"This issue involved regulation that was unclear and damaging to Idaho businesses," said CJ Buck, president of Buck Knives. "Rep. Walt Minnick and Sen. Mike Crapo really stepped up and supported an amendment that clarified and solved our issue, and that support is why Idaho continues to be so business friendly. It is a testament to our relocation to Idaho that when pending legislation is damaging to an Idaho business, our legislators partnered with us in finding a workable solution."
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“In the eight years since the tragic attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, our nation has gone through a series of transformations from a people outraged to a people now wizened by war, by tough times, by abuses of our own government. We are still outraged by terrorists who would do us harm and who prevent the spread of liberty around the world, but the events of September 11, 2001, have also left all of us more mindful of our need to fiercely protect our republic and the democratic foundation upon which it rests.
“We must eliminate the havens for terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan, yet avoid the temptation to fight terror with torture. We must be rigorous in protecting our civil liberties, including the right to speak freely and to question authority. We must honor the sacrifices of so many over the last eight years by renewing our commitment to the men and women who serve and who served this nation in uniform. And we must do all we can to show the rest of the world that we are resolute, proud and unafraid to spread a message of hope, strength and certainty of our cause.”
“Tonight’s address was a positive step forward toward returning the health-care debate to a collaborative process focused on consensus. Idahoans expect Congress and the president to pull back from the disagreements, cut the partisan bickering, focus on the basics and be willing to listen to the voices we’ve heard over the last six weeks.
“I was encouraged tonight to hear the president speak about the issues which came up again and again in discussions with my constituents: Disallowing the use of pre-existing conditions to cut coverage or increase costs. Limits on out-of-pocket expenses. No caps on coverage. And a requirement that basic preventative care and education be provided as part of every insurance policy. I am also intrigued by the president’s call for a new insurance exchange, the kind of private-sector concept so many of my constituents support.
“However, although the president spoke forcefully and eloquently, concerns remain. These reforms will not help our nation if they bankrupt our government and burden taxpayers. I also believe that a so called ‘public option’ is not the best way to hold insurance companies accountable, and would only create a new, expensive government bureaucracy. I hope these concerns can be addressed, and I hope we can move forward in a bipartisan manner toward a bill all Americans will support.”
"Walt joins other state leaders and Idaho Democrats in strongly condemning Mr. Rammell's statements. At town halls and forums around Idaho over the last month, Walt has on rare occasions heard the kind of terrible rhetoric Mr. Rammell has refused to apologize for.
Each time, Walt has said that we not only need to be respectful of each other, but also respectful of the office of the president. No matter what your party, after election day, we all want our presidents to be successful in leading the country, and that includes President Obama."