rather see war to revamp the Mr. Crapo’s bill stall in Congress, nation’s $10 trillion gamble that Republicans take mortgage market. control of the Senate, then have The ranking legislation that resembles what is Smember of the Senate Banking, in the House of Representatives, Housing and Urban Aff airs which demolishes Fannie and Committee, has been fi ghting op- Freddie without any government- ponents on his left — who say his backed guarantees. bill to overhaul Fannie Mae and Sen. Richard C. Shelby, an Freddie Mac doesn’t do enough Alabama Republican who will vie to help lower-income Americans with Mr. Crapo for the commit- fi nd aff ordable housing — and tee chairmanship if Republicans those on his right, who claim take control, has indicated that the legislation he crafted with he has serious concerns with the Sen. Tim Johnson, South Da- current bill. kota Democrat, gives an explicit Still, 60 votes would be taxpayer-funded bailout to the needed for any housing bill banking industry. to pass the Senate, even with “The fact that it’s being as- Republican control. If the bill saulted by the extremes in both leans harder right, many centrist parties indicates to me that it’s Democrats may drop their sup- a good, centrist, middle-of-the- port, leaving Fannie and Freddie road compromise that has been to linger in U.S. conservatorship the hallmark of our legislative ASSOCIATED PRESS indefi nitely. process,” said Jerry Howard, chief Sen. Mike Crapo (right), Idaho Republican, confers with Sen. , Kentucky Republican. He aims to That worries Mr. Howard. executive offi cer of the National revamp a $10 trillion mortgage market, the largest piece of unfi nished business from the 2008 credit crisis. “The housing markets are Association of Home Builders, getting stagnant again and the an organization that supports the economy as a whole is becom- bill. “What Sen. Johnson and Sen. in America’s history. taxpayer — is not in the fi rst-line If Democrats remain in control ing stagnate. Something is amiss Crapo, what they’ve been able to “We’ve taken it from where position against loss.” — and with moderate Mr. Johnson in the housing sector,” said Mr. do in these political times, is an the government is essentially Mr. Crapo’s bill would replace stepping in as chairman — the Howard. “A signifi cant compo- outstanding eff ort. It’s to their shareholder, board of directors Fannie and Freddie with U.S.- bill will be at the hands of a far nent of what is amiss is the un- credit.” and CEO of the mortgage mar- owned mortgage fi nanciers with more leftist committee. That may certainly concerning Fannie and Walking the political tight- ket — and a fi rst-line position government bond insurance that look to guarantee aff ordable loans Freddie. This status quo of where rope between making mortgages for loss — and moved them to a would kick in only after private for most buyers and include sig- the [government-sponsored en- available and limiting taxpayer point where it’s extremely remote capital suff ered losses of at least nifi cant support for low-income terprises] are in conservatorship liability has been difficult for that they’d be even called upon 10 percent. The bill also would rental housing. is untenable.” those at the helm of the banking for any kind of a fi nancial role in require most borrowers to make Republicans say such ideologi- Mr. Crapo agrees and has ded- committee. The ideological op- the market,” said Mr. Crapo. “So I down payments of at least 5 per- cal provisions led to the fi nancial icated himself to pushing through position between Republicans think that’s a critical step.” cent of the mortgage cost and es- crisis in the fi rst place. a bill either this year or next. and Democrats, in terms of what Mr. Crapo, 63, prides himself tablish funds for aff ordable hous- “The left is always looking If Republicans win Senate

the role of government should on his ability to be a collaborative, ing that would be paid for with a to water down credit require- control, Mr. Crapo will continue THE WASHINGTON TIMES play in the housing market, has common-sense lawmaker who fee on users of the new govern- ments,” said Norbert Michel, a to push his version of the bill, crippled reform. can fi nd the middle road on hot- ment reinsurance agency, among banking analyst at the Heritage although he hasn’t publicly op- Still, the White House and the button issues such as rehauling other architectural tenants. Foundation. “Fannie and Fred- posed dropping the 10 percent president are behind Mr. Crapo’s the mortgage market. Mr. Crapo If Republicans win back the die themselves didn’t start with private-loss threshold. eff orts. Meaning, if the Senate can understands that concessions will Senate in the fall, a push will be low credit standards; they were Right now, Mr. Crapo is fo- get behind the bill, it has a real need to be made in a Democrat- made to drop Mr. Crapo’s 10 per- watered down over time. Eventu- cused on this year, this bill, and chance of being signed into law. controlled Congress, but that’s all cent insurance guarantee. Many ally, their mission morphed into dismantling Fannie and Freddie Restructuring the mortgage for the greater good of unwinding conservatives say the guarantee is an aff ordable housing institution, no matter what the battle. | market is the largest piece of Fannie and Freddie. an explicit taxpayer bailout, mak- and you see where that got us.” “The bottom line is: If you MONDAY • JUNE 30 2014 unfinished business from the “We need to go back to a ing the bill far more untenable Although Mr. Crapo’s bill dis- look at the status quo, you have 2008 credit crisis, when the U.S. private-sector oriented housing for Democrats because it may mantles the two institutions, it Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. government seized Fannie Mae market,” said Mr. Crapo. “We deter private companies from also gives private enterprises an And if you add the [Federal Hous- and Freddie Mac, which were need to get to a system in which issuing loans to riskier, low-credit explicit guarantee that if they take ing Administration], 95 percent of left for dead after backing too government — or I should say the applicants. risks and experience losses greater the market is now dominated by many subprime loans. The com- the government,” said Mr. Crapo. panies, which buy mortgages and “If we stay where we are, we are package them into securities to Sen. Mike Crapo — prides himself on his ability to be a back to a very heavy hand of sell to investors, were bailed out collaborative, commonsense lawmaker, to fi nd the middle road the government regulating the with $188 billion in U.S. taxpayer on hot-button issues like rehauling the mortgage market. industry and controlling, literally, 11 money, the single largest bailout the markets.” No More Waiting!

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