On the Campaign Trail with Ed Tibbetts

An abortion amendment added to the House’s health care bill has roiled the debate, but U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, expects changes to be made in the Senate. He added he doesn’t think the highly charged issue will stop passage of the measure, which faced an uncertain future even before the abortion language was added.

Harkin told reporters on a conference call today the House provision, which backers say is aimed at preventing federal funding from being used for abortions, goes farther than that and actually rolls back existing law.

Democrats in the House allowed the amendment in an effort to woo moderates to vote for the bill.

Since then, pro-choice groups and lawmakers have objected. Some Democrats have even said they won’t vote for a bill with the provision.

Harkin, who chairs the Senate’s health committee, said he didn’t think the party would have to go as far as the House did in getting moderate Senate Democrats to sign on.

“People will jockey for position and they’ll try to get things done, but in the end we’ll have the votes,” he said.

Harkin said the House’s abortion provision could be construed to prohibit people who receive any federal money, including a housing subsidy, from getting an abortion.

He didn’t go so far as to say he’d vote against any bill that included the provision, however. In fact, he said legislators shouldn’t draw lines in the sand. “I’m not drawing lines,” he said.

Sen. Tom Harkin, never one to mince words, seems to be warning Sen. Joe Lieberman that if he joins a Republican effort to block a vote on a health reform bill his chairmanship of the Senate’s Homeland Security Committee might be at risk.

According to the Iowa Independent, Harkin predicted Lieberman would come around, but also noted what might be the consequences if he doesn’t.

“As I said before, when it comes down to getting the 60 votes necessary to pass this bill, I do not believe that Joe Lieberman would want to be the one person who caucuses with the Democrats … to bring this bill down. I don’t think he wants to go down in history like that,” Harkin said.

“He still wants to be a part of the Democratic Party although he is a registered independent. He wants to caucus with us and, of course, he enjoys his chairmanship of the [Homeland Security] committee because of the indulgence of the Democratic Caucus. So, I’m sure all of those things will cross his mind before the final vote.”

A lot is being made of U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe’s vote in favor of the health care bill this week, but Sen. Tom Harkin said this morning her vote isn’t needed to shut off debate, which he considers the key test.

“I’m confident we’ll have it with or without Sen. Snowe,” the Iowa Democrat said.

Interesting take, given all the praise and solicitation that’s being given her, including by President Barack Obama.

Harkin is the new chair of the Senate’s health committee, which passed a health care bill earlier this year. As such, he’s taken a more prominent role in the negotiations that will send a merged bill to the floor, perhaps next week. (It should be noted that Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd is still the panel’s lead guy on the issue).

Harkin took questions from reporters this morning on a conference call and didn’t seem to feel compelled to stick to the Senate Finance Committee’s bill, which was approved earlier this week.

Some of the speculation is that a final bill will have to stick close to the less expensive Finance bill, which also has no public option.

Harkin takes a different view. “I think we have quite a bit of room to maneuver,” he said.

He added it would be “almost unconscionable” to mandate that all individuals get insurance and not give them the option of bypassing private insurance companies so they could buy from a government-run plan.

As for bi-partisanship, Harkin said it’s not as important as passing an effective piece of legislation.

“It seems to me we have to do what we believe is right and the correct course of action,” he said. Republicans, he says, have been given a chance to weigh in but still are opposing reform.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, chaired a hearing today about the potential ill effects of cell phone usage.

An interesting read that may make you think twice the next time you pick up your cell phone.

Statement of Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)

Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee

Hearing on “Health Effects of Cell Phones”

September 14, 2009

As Prepared for Delivery

“The Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Service and Education and Related Agencies will now come to order.

“There are an estimated 270 million cell phone users in the United States, and about 4 billion worldwide.  I would venture to guess that almost everyone in this room uses a cell phone on a regular basis, and most of us don’t give a second’s thought that it could harm us in any way.

“However, a growing number of experts think there is cause for concern.  The amount of radiation emitted by cell phones is tiny – billions of times less than an X-ray.  But some researchers believe that, over the course of many years, even this low level of radiation could cause cancers of the brain and central nervous system, as well as a range of other harmful effects.

“Indeed, some international studies have suggested that people who use cell phones for more than 10 years are more likely to get tumors on the side of the head where they usually hold their phone.  Other studies, meanwhile, have found no correlation at all.

“So it is not the intention of this subcommittee to create undue alarm.  I will still use my cell phone after the hearing ends, and I suspect that everyone else here will as well.  But one thing we’ll want to discuss today is whether we need more NIH research in this area, and how that research should be conducted.

