West Texas Legislative Summit turns eyes to agriculture

By Jerry Lackey

Congress often has been cited for doing nothing or overreacting, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison told a packed room of farmers, ranchers and agriculture leaders Thursday at the sixth annual West Texas Legislative Summit in San Angelo.

Texas’ senior senator pointed to several issues before Congress that fall under the “overreacting” heading. She said three bills that will cost future generations billions to pay out include the health reform proposal being pushed by President Barack Obama, the Clean Water Restoration Act and the cap-and-trade energy bill. Hutchison’s criticisms hit home with the audience and brought her a standing ovation.

Hutchison said she believes the cap-and-trade bill passed by the House is another example of overreacting. Known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, the legislation addresses climate change or global warming and is scheduled for Senate debate in September.

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