Udall: Partisan Politics Hurting U.S. Economy

New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall told Albuquerque business leaders Monday that partisan politics in Washington are stalling the nation’s economic recovery.

“Government gridlock keeps our economy from moving forward. So much needs to be done, so little actually is,” Udall told members of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. “We have to change that and we have to do that now. I think we have to come together and reason with each other.”

Udall, part of the Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate, said Congress’ lack of productivity is a disservice to the business community.

“These businesses that you run, the workers that you hire and manage, the products and services you sell, they can’t sustain this kind of partisanship and gridlock, and we need to sort that out for you,” Udall said.

Voters should closely review congressional candidates’ records of service to ensure they’re selecting representatives who will collaborate and compromise rather than push extreme partisan positions, Udall said.

Looking toward future job creation in New Mexico and across the U.S., Udall said the government must make all types of domestic energy production a priority.

He emphasized the need to promote what he called “new energies” for the U.S. to remain competitive in a world economy.

“I’ve long said when it comes to energy, that we need a policy of what I call ‘do it all and do it right.’ We need to develop domestic power sources, renewable energy, natural gas, domestic oil production, safe nuclear power, clean coal technology, energy efficiency and conservation all are important, and all will help us move forward,” Udall said.

That approach echoes the energy plan President Barack Obama has pushed. Obama, however, has been accused of stalling fossil fuel industries to promote renewable power sources.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, in New Mexico last week, announced his intent to expand oil and gas development while ending tax subsides for renewable energy companies.

Backing support for government support of renewable energy industries, Udall said, “The reason I think it’s important is jobs, plain and simple. … Many of the jobs of the future are going to be in alternative energy, and they’re going to require innovation.”
— This article appeared on page C2 of the Albuquerque Journal