Kucinich on Energy Bill & Same Sex Marriage [View All]

Kucinich on Energy Bill

"The Energy bill, produced behind closed doors by the White House and the Republicans in Congress, is an early Christmas present to the nation's biggest polluters, largest energy monopolies, and bigwig political donors.

"The bill, rushed through the House with the ink still wet and before Members had a chance to fully review it, intends to roll back over 30 years worth of environmental safeguards and regulations. This legislation will return us in many ways back to 1970's. Our air will be dirtier, our water will be more polluted, we will be more dependent on oil, our electricity prices will escalate and we will be building more nuclear power plants. This bill will do nothing to encourage a sustainable energy future.

"The bill, which more accurately should be named the 'leave-no-special-interest-behind' bill, has over $140 billion dollars in tax give aways and direct federal spending to the oil, gas, coal and nuclear industry. With passage of this bill today, the House Republicans and the White House are simply rewarding the energy industry that contributed over $48 million to Republicans in the last election cycle.

"Our country has real energy needs. Unfortunately, this bill will do nothing to help address these needs. This bill is a sham, the effects of which will be felt for years to come."


Kucinich Applauds Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage

"As a candidate for president who publicly supports federal legislation for gay marriage, I applaud the Massachusetts Supreme Court for upholding the civil rights of citizens in their state by ruling it is unconstitutional for the state to deny marriage to gay and lesbian couples. The historic Goodridge et al. v. Department of Public Health decision can light the way for equality for all Americans.

"The effort by members of the Massachusetts state legislature to push a Denial of Marriage Act is a divisive measure. There must be federal protection for civil rights issues. Gay and lesbian couples should have equal protection under civil law. No state has a right to abridge basic rights to privacy. Separate is not equal.

"The right to marry is a civil right that should not be denied. I support federal legislation for civil marriage between same-sex couples. Civil Unions do not provide equal rights to LGBT Americans. According to a 1997 GAO report, civil marriage provides at least 1,049 legal protections and responsibilities from the federal government, including the right to take leave from work to care for a family member, the right to sponsor a spouse for immigration purposes, and Social Security survivor benefits that can make a difference between old age in poverty and old age in security. Civil unions are a kind of limbo with regard to governmental functions performed by both state and federal governments, such as taxation, pension protections, and provision of insurance for families."