Lieberman: ‘Put The Brakes’ On New Nuke Plants
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) called for a delay in setting up new nuclear power plants in the United States, in light of the ongoing earthquake crisis in Japan. “The reality is that we’re watching something unfold,” said Lieberman. “We don’t know where it’s going with regard to the nuclear power plants in Japan right now. I think it calls on us here in the U.S. – naturally not to stop building nuclear power plants, but to put the brakes on right now until we understand the ramifications of what’s happened in Japan.”
McConnell: Environmental Catastrophe Not ‘A Very Good Time’ To Make Energy Policy
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) defended nuclear power, saying that the United States should not back away from it in the wake of the earthquake in Japan. “This discussion reminds me, somewhat, of the conversations that were going on after the BP oil spill last year,” said McConnell. “I don’t think right after a major environmental catastrophe is a very good time to be making American domestic policy.”
Japanese P.M.’s Spokesman: ‘We Don’t Call This Situation Meltdown’
Appearing on This Week, Japanese government spokesman Nori Shikata said he expected the current number of 1,000 confirmed dead from the earthquake “will be increasing very quickly.” However, Shikata also downplayed any dangers from the country’s damaged nuclear reactor. “We don’t call this situation meltdown,” said Shikata. “This is a regulated controlled situation. The release of minute radioactive material is based on our efforts to take pre-cautionary methods.”
Japanese Ambassador: ‘Far From What You Call’ A Total Meltdown
Appearing on Meet The Press, Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki was asked by Chuck Todd whether the current measures being taken at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex were a “desperate attempt” to stop a meltdown. “I do not know if you call it a desperate, but we have tried to take other measures. But now we think this is the right and–result to do that,” said Fujisaki. “Now, as for what you call meltdown, it is true that part of fuel rod may have been deformed or melting. But it is not the situation where the core reactor, substantial part of reactor is melting down. And it is far from what you call a–the total symptom of melting down. We are trying to avoid that.”
Kyl Blames Dems For Budget Impasses
Appearing on State of the Union, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) blamed Congressional Democrats for having failed to pass a budget plan, leading to the current political battles. “Democrats were in charge of the House and Senate last year. Their job was to get a budget and fund the government, they didn’t do that,” said Kyl. “When you ask what can Republicans do? The House has put out its proposed budget for the rest of the year.”
Kevin McCarthy: ‘Look, We’re Not Going To Shut Down The Government, We Want The Democrats To Step Up’
Appearing on State of the Union, House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) criticized President Obama for insufficient communication with House Republicans on the budget. “He enlisted the Vice president to be the negotiator. They came in for one meeting then the vice president left the country and we were only funded for 2 weeks. How serious are they about solving this problem?” said McCarthy. He also added: “Look, we’re not going to shut down the government, we want the Democrats to step up. You can’t negotiate with yourself.”
Daniels: ‘We’ll Never Know’ If Bush Wars And Drug Benefits Should Have Been Paid For
Appearing on Meet The Press, Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-IN), who served as budget director under President George W. Bush, was asked whether Bush made a mistake by not trying to pay for the wars and prescription drug benefit undertaken during those years. “Well, we’ll never know,” said Daniels. “If you’d done that and you’d hurt the economy, you’d have had less revenues than, than you expected, maybe less than you had, anyway. You know, by 2007, the deficit was tiny compared to now. It was well under 2 percent of GDP. So we would love, wouldn’t we, to be back to that level now.”
