Sedona AZ–Arizona’s Congressional District 1 Representative Ann Kirkpatrick (Democrat) today bitterly condemned a blatantly political maneuver by Washington Republicans, who blocked passage of two of her bills to safeguard unique Arizona treasures while creating jobs in her district. Local support for the NSA designation was bi-partisan but the freshman Congresswoman was unable to garner enough bi-partisan support in DC.
She has been fighting for months to designate the Red Rock lands around Sedona as a National Scenic Area with H.R. 4823, and to expand the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument to protect sensitive areas around the current site with H.R. 5110. In addition to making critical strides for conservation, these measures would strengthen the local tourism industry and encourage economic recovery without needing large-scale investment of taxpayer dollars.
The bills have earned broad-based support in Greater Arizona from members of both parties. They were reported out of the House Natural Resources Committee without objection and with amendments by both Democratic and Republican Members. However, when they were brought up for a vote on the House floor, Republicans chose to block these low-cost jobs projects.
“This is exactly why folks are so frustrated with Congress,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “Washington Republicans put party loyalty and political games above what’s right for the people. They are trying to score points in a partisan battle by blocking bills that will get Arizonans back to work and protect this district’s wonders. There’s no excuse for it.”
H.R. 4823 failed with 258 in favor and 160 opposed, and H.R. 5110 failed with 244 in favor and 174 opposed. Under the suspension of the rules procedure, which is frequently used to pass non-partisan legislation like these measures, a two-thirds vote is required. Both bills can still be considered and passed on a majority vote, but that will require multiple procedural roadblocks to be cleared – delaying them for weeks at minimum.
Arizona U.S. Congressional District 1 Representative Ann Kirkpatrick’s speeches during debate denouncing partisan obstacles to these bills and encouraging Members to support them can be viewed here and here.
This morning’s editorial from the Arizona Republicon the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument expansion bill, which commented that “if any bill should be a slam dunk, this is it” and called on Congress not to let the effort “get caught up in election-year obstructionism,” can be read here.
For further voting analysis of this story, read on-line ST.com’s examination of the Congressional voting record of the NSA bill.
Not all of us want the NSA.
Maybe if Kirkpatrick hadn’t voted for every fat left big government spending program that doubled our debt in the shortest time ever she would have garnered a few more votes from representatives who have been trying to stop the madness. Our best shot at the NSA bill is to replace her and get a Republican in there with a Republican majority and maybe even a Senate majority and put it through next year. It is too bad politics are playing like they are but the majority of the people polled in this country do not like what congress is doing. Let’s not give up. It is a good bill but has to be presented in an environment where there is at least minimal bipartisanship.
Thank you, Sedona Times, for covering this and letting all and sundry know the details of the very sad event that happened last week. Instead of writing my own bitter feelings, I thought I would copy an email which Eddie Maddox sent me today. Eddie is not affiliated to any political party so I feel her comments can be taken as representative of the many thousands of folks here who have sent in letters and petitions, made phone calls and voted out a council to get this Bill introduced. Here is her email, which she sent to Ann Kirkpatrick and which she has given me permission to send:
Dear Congresswoman Kirkpatrick:
It’s becoming increasingly frustrating while attempting to contact those Republicans who voted to deny the designation that I continue to receive their stated intention: “I’m here to serve the residents of the (specified) District.” Why then are they allowed to vote on issues as important as this NSA designation which is a disservice to those of us outside their specific districts without benefit of registering our objection to the decisions relating directly to our quality of life? I find this appalling and, therefore, will reiterate my message to them through you which I respectfully request you manage to convey directly to them:
TO THOSE OF YOU WHO VOTED DOWN THE BILL FOR A PROPOSED NATIONAL SCENIC AREA DESIGNATION IN ARIZONA:
As a non-partisan registered voter, the only way I know how to express my dismay in your denial of a National Scenic Area is to vote for absolutely every Democrat on the ballot this November. Your lack of regard to the long standing will of the majority of people who support the NSA designation, including Coconino and Yavapai Counties and three Sedona City Councils is, in my opinion, as bad as the recent lawsuit the government has filed against the State of Arizona. If ever there’s a reason for the world to boycott this State is to protest the refusal by elected officials to uphold the wishes of a vast majority in order to cater, the same as Rick Renzi, to developers and the National Assn. of Realtors, as is now firmly on record. Adding insult to injury to those of you outside our Congressional Districts and advocate you’re only there to “serve the residents of your particular district”, either defer from voting on issues in other areas or allow those of us living where the impact of your decisions will befall us to have the opportunity to contact you directly.
