Albert Wynn + 15 years = A Series of Attempts
Congressman Albert Wynn – Attempting to Set the Record Straight
Temple Hills, MD – Congressman Albert Wynn appeared today on The Washington Post chat and answered several questions. Ever since Donna Edwards challenged him in last year’s primary, Congressman Wynn has attempted to set the record straight. However, below is the truth about his record on several issues that he discussed in the chat.
Here is the link to the entire transcript:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2007/07/30/DI2007073001123.html
Note: each question and response was directly copied and pasted from the above link.
Bethesda, Md.: Rep. Wynn: It would be helpful to get your views on the outlook of energy legislation in the House, and on your own policy views on this important topic.
Rep. Albert Wynn: As a member of the Energy in Congress committee, I believe we have taken a good first stem in terms of energy efficiency in the bill we passed this summer, which includes standards for heating and air conditioning systems. I worked on standards for light bulbs and an efficiency block grant program to allow cities and towns to partner with the federal government on energy independence. I think it's good that it supports alternative energy, and we were able to get in a modest renewable fuel standard as well as new technologies including wind and solar. We have a lot more to do this fall, including a cap-and-trade system to specifically tackle emissions. I am the chair of the hydrogen caucus to use that as one alternative. Fundamentally when you have to create a new green economy. We have to utilize federal policies to incentivize the private investment in green technologies, green construction and alternative fuels. This will create new jobs and bring in the era of a greener economy.
TRUTH – Despite his current pro-environment rhetoric, Congressman Wynn has been no friend to the environment in years past. Congressman Wynn voted for President Bush's controversial Energy Bill from 2003 until its passage in 2005 (HR 6, House Vote 630, 11/18/03; HR 6, House Vote 132, 4/21/05; HR 6, House Vote 445, 7/28/05), which among other things, provided billions in tax breaks for oil companies, gave cities more time to reduce smog pollution, while only 5 percent of the bill's $8 billion in tax breaks was to promote efficiency and clean energy. He also voted to allow exemptions to the Clean Air Act (HR 6, House Vote 598, 10/30/03) and against higher fuel efficiency standards (HR 6, House Vote 121, 4/20/05). It is also of note that Congressman Wynn has received more than $235,000 in campaign contributions from energy and electricity companies during his time in Congress, including from Constellation Energy which has applied to build the country's first new nuclear reactor in decades just miles from the 4th Congressional District.
Bethesda, Md.: Sen. Kennedy is preparing a new bill to further increase the minimum wage. Would you support this and be willing to consider cosponsoring this bill?
Rep. Albert Wynn: Yes, absolutely. Every years since I've been in Congress I've either sponsored or cosponsored such legislation. I think it's critical to our economy to provide a decent standard of living. That is part of the American Dream and I think it's critical that a high minimum wage underpin our economy.
TRUTH – Actually, in 1999 when Marylanders in Montgomery County fought for a living wage (a wage that is indexed to inflation that will have a significant impact on raising individuals out of poverty), Congressman Wynn stated he was "horrified" at the idea (Washington Post, 7/22/99). Instead, he has taken at least $11,000 in contributions from Wal-Mart and voted on their behalf regarding advanced notice before investigations on child labor violations (HR 3010, House Vote 318, 6/24/05). Notably, he's received $6,500 from Accenture (formerly Anderson Consulting) who is helping Washington Gas eliminate 300 jobs located in the 4th Congressional District.
Silver Spring, Md.: Congressman, thanks for taking my question. Three times in the past two years I have written your office about matters of some importance, most particularly public health. At no time did I received so much as an acknowledgement from your office that the letters had been read. I don't write this out of bitterness but frustration. I am a life-long Democrat and belong to no special interest group. My letters were written solely in response to front-page stories in The Post. So what gives? What does it take to get your office to take notice?
Rep. Albert Wynn: Please call us *right now*. we will attempt to find your letters and we will attempt to get you an answer. I apologize for the problem and don't know what happened. Call us at 202-225-8699 and we will work diligently to correct this oversight.
TRUTH – Providing constituent services is one of the most important responsibilities for a representative. However, Congressman Wynn will only ATTEMPT to find letters and ATTEMPT to get an answer? This is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of neglect. A March 22, 2007, Gazette newspaper article describes the experiences of Army Sgt. Charles Eggleston, a wounded Iraq war veteran. "Frustrated by the lack of attention [from Walter Reed], Eggleston said he first tried to seek help from U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn (D-Dist. 4) of Mitchellville, since he used to live in Wynn's neighborhood. But his correspondence went unanswered, Eggleston said. Upset by the lack of response, Eggleston's wife, Pamela Stokes-Eggleston, and other family members sent letters to various other members of Congress, hoping for help."
Whether you're an individual seeking answers on policy matters, a senior or veteran seeking services from federal agencies, a small business person inquiring about federal business opportunities, or a student seeking an internship, Maryland's 4th Congressional District deserves a congressperson who is fully dedicated and proactive in providing sufficient, timely constituent services.
Aberdeen, Md.: Thanks for doing this chat! What are your thoughts on the Death Tax, and what are the chances that there will be any legislation on it this session?
Rep. Albert Wynn: I don't think there will be any legislation on it. I have reconsidered my views on it. While I'm concerned about the impact on small businesses, I think the distribution of wealth in this country is a major problem and I don't think the country at this time can repeal that tax. I think the bigger thing right now is to address the alternative minimum tax to ensure middle-class taxpayers are not unduly burdened. As a general matter wealthy taxpayers are able to address their estates sufficiently, but the middle class and lower classes are where our resources ought to be directed.
TRUTH – Congressman Wynn has voted consistently to eliminate the estate tax (death tax) (HR 8, House Vote 84, 4/4/01; HR 8, House Vote 287, 6/18/03; HR 8, House Vote 102, 4/13/05). Despite the Congressman's current rhetoric, we face shortfalls for schools, healthcare, alternative energy, infrastructure maintenance and other pressing needs. The Congressman's estate tax repeal for the wealthiest one-half of one percent has a detrimental impact on the federal budget, especially at a time of war, for which we are currently spending around $3 billion a week in Iraq. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), "permanent repeal of the estate tax would cost more than $1 trillion over the first ten years in which its cost would be fully felt, 2012-2021."
In addition, CBPP concludes that "despite oft-repeated claims that the estate tax has dire consequences for family farms and small businesses, there is in fact very little evidence that it has an outsize impact on these groups." They site a Congressional Budget Office report that states "the number of taxable farm estates drops to 65 nationwide at a $3.5 million exemption level, the level that takes effect in 2009. The number of taxable family-owned business estates falls to just 94 under the $3.5 million exemption." http://www.cbpp.org/pubs/estatetax.htm
"Congressman Wynn's current rhetoric doesn't square with his record," said Donna Edwards. "The Congressman must be held accountable for his 15-year record of votes that harm Marylanders -- in support of the tax breaks for oil and gas companies at a time of record profits, bankruptcy laws that reward bank and credit card companies and hurt consumers who are losing homes, against pro-environmental legislation, and a lack of leadership regarding the war in Iraq. The voters of this district want a representative who shares their goals and priorities. A closer look at Congressman Wynn's financial contributions shows that he will continue to be beholden to large corporations and special interests instead of his constituents."
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