Webb introduces legislation to stop technology drift to China
Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) today introduced legislation to stop technologies developed with the support of U.S. taxpayers from being given away to China or other countries.
Many American companies operating in China are required to transfer their intellectual property and proprietary technology to China as a prerequisite for doing business there. Many of these technologies were developed using U.S. tax dollars through grants, loans, loan guarantees and other federal incentives in order to make America competitive and create American jobs.
“If taxpayers supported the development of the technology, they own a piece of it and it can’t just be given away,” said Webb. “Federal dollars that go toward R&D funding, loan guarantees, and public-private partnerships in order to help develop the next generation of technologies here are supposed to be making American businesses competitive and generate American jobs—not to help develop other industries, such as those in China.”
“In cases where technologies are developed with the support of the American taxpayer, my legislation prohibits companies from transferring the technology to countries that by law, practice, or policy require proprietary technology transfers as a matter of doing business,” continued Senator Webb. “The transfer of publicly supported proprietary technologies by American firms to China — and potentially other countries — clearly and unequivocally places the competitive advantage of the American economy at risk.”
Examples of China profiting from U.S. taxpayer-funded technologies:
· General Electric has transferred valuable aviation avionics technology to state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China. The U.S. government has long supported the aviation industry through procurement initiatives and federal research projects. The fruits of U.S. taxpayer support will now be incorporated into Chinese commercial airliners, in line with Beijing’s desire to develop an internationally competitive aircraft industry that could rival U.S.-based Boeing. (Source: The Washington Post)
· Westinghouse Electric has transferred more than 75,000 documents to Chinese counterparts as the initial phase of a technology transfer agreement in exchange for a share in China’s growing nuclear market. These documents relate to the construction of four third-generation AP1000 reactors that Westinghouse is building in China. U.S. taxpayers supported the development of the AP1000 as well its predecessor, the AP600, through decades of nuclear energy research and development at the Department of Energy (DOE). Moreover, the DOE Nuclear Power 2010 program provided years of government support for the design and licensing of this reactor. (Source: The Financial Times)
· Ford Motor Company is looking to share certain proprietary technologies for electric vehicles in exchange for selling cars in China. The electric vehicle sector has enjoyed significant federal R&D funding, loan guarantees, and public-private partnerships funded by U.S. taxpayers. In 2009, Ford Motor Co. received a $5.9 billion loan guarantee from the Department of Energy to advance its vehicle technology manufacturing program. (Source: The New York Times)
A U.S. Chamber of Commerce report warns that China’s “persistent” intellectual property theft is “compounded by the indigenous innovation industrial policies which compel technology transfers in order to have access to the China market.”
In a January 2010 letter to Obama Administration officials, the heads of 19 U.S. business and industry associations—including the Business Roundtable, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the Chamber of Commerce—wrote of “[s]ystematic efforts by China to develop policies that build their domestic enterprises at the expense of U.S. firms and U.S. intellectual property.”
Webb joins group of senators urging end to ethanol tariffs, subsidies
A bipartisan group of 12 senators, led by Sens. Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), today sent a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kent.) urging them to make full elimination of costly ethanol subsidies and tariffs a priority.
In June, a measure offered by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and co-sponsored by Sen. Webb that would have terminated the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and tariffs on imported ethanol, passed with bipartisan support in a 73-27 vote and would have saved taxpayers $6 billion annually.
Earlier this month, a compromise on ethanol subsidies was reportedly reached in the Senate. Although the deal would have ended the blender credit subsidies, it proposed to create new subsidy programs to support ethanol infrastructure.
“The Senate recently voted overwhelmingly to adopt an amendment offered by Senator Feinstein to terminate the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and tariff on imported ethanol by July 1, 2011,” the Senators said in their letter. “In keeping with the results of the recent vote, we should ensure that both the VEETC and import tariff are ended as soon as possible.”
“In light of current ongoing negotiations over reducing the budget deficit, we urge you to bring the original Feinstein-Coburn amendment before the Senate again in the near future, to ensure that the approximately $6 billion in taxpayer money that is annually spent to support ethanol production is terminated.”
In response to the senators’ letter, Virginia Poultry Federation President Hobey Bauhan commented, “Ending federal ethanol supports will not only save billions in tax dollars, but will also reform misguided food to fuel policies that have devastated U.S. producers of meat and poultry by artificially increasing feed costs and harmed consumers with higher food costs. We commend and thank Senator Webb and his colleagues in the Senate who recognize that ethanol has failed to impact our dependence upon foreign oil or provide any environmental benefits.”
Sen. Webb has long been concerned about the negative effects of ethanol protections in the United States on other sectors of the economy. He has co-sponsored several legislative measures to repeal ethanol subsidies, including an amendment to tax legislation that would redirect funding from ineffective ethanol subsidies and tariffs toward advanced energy technologies and U.S. deficit reduction.
