This is another week where voters in Arizona and the country can see the vast differences between the two major political parties.
And not for the Republican’s benefit.
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, President Biden, with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Governor Katie Hobbs, Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Representative Raul Grijalva, Representative Greg Stanton, and various tribal leaders toured the Grand Canyon area of the state, proclaiming a National Monument in the 1,562 square miles north and south of the park that would protect the cultural heritage of the local Havasupai and Hopi tribes, as well as the animals and environment from uranium mining, local, and state Republicans, whined, holding local hearings in Kingman, accusing the Biden/Harris Administration for overreach on the 1906 Antiquities Act and making the country dependent on other nations for precious mineral imports.
They also, through their “think tank” The Heritage Foundation are devising strategies, should they regain the Oval Office, to turn the clock on the Biden/Harris Administration Strategies toward clean and greener energy and combatting extreme heat and climate change in favor of drilling for…wait for it…fossil fuels.
In his remarks on the creation of the newly named Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument, the President commented:
“…America’s natural wonders are our nation’s heart and soul. That’s not hyperbole; that’s a fact. They unite us. They inspire us. A birthright we pass down from generation to generation…
And folks, it’s not hyber- — hyperbole to suggest that there is no national treasure — none that is grander than the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon, one of the Earth’s nine wonders — wonders of the world, literally. Think of that. You know, it’s amazing. An enduring symbol of America to the entire world….The first time I saw the Grand Canyon, years ago, I was a young senator. As I stood there and looked out, a phrase came to mind. It was instinctive. I said this must be — this is God’s cathedral. That’s what it reminded me of. It just is so magnificent…And so, today, I’m proud to use my authority under the Antiquities Act to protect 1 — almost 1 million acres of public land around Grand Canyon National Park as a new national monument to help right the wrongs of the past and conserve this land of ancestral footprints for all future generations…”
“…Today’s action is going to protect and preserve that history along with these high plateaus and deep canyons, majestic red cliffs over 300 million years old — older than the — the oldest dinosaur ever known; central to the creation stories of so many Tribal people and so many Tribal nations; fundamental to who we are, to their way of life, to their most sacred ceremonies. Ancestors are buried here, eternal sources of reverence and healing. These lands also support a range of ecosystems and plants from savannas to sagebrush to ponderosa pine. A haven of hironic [iconic] species like bats, bison, bighorn sheep, and nearly 450 kinds of birds, including the bald and golden eagles. They are the historic home of 3,000 cultural sites — cliff houses, cave paintings — ancient spots that help us understand the history of these civilizations. They also are key to building resilience to drought and climate change. Creeks and streams flowing into the Colorado River, supporting farms and ranches across the Southwest and bringing clean water to 40 million Americans…”
President Biden also repeated his warning about MAGA Republicans wanting to go backward, stating:
“But some MAGA extremists in Congress are trying to undo it all. I didn’t get any help from the guys on the other team. Every single, solitary person voted against this historic clean energy investment. And now many of them are trying again to repeal these parts of the bills, but we won’t let them. There’s too much at stake.”
Later the President’s team submitted several posts on social media, including:
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, who was at the event, also posted:
Representative Stanton, who was also at the event, issued a release where he said:
“For those of us who call Arizona home, the Grand Canyon is more than a tourist destination—it’s one of the most special and sacred places in the world, a spectacular recreational mecca in our very own backyard.
And because it’s in our state, we have a special duty to protect it so that our children and future generations can also bask in its breathtaking beauty.
It’s why I’m so proud that earlier today, I joined President Biden as he created the new Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument to protect 1 million acres of land next to the Grand Canyon National Park—honoring the deep ties that many of our Native American tribes have with the land and safeguarding it against future uranium mining.
It may be difficult to believe, but powerful special interests want to mine this pristine land when the 20-year uranium mining moratorium is over. The President’s actions today make that moratorium permanent, answering the call of several of us in Congress who want to protect these lands and our water supply from the devastating impact of uranium mining.
I’m grateful for this new monument that will protect even more area around the Grand Canyon—and I’ll continue working to safeguard Arizona’s water supply and natural resources.”
President Biden and the Arizona Democrats also Celebrated the Year Anniversary of the CHIPS and Science Act.
Yesterday, August 9 2023 marked the one-year anniversary of the signing of the CHIPS and Science Act, a measure designed to revolutionize American Manufacturing, especially in science and technology fields like semiconductors.
It is also a law all the Republican members of the Arizona House Republican Delegation opposed.
In a statement commemorating the anniversary, President Biden said:
“In the year since I signed this legislation into law, companies have announced over $166 billion to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States. These investments are creating jobs and opportunities in communities across the country – from Ohio to Arizona, Texas, and New York. And, in the last year alone, at least 50 community colleges have announced new or expanded programs to help American workers access good-paying jobs in the semiconductor industry.
The CHIPS and Science Act is a key part of my Bidenomics agenda to bring investment and opportunity to every corner of the country. Over the coming months, my Administration will continue to implement this historic law, make sure American union workers, small businesses, and families benefit from investments spurred by the CHIPS and Science Act, and make America once again a leader in semiconductor manufacturing and less dependent on other countries for our electronics or clean energy supply chains.”
Please click here to read the White House report on how the law has positively impacted the country so far.
On social media, the President’s team authored three postings, including:
“One year after the CHIPS Act was signed into law I’m proud Arizona’s semiconductor industry has seen rapid growth, driven by high-quality training programs from industry partners and universities. Learn more about our world-class semiconductor workforce here: https://azcommerce.com/media/25jeawr0/arizona-semiconductor-workforce-fact-sheet.pdf”
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, whose city now houses a branch of the being constructed Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Plant, also hailed the one-year anniversary, relaying in a press release:
“In the year since President Biden signed into law this historic legislation, the Phoenix area has seen explosive growth in the semiconductor manufacturing space. This investment is creating thousands of great-paying jobs for Phoenicians, boosting our local economy, and most importantly, giving the whole United States a leg up to stay competitive on the world stage. Phoenix is excited and proud to become the nation’s semiconductor hub, and we are looking forward to the many successes that are still to come from the CHIPS and Science Act.”
She later posted on social media:
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero also posted:
Representative Stanton also commented:
“One year ago today, we passed the CHIPS and Science Act to invest in our nation’s workforce and solidify our spot as the world leader in technology.
It is paying dividends for Arizona.
Last month, the Administration named Phoenix as one of just five hubs in the nation to build a workforce. That designation means the federal government has already started to work with local leaders, educators, employers, and unions to create a talent pipeline to bolster our workforce.
This is one of the many reasons why I pushed the CHIPS Act into law.”
Arizona Democratic Party Chair Yolanda Bejarano offered in an official statement:
“One year since President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law, domestic manufacturing is booming, jobs are coming back, and America’s economy is leading on the world stage. President Biden and chief negotiator of the CHIPS Act Senator Mark Kelly – with no help from Arizona’s Republican delegation who all opposed the bipartisan legislation – have helped us supercharge our competitiveness with China, strengthen our supply chains, and invest in the industries of the future. That’s Bidenomics in action.”
When voters go to the polls next year, there is an actual choice.
Do they want the leaders who protected the environment and advanced science and domestic manufacturing in the semiconductor and clean energy STEM fields?
Or do they want the ones that want to drill baby drill and not worry about contamininating the Earth and water supply?
Tough decision.
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