“Our expert witnesses will also discuss whether there are precautions we should be taking now, to reduce our exposure to cell phone radiation, in case the fears turn out to be well founded.

“I’m reminded of this Nation’s experience with cigarettes.  Decades passed between the first warnings about smoking tobacco and the final, definitive conclusion that cigarettes cause lung cancer.  If more people had heeded those early warnings, or if we could have established the link between tobacco and cancer more quickly, many lives would have been saved.

“We don’t know yet whether cell phone radiation poses a similar danger.  I hope today’s hearing will begin to address that question.

2nd UPDATE: (1:45 p.m.)

Sen. Tom Harkin confirmed this afternoon that he’s become the new chair of the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee, succeeding the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. He will give up chairing the Agriculture Committee to take the post.

His statement is below:

“Today I am honored to accept the chairmanship of the Senate HELP Committee.  To serve in this capacity is to carry on the legacy of Senator Ted Kennedy, who dedicated his life to ensuring that our economy works for all Americans, guaranteeing every child the opportunity to pursue a quality education and, of course, the cause of his life: access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.   In this last endeavor, I expect to work closely with Senator Dodd, who has guided the HELP Committee so capably in reporting The Affordable Health Choice Act, and who will continue to play a leading role as health care legislation moves to the Senate floor.

“Of course agriculture will always be a key interest to my home state of Iowa, so I intend to remain a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, a Committee I have been on since I first joined the Senate in 1985.  My dedication to the Agriculture Committee dates back to my first year in Congress when I served on the House Agriculture Committee in 1975.  In that time, I have had the great privilege of serving as Chairman of the Senate Committee during enactment of the 2002 and 2007 farm bills – bipartisan legislation that passed this body by an overwhelming majority.  It is because of these bills that support for renewable energy and support for farm income grew exponentially, acres and acres of lands have been preserved through conservation efforts, rural developments efforts grew to help small towns that Americans have access to more fruits and vegetables and food assistance is covered for American families who need it.  I intend to remain a member of the Committee.”

UPDATE (1:30 p.m.): Several media outlets are reporting that Sen. Blanche Lincoln, an Arkansas Democrat, will be the new chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, as Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, moves up to chair the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee.

Harkin is in line for the job because Sen. Chris Dodd is declining it in order to stay chair of the Senate Banking Committee.

The changes are necessitated by the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy. The HELP panel is a plum assignment, and Harkin has long worked on health-related issues, much of it related to wellness.

EARLIER VERSION: The Washington Post is reporting that U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, will get the chairmanship of the Senate’s Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee. (See the story here).

The late Sen. Ted Kennedy had chaired the panel and the Post, citing anonymous sources, says Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., isn’t interested in replacing him. Dodd, who also chairs the Senate Banking Committee, would be next in line.

The Post says with Dodd bowing out, the job falls to Harkin.

“Multiple sources in the Harkin orbit, requesting anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said that he is certain to take over the HELP committee,” the Post says.

Harkin would have to give up his chairmanship of the Agriculture Committee if he’s to take the helm at HELP.

QC reaction to Sen. Edward Kennedy’s death is here on the Times web site.

Also, the area’s congressional delegation is reacting. I’ve posted statements from U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Rep. Phil Hare, D-Ill., below.

When I get others I’ll post those.

Here’s Durbin:

“Today there is an empty chair in our Senate and an empty feeling in our hearts.

We all waited expectantly during Ted’s struggle with cancer for the Senate doors to swing wide and that great Irish spirit to once again return.

His voice roared as he battled for the poor and the victims of injustice yet he had a smile that could light a room, a laugh that would draw a crowd and a heart always ready to share your sorrow. America was blessed to have the gift of Ted Kennedy and I was blessed to count him as a friend.”

Here’s Harkin:

“Today my thoughts are with the Kennedy family as they mourn the loss of their father, grandfather, husband and patriarch.  Their grief is shared by all of us in Congress who have lost a friend and role model. I personally was honored to serve with Ted Kennedy and call him my friend.

“In Ted, Americans had a staunch advocate for the rights worth protecting: ensuring a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, making sure that every kid has the education and opportunity they deserve and the cause of his life, access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.  I worked side-by-side with him to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act and will never forget his compassion for individuals with disabilities and the opportunity he gave me as a young senator to spearhead that legislation.

“As Congress continues its work on these and many other issues, we will remember Ted Kennedy every step of the way.  The liberal lion no longer roams the halls of Congress, but his legacy remains.

“We must now rededicate our efforts toward passing legislation to provide robust, quality health insurance coverage for all Americans.”