Webb calls for provisions to include Virginia in offshore energy bill
Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., today called for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to incorporate his Virginia Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Energy Production Act in pending offshore energy legislation this week.
“Outer Continental Shelf production has strong support among Virginians and their political leadership,” Webb wrote the Committee’s Chairman and Ranking Member. “I look forward to working with you to ensure that all of Virginia’s OCS energy resources are developed in a timely fashion, through a fair distribution of revenues between the federal and state government, and in an environmentally sound manner.”
In his letter, Webb also urged the Committee to expand revenue sharing provisions beyond oil and gas, to include marine renewable technologies. He also emphasized the importance of creating a more equitable OCS map for Virginia, and ensuring those resources are included in the Department of Interior’s energy production plan.
Webb has long been a proponent of opening Virginia’s outer continental shelf to oil and natural gas exploration as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing our nation’s energy needs. In 2008, he cosponsored legislation with then-Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) to allow the Commonwealth to conduct energy exploration activities in the outer continental shelf with revenue-sharing provisions. Earlier this month Senators Webb and Mark Warner introduced the Virginia Outer Continental Shelf Energy Production Act of 2011.
Webb: ‘Clarity’ needed on Afghanistan strategy
U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., said this week during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing that, in its congressionally-mandated December report, Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan, the Obama administration “must provide us some clarity, not only as to specific programs, but as to what their policies are expected to accomplish in a larger sense.”
“The argument that we are in Afghanistan because of 9/11 is true only in the sense that the presence of international terrorists inside Afghanistan at that time illuminated the overall threat,” Webb said. “International terrorism is by its very nature mobile, with the capability to operate in many areas, as we know well. Continue reading “Webb: ‘Clarity’ needed on Afghanistan strategy” »
Webb brings veterans fundraising issue to feds’ attention
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Following a multistate investigation into the legitimacy and fundraising practices of the U.S. Navy Veterans Association, Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., has brought the organization’s questionable activities to the attention of the Internal Revenue Service and requested a full report of its findings.
A 501 (c)(19) registered organization, the U.S. Navy Veterans Association has been under scrutiny since March, when the St. Petersburg Times, later joined by The Roanoke Times, began investigating the organization’s fundraising, its lobbying to relax laws covering VSOs in states such as Virginia, and the authenticity of its national and local leaders. Continue reading “Webb brings veterans fundraising issue to feds’ attention” »
Webb, Warner introduced historic-school rehab legislation
Staff Report
News tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner today introduced The Rehabilitation of Historic Schools Act of 2010, which provides a tax credit for communities to partner with private sector developers to rehabilitate the nation’s older school buildings.
“Many of our nation’s historic schools are in need of significant repairs,” said Webb. “Rehabilitating schools will drive revitalization in some of our most economically vulnerable neighborhoods, while providing our students access to safe, modern schools.”
“Nearly one-third of our country’s public school buildings were built a half century ago, and this common-sense legislation will allow state and local governments to leverage private capital to upgrade and modernize these facilities in a time of limited public resources,” Warner said. “This simple change to the 1986 IRS Code supports public education and promotes economic activity and the creation of jobs.” Continue reading “Webb, Warner introduced historic-school rehab legislation” »
Webb, Warner: Expedite development of offshore oil, gas
Staff Report
News tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner today called on the Secretary of the Interior to promptly commence steps to ensure that the Virginia Lease Sale, for the development of oil and gas resources off the coast of Virginia, remains on track for 2011.
“Support among Virginia’s political leadership for the development of oil and gas resources is strong,” the senators wrote in a joint letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “If accomplished with a fair and equitable formula for sharing of revenues between the federal and state government, Lease Sale 220 will attract well-paying jobs to the Commonwealth to support a range of projects, from the transportation sector to coastal restoration. Further, it holds significant promise for boosting needed domestic energy production.”
In June 2008, Sen. Webb cosponsored legislation with then-Sen. John Warner to allow the Commonwealth to conduct energy exploration activities in the Outer Continental Shelf, with revenue-sharing provisions. “We believe the time has come for implementing the intent of the legislation by going forward with Lease Sale 220 in a more expedited manner,” wrote Sens. Webb and Mark Warner today in their letter.
Webb: Reverse decision on Gitmo trials
Staff Report
News tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va. joined five other senators Tuesday calling for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to reverse his decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other alleged conspirators in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in civilian court rather than military commissions.
The six lawmakers, including Sens. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), expressed particular concern “about using the U.S. criminal-justice system for trying enemy combatants,” indicating that “due to time constraints and location, we strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other alleged conspirators in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.” Continue reading “Webb: Reverse decision on Gitmo trials” »
Group urges Webb, Warner to oppose Bernanke confirmation
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
A vote is expected this week on the nomination of Ben Bernanke to serve another term as the chairman of the Federal Reserve. A political action organization founded by conservative Republican Congressman Ron Paul is calling on Virginia Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner to vote no.
