Have You Hugged Your Tree Today?

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 22) -- Today is Earth Day, and Democrats and environmental activists are saying the number one threat to the environment is the GOP-controlled Congress.

"It's the grinch that stole Earth Day," the League of Conservation Voters declared. Said Defenders of Wildlife president Rodger Schlickeisen: "Everything that Earth Day stands for is endangered by the 104th Congress."

Republicans are crying foul. Armed with an internal administration memo that listed Earth Day events in over two dozen targeted GOP districts, Republicans say Democratic strategists are turning a non-partisan tribute for the environment into a political event. "It's become apparent that (Earth Day) is not a nonpartisan celebration, but rather a political event aimed at Election Day," sniffed Rep. Thomas Bliley (R-Va.), chairman of the House Commerce Committee.

Environmental Protection Administrator Carol Browner (64K WAV sound) maintains "We haven't targeted any districts," according to the Associated Press. "What we do on Earth Day is no different than what the Veterans Department does on Veterans Day," she said.

But with polls showing the voters trust Democrats more than Republicans to safeguard the environment, Democrats can be expected to press this advantage against the GOP often and hard during the election season. "You can't plant a tree one day and cast a vote that kills trees the next," declared House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) at a GOP-bashing news conference last week (128K WAV sound).

House Speaker Newt Gingrich says the GOP is working on legislation to overhaul laws for safe drinking water, endangered species protection and toxic waste cleanup. Meanwhile, 41 Senate Democrats have sent a letter to Gingrich threatening to kill any legislation that weakens protections on those fronts.

Related Sites:

Earth Day '96

AllPolitics home page

Have You Hugged Your Tree Today?

Related Stories:

Related Sites: