Senators Crapo and Risch Sell Out Republican Party and Idaho

Guest commentary by Dr. Rex Rammell (edited 1/16/2009)

It didn’t take Risch long to show his true colors. On his very first vote, Risch joined Crapo and 10 other liberal Republican and 54 Democrat senators to stop a Republican filibuster, which would have continued debate and allowed for possible amendments to the huge omnibus public land grab bill currently before the U.S. Senate.

The “Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009” will cordon off more than 3 million acres from energy leasing by restricting various areas as “federal wilderness” or “wild and scenic” river way. The Act includes 160 separate land measures including Senator Crapo’s Owyhee Wilderness. It also includes 45 pork laden earmarks including a $461 million legal settlement to restore a minimum of 500 salmon to the San Joaquin River in California. The Act is expected to cost $10 billion.

Senator Coburn (Okla) argued it’s foolish to add acreage to the federal government’s responsibility – already 650 million acres – when it can’t even properly manage the properties it has. “We’re not exactly suffering from a shortage of wilderness,” he said.

As bad as the federal land grab is, which is being rammed through by senators who each have their pet projects included, the fact that Risch and Crapo went against the Republican majority and stopped a Republican filibuster is just as disconcerting? Debating amendments is a fundamental principle of effective law making. With these processes taken out, the laws Congress makes are sure to be unjust.

Senator Jim Demint (SC) angrily stated, “If my colleagues on my side continue to accept this, there’s going to be no such thing as a Republican Party.”

I seem to recall Risch campaigning that if you voted for Rammell it would split the vote, LaRocco would win, and the Republicans would lose their ability to filibuster. Well, I guess that rhetoric is out the window! I also recall him saying his first priority was to sponsor a bill to eliminate all earmarks (see KTVB’s taped U.S. Senate debate, October 2008). I guess he meant, unless the earmarks are attached to a bill he likes. So much for Senator Risch’s integrity in keeping campaign promises.

The only thing that surprised me with Risch’s vote is how fast he confirmed everything I warned you about. Too bad those of you who voted for him didn’t believe me. Now we’re stuck with another sell out Republican for six more years. By the time Crapo, Risch, and Simpson are finished voting with the Democrats, maybe the whole State of Idaho will be owned by the federal government.

Rex Rammell
2008 Independent Candidate for the U.S. Senate
367 Talon Dr.
Rexburg, Idaho 83440