Very truly yours,
(Ms.) Eddie S. Maddock
Sedona, Arizona 86336
Kirkpatrick is delusional again! The Dems have rejected 100% of every single GOP proposal since they seized control of BOTH Houses of Congress in 2006. The Dems have an OVERWHELMING majority in BOTH Houses.
What doesn’t the radical Liberal Kirkpatrick blame Bush like Obama still does to this very day. The Dem majority is over November 2nd. Just watch, the Lame Duck Senate will try to ram through all sorts of ruinous legislation like Cap & Trade even though they KNOW the American people have rejected whole-sale the Dems rush towards National Socialism.
I totally agree with her! That has all that the republicans have done since Obama became president “The party of No” . No working together at all,the goal was have Obama fail to prove what? America needs solutions not more problems. I say to them all “it is time to grow up and work for the people and America” I suggest we all grow up work on solutions, end your hate and control issues now before it is too late for you and our country.
Tarri
I don’t know how much land people of this state think should be set aside, but the West has a lot more land already set aside than any other state east of the great divide. There is no reason the land can’t be managed for all in this state without designating vast areas scenic.
Tom Griffiths in Scottsdale: read this and bet Kirkpatrick lost a few unionowned congresspeople in so called “paybackville”-gotta despise DC–put them all out of office & teach them to listen–if no one has seniority, we’ll get a better congress! let’s start new–it’s not rocket science, it’s listening to the people & doing your job for the people based on the best for all not a select few. Here’s what i just read so hope that you’ll print it for others to read:
Nearly a quarter of the House Democratic freshman class has not signed on to co-sponsor the controversial card-check bill, despite being showered with campaign contributions by organized labor.
Many of these Democrats represent battleground districts, and their reluctance to support the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) reflects worries it would affect their reelection in 2010. Business groups staunchly opposed to the bill campaigned against supporters in 2008.
But by not supporting the bill, which would make it easier for workers to forum unions, the freshmen risk alienating labor groups that could help them remain in Congress.
“Their decision not to co-sponsor raises an issue that will have to be addressed to their constituents,” said Bill Samuel, legislative director for the AFL-CIO. “It’s really between them and their local union members, many of whom walked precincts for them.”
The seven freshmen who did not sign their names to the bill represent some of the most competitive districts in the country.
Reps. Bobby Bright (D-Ala.), Walt Minnick (D-Idaho) and Parker Griffith (D-Ala.) all won with less than 52 percent of the vote. Reps. Frank Kratovil (D-Md.) and Tom Perriello (D-Va.) each required a recount to claim their seats. Only Reps. Glenn Nye (D-Va.) and Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) won by comfortable margins.
Glenn Shannon, the National Assn. of Realtors along with related development seem to agree with you, the only difference being that their lobbying against the National Scenic Area designation clearly indicates that they don’t think the specified scenic area, as it presently exists, should be managed for “all in this state”. Otherwise they wouldn’t be so adamant in opposing the protective measure, namely NSA, which would prohibit USFS land exchanges. Where was all the fuss when the “Wilderness” designation slipped through Congress not too many years ago? Maybe that action, having occurred without so much publicity, is what served as a “heads-up” for future measures to protect scenic areas? Look closely and seriously at the opposition to the designation and ulterior motives become quite evident. Of course, it’s possible that maybe you are one of them?
Sorry James I am just a simple retired home owner with no interest in selling or buying any property. I just look at how much of the state is already government owned compared to the rest of the nation and think there has to be a limit. To some people the whole state should be protected from any development. Somewhere there has to be a limit to how much is preserved and how this land is used. To the south we have a huge areas that is not even safe to go in but little is said of this and protecting this area from being trashed. We just seem to want to protect more area without making a lot of the area already protected even safe to go into. So somewhere there has to be a limit of those that want to protect everything.
