Congressman (D-OR)
Democratic Congressman for Oregon’s 3rd District, which includes most of the city of Portland and Multnomah and Clackamas counties; and member of the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees, as well as the new Select Committee on Energy Independence and Climate Change; founder and Chairman of the Congressional Bicycle Caucus
The Federal Dilemma over States Rights and Marijuana Federal law says marijuana's more dangerous than cocaine — as bad as heroin. Yet a lot has changed since the Federal Controlled Substances Act became law in 1970, and 52 percent of Americans want it legalized for recreational use. Colorado and Washington are the first states to go that far, but medical marijuana has been approved by voters in 18 states and the District of Columbia. What's the Obama Administration to do? A crackdown might lead to a backlash. But can it enforce the law differently in different parts of the country? Statements by the Drug Czar, the Attorney General and even the President are hard to reconcile. We look at the available options.
Is the Fight against Global Warming Already Lost? In his first week as President, Barack Obama called for urgent measures to combat global warming. At the same time, researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research released discouraging new findings . If carbon dioxide levels were cut back to pre-industrial levels, it would still take 1000 years to reverse the climate change that have already happened.
Is Climate Change Irreversible? Just as President Obama cracks down on climate change , scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research have issued discouraging new findings . This new “wake-up call” says that if carbon dioxide levels were cut back to pre-industrial levels, it would still take 1000 years to reverse the climate change that's already happened. Does that mean the effort is not worth the trouble, or that it's time to get serious before it's really too late? Can new, innovative technology make a difference? Is it contradictory to beef up production and consumer consumption at the same time greenhouse gases are being reduced? Is the real problem too many people?
To Drill or Not to Drill The price of oil crossed the $100-a-barrel threshold at the first of this year. Last week, it hit a record $147, then dropped below $130. But it's creeping up again today. Nobody expects to see $100 a barrel ever again. That means high gasoline prices are here to stay. From President Bush on down, Republicans are advocating an end to the moratorium on off-shore oil drilling. High gas prices are increasing public support, even though there would be no direct impact for decades. We hear from Congressmen on both sides of what's shaping up as a major election-year issue. Would the declared intention to expand domestic supplies send the right message to oil producers and speculators around the world? Should oil companies drill first on land they've already leased? What about seizing the moment to get off oil and deal with global warming?
Climate Change: International Challenge and Business Opportunity Receiving the Nobel Prize today, Al Gore warned that failure to act against global warming will mean "mutually assured destruction." He had strong words for the US and China, two of the 190 nations meeting in Bali to hash out guidelines for a new treaty for reducing greenhouse gases. With a turnabout by Australia's newly elected prime minister, the United States is the only industrialized nation opposed to setting mandatory reductions of greenhouse gases. The Bush Administration backs private sector initiatives for energy savings and alternative energy sources. In Los Angeles, there's a meeting of entrepreneurs, manufacturers and investors who see climate change not just as a challenge, but an opportunity. What are they doing to reverse climate change and cope with a process that's already well under way? Can LA and other cities cash in on a new international industry created by global warming?
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