Here’s Hare’s statement:

“Senator Ted Kennedy was one of the greatest men I ever knew. One of my first political experiences was as a volunteer on his 1980 presidential campaign. Senator Kennedy grew up with every privilege a person could have, yet he spent his entire career fighting for the most vulnerable among us. He was a champion of civil rights for women, racial minorities, gays and lesbians, and all those who faced undue discrimination. He used his powerful role in the Senate to craft legislation that extended the American Dream to ordinary families through better jobs, schools, and health care. And he was the single best friend that organized labor and America’s working men and women ever had. There is no way to fully repay Senator Kennedy for his historic contributions to our nation. But we can start by passing comprehensive health care reform this fall, an issue he called, ‘the cause of my life.’ My condolences go out to the entire Kennedy family.”

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is trying to win farmers over to the House’s climate change bill.

Today, he’s testifying to a Senate committee, saying essentially: The plan has costs and benefits, and the benefits outweigh the costs. You can read excerpts of his testimony below.

He had an op-ed in the Des Moines Register this morning.

The farm sector has been a sticking point in the climate change debate. Having the Ag Department analyze the plan and say it’s a good thing probably carries more weight in rural areas than having the EPA say it. It doesn’t hurt that Vilsack is a former farm state governor.

There’s still plenty of opposition, though. Bob Stallman, the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation said quick action would be the “height of folly,” according to Bloomberg.

 Even Sen. Tom Harkin, the Iowa Democrat who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, has concerns.

Here’s excerpts of Vilsack’s testimony, as released by the Ag Department this morning.

 
“Although we realize there are a variety of specific approaches that can be used to achieve clean energy and climate goals, over the last several weeks, USDA has analyzed costs and benefits of the House-passed climate legislation for agriculture. Our analysis demonstrates that the economic opportunities for farmers and ranchers can potentially outpace – perhaps significantly – the costs from climate legislation.

“The agriculture sector will benefit directly from allowance revenues allocated to finance incentives for renewable energy and agricultural emissions reductions during the first five years of the HR 2454 cap and trade program. Funds for agricultural emissions reductions are estimated to range from about $75 million to $100 million annually from 2012-2016.

“HR 2454’s creation of an offset market will create opportunities for the agricultural sector. In particular, our analysis indicates that annual net returns to farmers range from about $1 billion per year in 2015-20 to almost $15-20 billion in 2040-50, not accounting for the costs of implementing offset practices.

“So, let me be clear about the implications of this analysis. In the short term, the economic benefits to agriculture from cap and trade legislation will likely outweigh the costs. In the long term, the economic benefits from offsets markets easily trump increased input costs from cap and trade legislation. Let me also note that we believe these figures are conservative because we aren’t able to model the types of technological change that are very likely to help farmers produce more crops and livestock with fewer inputs. Second, the analysis doesn’t take into account the higher commodity prices that farmers will very likely receive as a result of enhanced renewable energy markets and retirement of environmentally sensitive lands domestically and abroad. Of course, any economic analysis such as ours has limitations. But, again, we believe our analysis is conservative – it’s quite possible farmers will actually do better.

“What does this mean for the individual farmer? A Northern Plains wheat producer, for example, might see an increase of $.80 per acre in costs of production by 2020 due to higher fuel prices. Based on a soil carbon sequestration rate of 0.4 tons per acre and a carbon price of $16 per ton, a producer could mitigate those expenses by adopting no-till practices and earning $6.40 per acre. So, this wheat farmer does better under the House passed climate legislation than without it. And, it’s quite possible that this wheat farmer could do even better if technologies and markets progress in such a way that allows for the sale of wheat straw to make cellulosic ethanol.

“We recognize that climate legislation will affect different landowners in different ways. This is an important point. USDA can help smooth this transition by using our Farm Bill conservation programs to assist landowners in adopting new technologies and stewardship practices. It is also worth noting that the House bill includes important provisions regarding how to adapt and increase resiliency to climate change impacts, which will be important for our nation’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. Ensuring that landowners and communities have the tools and information they need to adapt to climate change is a priority for this Administration.”

From a story I posted earlier on qctimes.com.

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, introduced a bill today that would force financial derivatives onto regulated exchanges, a move the industry has resisted for several years.

Harkin’s bill is the latest development in the move to increase oversight over the market for credit default swaps and other derivatives, which have been blamed for exacerbating the current financial crisis. Harkin is chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which oversees commodity markets.

“We’re just not going to treat swaps and derivatives differently than any other futures contract. Period,” Harkin told reporters on a conference call today.