Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2011

CONTACT:Hannah Loy 202-225-2315

Rep. Gosar Debunks Comments by Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer

Today, U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, DDS (AZ-01) issued the following statement in response to Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer’s recent series of comments claiming “that there are no Republican jobs bills” pending and that “the Democrats are trying to increase American manufacturing.”

“The Democratic Whip errs.  First, I sponsored H.R. 1904, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act, that will create over 1,400 direct mining jobs, 2,300 indirect jobs (3,700 total jobs), add $220 million in annual wages, and bring an estimated $61.4 billion in revenue to the state of Arizona over the 50-year life of the copper mine, plus billions in royalties and taxes to the federal government.  My bill will allow a mine to proceed that will produce 25% of our copper needs and almost eliminate our copper imports.   Finally, this bill will provide a domestic source of copper for America’s needs, including the massive amounts of copper needed for wind turbines, electric vehicles, the defense industry and energy infrastructure.  

I assume Mr. Hoyer will encourage his fellow Democrats to vote for H.R. 1904 since they are now taking the position that private job creation is good.  As for making it in America, we can start with mining it in America, and then refining it in America—then you can make it in America.  But the Democrats seem hell bent on not allowing any mining in America.   

Let me also say this to the Democratic Whip:  Today, the Democratic Administration froze one million acres of land in Arizona and Utah and seeks to forever prevent uranium mining on lands that were reserved for uranium mining.   This action will cost thousands of jobs and $30 billion in economic activity.  I ask Mr. Hoyer to look into this travesty as he investigates job creation in America.  While he is looking into the shut down of the American uranium mining industry and the future of American independence from foreign uranium supplies, I also ask Mr. Hoyer to look into the frivolous lawsuits that shut down commercial logging in Arizona and led to the largest fires in Arizona history.  You want jobs in America?  Let’s start with copper mining, uranium mining and logging.   Mr. Hoyer, join me in actually getting our country back to work instead of just talking about it” Gosar said.  

Dr. Paul Gosar is serving his first term in Congress as the Representative to Arizona’s First Congressional District.  As a healthcare provider and small business owner, Gosar is focused on bringing jobs back to the district, reforming health care, reining in government spending and ensuring that his constituents are involved in the solution process.  Gosar encourages his constituents to share their ideas by contacting him online atwww.gosar.house.gov. 

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