Will the Real Ann Kirkpatrick Please Stand Up?
With 34 days until the November 2nd election, CD 1 Representative, Ann Kirkpatrick, Democrat, has downplayed her party affiliation to position herself as an independent. Independent?
On August 5, 2010 Ann Kirkpatrick said: “Our country is heading towards a disastrous fiscal crisis. Everyone seems to understand that except the federal government – which has failed again and again to take common-sense steps to get us back on course”. Just five days later, August 10, 2010, Kirkpatrick returned to DC and along with House Democrats pushed through an enactment of a $26 billion “jobs bill” carefully tailored to please public-sector unions.
Kirkpatrick voted for the $862 Billion failed stimulus that was to keep unemployment under eight percent; Kirkpatrick voted for the 2 Trillion dollar democrat health care takeover that the majority of Americans oppose and Kirkpatrick dodged District 1 constitutents in August because of her irresponsible actions in voting for many bills that contributed to the additional 3.5 Trillion Dollar debt amassed in just 19 months into Kirkpatrick’s term.
So, tell us Ms. Kirkpatrick how can you claim to be a fiscal conservative when you have helped to amass the largest debt in this nation’s history; a debt which our children and grandchildren will be burdened with for the rest of their existence; a debt that will make it very difficult for our nation’s economy to prosper once again? You are running away from the Democrat party and trying to persuade your constitutents that you are an independent; Ms. Kirkpatrick, your voting record does not back up your rhetoric. You are just another politician who speaks from both sides of the mouth.
Ms. Kirkpatrick, you had your chance and you failed. Arizona’s jobless rate has hovered at 9.6 percent for three straight months; each Arizonan’s share of the national debt is $43,522.34 and tax payers will see the largest tax increases in American history in January 2011, if you Ms. Kirkpatrick return to Washington. Ms. Kirkpatrick, you know what you have done is appalling and you think you can get away with it by distancing yourself from your party affiliation.
Not so Ms. Kirkpatrick, the District I constituents you have ignored, will elect your replacement on November 2, 2010.
How did Arizona Congressional Representatives Vote? Here’s how: The numbers after the State designation denotes the Congressional District the Representative is elected to serve: i.e., Rep. Kirkpatrick represents District 1 and Rep. Giffords represents District 8.
AZ 1 Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick Democratic Y
AZ 2 Rep. Trent Franks Republican N
AZ 3 Rep. John Shadegg Republican N
AZ 4 Rep. Ed Pastor Democratic Y
AZ 5 Rep. Harry Mitchell Democratic Y
AZ 6 Rep. Jeff Flake Republican N
AZ 7 Rep. Raúl Grijalva Democratic Y
AZ 8 Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Democratic Y
“Republicans Who Voted Yes or No Vote” on Arizona Kirkpatrick’s NSA Bill:
Republicans who voted YES:
Delaware Rep. Mike Castle, At-Large
California Rep. Mary Bono Mack, District 45
Hawaii Rep. Charles Djou, District 1
Iowa Rep. Thomas Latham, District 4
Michigan Rep. Vernon Ehlers, District 3
Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, District 1
New Jersey Rep. Christopher Smith, District 4
North Carolina Rep. Walter Jones Jr, District
Ohio Rep. Michael Turner, District 3
Ohio Rep. Steven LaTourette, District 4
Ohio Rep. Patrick Tiberi, District 12
Washington Rep. David Reichertd, District 8
Republicans Not Voting against the NSA bill:
Texas Rep. K. Michael Conaway, District 11
Oklahoma Rep. Mary Fallin, District 5
Florida Rep. C.W. Young, District 10
New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett, District 5
Missouri Rep. Roy Blunt, District 7
Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann, District 6
The above tally provided a net gain for Rep. Kirkpatrick’s NSA bill of 18 Republican votes in favor or not voting against the NSA.
