The White House says President Bush will offer “bold positive proposals” on energy and health care in his State of the Union address tonight (Tuesday). Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s heard rumors about what will be included in the speech as far as renewable fuels and the continued work to cut the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.
Grassley says it’s “especially good for us in Iowa…because our state is a leading ‘green’ energy supplier, whether it’s ethanol, whether it’s biodiesel or whether it’s wind.” The president is expected to call for more use of corn-based ethanol in gasoline blends, along with more research on things like hybrid gas-electric cars and hydrogen fuel cells.
Grassley says the state and nation will see the benefits of a greater emphasis on renewable fuels. Grassley says “Continued expansion as proposed by the president tonight is good for the environment. It’s obviously good for our national security, meaning our defense, and boy, does it help our economy in the Midwest. You oughta’ just see the price of grain, as an example.”
A White House spokesman says Bush’s address will contain the call to make health care more affordable for 100-million people. Grassley says he’s anxious to hear the proposal. Grassley says “I appreciate his leadership in putting forward a plan to help more Americans get health insurance.” While the text of the speech hasn’t been made public, Grassley says there were enough leaks in the media over the weekend to ensure health care remains one of Bush’s key issues.
Another topic will undoubtedly be the war in Iraq, and Grassley expects the president to re-state his goals in the Middle East. Grassley says “Terrorism remains a threat to (the) security of our country, let’s say security to a large part of the world and the safety and peace of mind of every one of us is very important and that’s why you’re going to hear the president talking about it.” The address is scheduled to air at 8 P.M. Central time.