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The Natural Resources Defense Council has done outstanding work on behalf of our environment. They are no doubt a progressive group that deserves our support and has proved again and again their worth in our movement as advocates for the environment.
But in a recent post here calling on constituents to tell Congressman Dan Maffei he got it right by voting for the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) and Congressman Eric Massa got it wrong by voting against the bill. The vote was close, with 219 representatives voting for the clean energy bill and 212 voting against it.
In criticizing Massa's vote, the NRDC said the following in their post:
Some members of Congress, however, decided to put political expediency the pocketbooks of polluters ahead of our environmental health, better jobs, and breaking our dangerous addiction to foreign oil with a NO vote. Unfortunately, Eric Massa belongs to this group, and it almost worked, too -- this historic legislation passed by a mere seven votes.
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Both Congressmen are holding events this weekend. If you're in the area of either, please come and tell Rep. Massa he got it wrong, and commend Rep. Maffei for getting it right, and show your support for this historic legislation as it moves to the Senate, where it needs to be strengthened, so we can reach the full potential of our clean energy future and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
When Massa voted against the bill, he issued a statement explaining why he voted no.
"Today I voted against the Cap and Trade bill because of several concerns," said Congressman Eric Massa. "Let me begin by saying that I know global warming is real and we must take steps to address this situation, however I don't think this proposal takes us in the right direction. I was also deeply concerned by the fact that hydrogen fuel cell technology did not receive any attention in this legislation. Additionally, my constituents have told me in overwhelming levels that they wanted me to reject this plan, and as their Representative, I take their opinions very seriously. I was also upset by how rushed this process was. We have a district work week coming up and I would have liked the opportunity to hold more townhall meetings while this issue is on the front burner to hear what the families of Western New York thought about Cap and Trade."
"To all those who are disappointed by my vote, I want you to know that I had to vote against this bill because I know there is a better way to promote clean energy, create green jobs and protect our environment. The devil is in the details and the details of this bill worked against the goals and requirements of the 29th Congressional District. Sometimes in Congress, you have to vote no to get a better bill."
The NRDC, not Massa, got it wrong here. The NRDC's critique of Massa's vote makes it seem as if Massa is siding with polluters and the Republicans who would rather not address the critical problem of global warming and climate change. Republicans have also been hesitant in addressing the green economy, which could be key to several areas of the country, including Western New York.
But Massa is not opposed to those things, nor is he is taking sides with polluters. Even though the NRDC makes it seem that (on their Facebook page, they encourage people to go to Massa's town hall meetings this weekend and question his vote because he "said no to jobs") Massa was helping polluters and siding with Republicans.
What Massa really wants is a better bill. In his statement, he mentioned a few different things that are worth highlighting:
- The lack of attention paid to hydrogen fuel cell technology. Massa has a hydrogen fuel cell plant right in his district, so him being concerned about that is a reasonable issue to bring up.
- The impact on farmers. Massa represents a district that is loaded with farmland and farming communities. He was worried about how this would affect small farms and farmers and their limited budget during these difficult times. That is also a reasonable concern.
- Massa offers the hint that if a better bill came forth, he would vote for it. Instead of the NRDC (and others) having these protests against Massa, they should be working with him and other representatives who would support a better bill and see what things need to be added to the bill to make it a better one. Right now, the approach by the NRDC is not a smart one. They should be reaching out to Massa, working for a common goal.
- Massa, as he has said in the past, put his district first. He has made it known that he isn't going to vote against the best interests of his district. He is one of the few members of Congress who is willing to do that and he isn't afraid of the criticism that will come.
The NRDC is a great group and Congressman Massa is a great congressman. There shouldn't be these public feuds (fueled by the NRDC and their thought that Massa is siding with polluters) over whether a certain vote was good or not. If Massa is saying most of his constituents called and said they wanted him to vote against it, then the NRDC will meet a brick wall at these town hall meetings. Instead of having protests, sit down with Massa and see what he would like to see in the bill. Then work to see how those changes could be implemented to make the bill a better one.
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