Unfortunately, Kirkpatrick lost 8 valuable Democratic votes in those Not Voting for the NSA bill:
Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek Sr, District 17
Alabama Rep. Artur Davis, District 7
Alabama Rep. Bobby Bright, District 2
California Rep. Michael Honda, District 15
Oklahoma Rep. David Boren, District 2
Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio, District 4
Oregon Rep. Kurt Schrader, District 5
New York Rep. John Hall, District 19
Key Votes:
HR 4823
Issues: Environmental Issues
Date: 09/23/2010
Sponsor: Rep. Kirkpatrick, Ann (D-AZ)
Roll no. 538
Bill Failed
(House)
How members voted
(258 – 160)
Project Vote Smart’s Synopsis: For further status information, call the Voter’s Research Hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART (1-888-868-3762).
NOTE: THIS VOTE WAS TAKEN UNDER A SUSPENSION OF THE RULES TO CUT OFF DEBATE EARLY AND VOTE TO PASS THE BILL, THEREBY REQUIRING A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY FOR PASSAGE.
Link to Legislation: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:hr4823:
House Passage: 09/23/2010 : Bill Failed 258 – 160 (Roll no. 538)
NOTE: THIS VOTE WAS TAKEN UNDER A SUSPENSION OF THE RULES TO CUT OFF DEBATE EARLY AND VOTE TO PASS THE BILL, THEREBY REQUIRING A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY FOR PASSAGE.
Sponsor:
Rep. Kirkpatrick, Ann (D-AZ)
Why is Ann Kirkpatrick Not Running on her Record? In the words of Will Rogers, the only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets. Ann Kirkpatrick, Representative, CD 1, has returned home in October without stopping the Obama tax hikes scheduled to hit taxpayers in January 2011; returned home without passing a budget this year; returned home with unemployment just slightly under 10% nationally; returned home with a national debt just under 14 Trillion dollars; returned home with a failed $867 Billion stimulus that was suppose to create 5 Million new jobs; and returned home with a $2 Trillion democrat takeover of your health care decisions.
So, why is CD 1 Representative, Ann Kirkpatrick, not running her re-election based on her record above? Why is Kirkpatrick distancing herself from her voting record over the past 21 months? Why is Kirkpatrick trying to distance herself from her Democrat party affiliation claiming she is an independent? Why is Ann Kirkpatrick attacking her opponent and avoiding the real issues that CD 1 constituents want Kirkpatrick to address?
Last spring, when the President demanded that Congress pass his health care bill, he said that if Americans didn’t like it, “then that’s what elections are for.” Taxpayers, that election is November 2, 2010.
Let us not forget on this election day, it is We The People, not We The Government.
as Democrats we are unpleasantly surprised that Ann Kirkpatrick is shunning the constituency here in Flagstaff and Sedona and other heavily Democratic areas that supported her in the past–she plays cat and mouse with those of us who contact her office and as a senior I am disgusted with the KIDS who manage her office-they are arrogant and ill-equipped to represent her–send them back to college and or to the political organizations who trained them to be brainless lip synching twits-or how about an unemployment office Ann for them so that they can experience real life? Count our votes as not guaranteed and maybe staying at home and we’re definitely DISGUSTED.
First, let me make a point of clarification relating to my initial comments to Ann Kirkpatrick. My reason for contacting her in the first place was because of the unavailability of the Republican delegates who refused contact from anyone outside their own districts. My only intention was to have the opportunity to plead my own case regarding a National Scenic Area designation in the area where I live.
Most, if not all, of the other comments posted under the article of reference, which to my interpretation specifically deals with the NSA (H.R. 4823) as well as expanding Casa Grande Ruins Nat’l. Monument (H.R. 5110), both of which are Arizona issues, have nothing to do with either of these issues.
Had the Republican delegates to whom I attempted to contact made themselves available, I would have been afforded the opportunity to express my opinion directly to them, thereby eliminating the need to go through Rep. Kirkpatrick in order to request for her to do so.
I have to wonder why the grievances unrelated to the two land preservation House Bills weren’t addressed in separate letters to the editor instead of being tacked onto the subject at hand: H.R. 4823 and H.R. 5110?