Environmental Issues Called Test Of Bipartisanship

Idaho Sen. Dirk Kempthorne on Saturday said environmental issues offer a perfect opportunity for the next Congress to test the spirit of postelection bipartisanship.

In the weekly Republican radio address, Kempthorne said the budget, Medicare and education also should be areas in which the GOP Congress and the Clinton administration can cooperate.

But reforming the Endangered Species Act should be the first test, he said, citing the bipartisan approach that helped make his Safe Drinking Water Act legislation the only environmental law signed in 1996.

“This is not a question of whether you’re pro-environment or anti-environment,” Kempthorne said in a message recorded for Saturday’s broadcast. “We are all environmentalists. Who can possibly be against our own life-support system?”

Kempthorne is chairman of the Senate Drinking Water, Fisheries and Wildlife subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over Endangered Species Act reform.

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott asked him to deliver the weekly GOP message, which the freshman also used to encourage communities to reach out to help those in need.

Kempthorne spoke specifically about Holli Shaw, a 27-year-old single mother of three from Idaho Falls. She has diabetes and cannot afford the $110,000 pancreas transplant she needs to survive.

“So the folks of Idaho Falls in just a few short weeks have already collected more than $50,000, and are working hard to raise the rest,” the senator said. “The effort has drawn the community together.”

He urged listeners to help by sending donations to “Holli for Christmas,” Box 1, Idaho Falls.

“You’ll be part of what makes this country strong,” Kempthorne said, “compassion, sharing, caring for others.”