|
|
Saturday, December 2, 2006
|
|
Oberstar: People want Iraq situation resolved
Associate Editor For Rep. Jim Oberstar, the overriding message of the 2006 election, in which Democrats took control of both the House and the Senate, centered on one issue - the war in Iraq.
Throughout the campaign, the Minnesota Democrat said people urged him to work toward changing U.S. policy in Iraq. Oberstar said voters want a change in Iraq policy and they continue to raise the issue to him as he prepares for his 16th term as the 8th Congressional District representative. While the president is commander-in-chief there is a role for Congress to play in forming policies on Iraq, he said.
"We can force the dialogue," he said. "We can push the administration to make changes."
Oberstar said there is a new dynamic that will pressure the president to scale down U.S. involvement while completing the training of the Iraqi army and police.
|
|
|
|
U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar talked in Brainerd about what the future may hold with Democrats taking control of the House and Senate. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
» Purchase reprints of this photo.
|
|
|
|
|
"The American public wants, more than anything, a resolution on Iraq," he said, noting that this week the length of the Iraq war has surpassed the length of U.S. participation in World War II.
Oberstar said the U.S. defeated the Iraqi army, toppled Saddam Hussein, saw a new government instituted and rebuilt much of the infrastructure. Now religious factions are fighting and our soldiers "are caught in the crossfire."
While rejecting a specific timetable, Oberstar said it's time to draw down U.S. troops, complete the necessary training of Iraqis, provide them with provisions and maintain a garrison of limited size in the country to help maintain order.
First elected to the House in 1974, the Chisholm native is expected to be named chair of the Transportation Committee now that the Democrats are in power. The key difference, he said, is that as chairman he'll be able to set the panel's agenda. In that capacity Oberstar pledged to confer with his Senate colleagues so that any legislation the House passes also has at least a reasonable chance to pass in the Senate.
"That's a better way to serve the public," he said.
|
|
|
|
U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar (left) toured the new Crow Wing County Judicial Center with Crow Wing County Court Administrator Darrell Paske. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
» Purchase reprints of this photo.
|
|
|
|
|
The aviation trust fund provides for airport improvements and facilities equipment. Oberstar said the fund has been depleted because the Bush administration has not proposed any increase in the general revenues that also support this fund.
The first task for Oberstar's Transportation Committee is the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. That bill will include about $25 billion in expenditures over a three-year period, determine the number of air traffic controllers and set money for the aviation trust fund.
The committee also will consider the Water Resources Development Act, which includes funds to improve the locks that facilitate grain barge traffic on the Mississippi River. Currently, Oberstar said, it takes 840 hours round-trip to travel from Clinton, Iowa, to New Orleans. That trip could be cut by between 40 and 60 hours by constructing and expanding locks, he said. Expediting barge traffic, Oberstar said could take thousands of trucks off the highways. The price tag, he said would be between $1.8 billion and $2 billion for five lock expansions. Because of concern about Corps of Engineers practices, independent analysis and review procedures have been built into the bill, he said.
|
|
|
|
Sheila Skogen of the Crow Wing County Health Department talked to Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., during a tour of the new Crow Wing County Community Services Building. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
» Purchase reprints of this photo.
|
|
|
|
|
Oberstar also would like to see dredging on the Great Lakes accelerated so that barges could carry full loads. Recent drought conditions and low water in the Great Lakes, he said, have forced barges to lighten their loads by as much as 4,500 tons.
Despite the predictions of some of continued gridlock, Oberstar sees the next two years as "a period of real vibrancy." The 72-year-old is excited to be in the majority and has no plans for retirement soon. He said his health is great and he'll continue to serve "as long as the people will have me."
MIKE O'ROURKE can be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
|
|
|
Thinking about a New Job?
These employers want you!
|
|
Schools has an opening fo...
|
|
not a
9-5 person,
how about
11-2, 4-...
|
|
CASH!!
Independent Carrier need...
|
|
position plans sales trai...
|
|
is hiring for the following
...
|
|
|
|
Bids Being Accepted
call...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Today's Best Classifieds:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overcast, 19°
