WHY???
Why would South Dakota conservative (?) Republican (?) Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds vote to sell 58 million barrels of oil from the Nations Strategic Petroleum Reserves? Especially at VERY LOW PRICES?? Oil prices today are about $44.00 per barrel, almost $100.00 per barrel less than in 2008.
Why? Its a question neither of them seem to be answering.
Its just part of the “Budget Deal” both of them voted for. It is the same “deal” that stole $ 150 Billion dollars from Social Security and removed the limits on our national debt.
This was not “just another vote”. These two Senators joining the Democrats to vote for this “deal” has far-reaching impact on senior citizens and taxpayers in general for generations to come.
Until the Senators give South Dakotans an explanation, I will offer this suggested explanation:
They chose to protect the political skin of the Republican Party and their own political careers over doing what was right for the American people. They were fearful that if they did not sell out and vote with the Democrats, they might be blamed for a “government shutdown” which could damage their prospects for winning the next election.
If they have another explanation, they are not sharing it with us.
We invite either (or both) of these Senators to send us their explanation. We will publish it without edit.
***Gordon Howie is an author and CEO of Life and Liberty Media***
“It’s not about right or left, it’s about Right or Wrong.”
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Gordie got that right.How about those fiscal Thune who wants a farm bill.
oops..wrong email from Thune…but still quite interesting
That letter was in response from thune taking home mortgage fees to spend on road funds..the most corrupt of funds…road funds…now paid for by home owners
Here is their explanation:
Dear Lora:
Thank you for contacting me about funding mechanisms for federal transportation policy. I appreciate hearing from you.
As you may know, federal investment in infrastructure has traditionally been paid for through user fees, primarily the federal gas tax, which are deposited in the Highway Trust Fund. South Dakota relies on the Highway Trust Fund for roughly 75 percent of our highway construction budget. Unfortunately, since 2008, spending from the Highway Trust Fund, which is allocated by formula to states, has outpaced receipts. As a result, there have been a number of funding infusions into the trust fund.
On July 30, 2015, the Senate passed the bipartisan, multi-year Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act (H.R. 22), which provides transportation program authorization for six years and funding for highway and transit programs for three years. On October 22, 2015, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee marked up an alternative to the DRIVE Act called the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (STRR Act). However, the House Committee on Ways and Means, which is responsible for funding the STRR Act, has not yet introduced legislation to finance the bill.
You may be interested to know that, as part of the Senate budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 11) passed earlier this year, a provision was approved that prohibits the use of credit risk guarantee fees (g-fees) for unrelated federal spending. Under this provision, unrelated legislation using g-fees as a funding mechanism could be subject to a budget point of order. In addition, legislation that would prohibit the use of g-fees as an offset in unrelated spending bills has been introduced in the Senate. This bill has been referred to the Senate Budget Committee.
Without a doubt, access to safe and affordable housing makes an incredible difference in the life of a family. I certainly understand your concerns about credit risk guarantee fees, and as Congress continues to consider a surface transportation reauthorization, I will be sure to keep your thoughts and concerns in mind.
If you would like additional information on my activities in the Senate, please feel free to visit my website, http://www.thune.senate.gov. You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram (@SenJohnThune). Thanks again for contacting me. Please keep in touch.
Kindest regards,
JOHN THUNE
United States Senator