“The American people are speaking up loud and clear: No Fed transparency should mean no Bernanke reconfirmation,” said Campaign for Liberty President John Tate in a statement.
“Mark Warner and Jim Webb have an opportunity to show real leadership and stand with their fellow senators. Campaign for Liberty hopes they will stand up to the Big Bank special interests and support this important push for transparency,” Tate said. Continue reading “Group urges Webb, Warner to oppose Bernanke confirmation” »
Webb criminal-justice reform wins important Senate vote
Staff Report
With YouTube Video
www.webb.senate.gov
U.S. Sen. Jim Webb’s legislation to comprehensively review and overhaul America’s criminal-justice system won a major victory on Thursday when the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure with bipartisan support.
With the backing of 34 senators and dozens of organizations representing a broad spectrum of the criminal-justice community, Webb’s National Criminal Justice Commission Act next goes to the Senate floor for a full vote.
Webb’s legislation, which was introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2009, and would create a blue-ribbon commission of criminal justice experts, also received the endorsements today of the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Continue reading “Webb criminal-justice reform wins important Senate vote” »
Webb: Slow down on health care
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Republican Scott Brown shocked the political world with his victory in a special U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts Tuesday night, upsetting one-time heavy favorite Martha Coakley to win the seat that had been held by the late liberal scion Ted Kennedy for 47 years.
Maybe not shocking, but certainly attention-getting, was a statement from Virginia Democrat Jim Webb tonight that would seem to signal a coming siphoning of moderate Democratic support for ongoing efforts at health-care reform in Congress.
“In many ways the campaign in Massachusetts became a referendum not only on health-care reform, but also on the openness and integrity of our government process,” Webb said in the statement. “It is vital that we restore the respect of the American people in our system of government and in our leaders. To that end, I believe it would only be fair and prudent that we suspend further votes on health-care legislation until Sen.-elect Brown is seated.” Continue reading “Webb: Slow down on health care” »
Webb to GOP: Don’t destroy the U.S. economy in order to save it
Posted by afp on July 27, 2011 · 2 Comments
The markets have already warned us. Businesses are already postponing investments. We know the consequences of inaction; they are predictable: Borrowing costs for businesses and individuals will escalate. Interest payments on the debt will grow, and already anemic job growth will decline. Our nation will run the risk of another financial catastrophe and possibly a return to recession. As Chairman Bernanke recently stated, the outcome would be “calamitous.”
Many Americans are struggling. Far too many remain out of work. They cannot be asked to absorb the shockwaves of yet another failure to act. It is time for both sides and both chambers to find common ground.
Reasonable and responsible editorials from across the country have endorsed the Majority Leader’s proposal. Well-meaning people on all sides have shown genuine concern. Most all of us share those concerns about the implications of not acting.
There are in the other party some individuals who view themselves as revolutionaries in the best sense of the word. They appear less concerned with the here and now than with where they want to take the country in the future. We all understand that the two are connected and that looking to the future is vital to the country. The question, though, is the harm that might be caused by precipitous action.
Columnist George Will wrote a column a few days ago likening the Tea Party movement of today to the beginning of the Goldwater-Reagan conservative era–that the Goldwater movement of 1964, even though it did not bring Senator Goldwater to the Presidency, was the first step toward the conservative revolution that culminated in Ronald Reagan’s election in 1980.
Mr. Will wrote, and I am going to quote a couple of sentences, “The Tea Party, the most welcome political development since the Goldwater insurgency in 1964, lacks only the patience necessary when America lacks the consensus required to propel fundamental change.”
Mr. Will goes on to say, “If Washington’s trajectory could be turned as quickly as Tea Partiers wish, their movement would not be as necessary as it is.”
Those are Mr. Will’s words; that is Mr. Will’s considered opinion. That may be so, and it may not be so, but the first rule of good governance is to do no harm. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make cuts. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look toward some of the directions that the debate has taken us. But it means be careful when you are dealing with the fragility of national policy at a time like this. Some things sound better in a speech to a room full of activists than they actually are in the reality of how you govern and the practicality of how you actually bring about change where change is needed.
Senator Goldwater did not attempt to torpedo the economy in order to get his way. Ronald Reagan, in whose administration I proudly served, raised the national debt eighteen times—more than any other president.
I fought in Vietnam as an infantry Marine. I am very proud of that. Those of us who did fight in Vietnam all remember the regretful quote of one infantry officer who lamented that during one battle he had to call in heavy artillery and airstrikes on a populated village, that he had to “destroy a village in order to save it.”
I do not think the Republicans, who are using this issue as a lever to bring about their view of radical change, want to look back at a fractured economic recovery, a downgraded credit rating for the world’s number one economy, a citizenry that has become more angry and less capable of predicting its own financial future, and then say, as if all of this were not predictable, that they destroyed the American economy in order to save it.
Filed under Blogs · Tagged with budget debate, debt ceiling, jim webb, senator jim webb, u.s. economy