Ron Paul on Environment Republican Representative (TX-14); previously Libertarian for President

Cross-state purchase of raw milk is constitutional right

Americans have the right to consume these products without having the federal government second-guess their judgment or thwart their wishes. If there are legitimate concerns about the safety of unpasteurized milk, those should be addressed at the state and local level. Many Americans have done their own research and come to the conclusion that unpasteurized milk is healthier than pasteurized.

Citizens doing their own research on what they put into their bodies, learning about what they can eat, drink, or take for medicinal purposes--this information is often blocked by agencies like the FDA, a clear violation of the First Amendment.

Eliminate the ineffective EPA

As President, Ron Paul will lead the fight to:
• Remove restrictions on drilling, so companies can tap into the vast amount of oil we have here at home.
• Repeal the federal tax on gasoline. Eliminating the federal gas tax would result in an 18 cents savings per gallon for American consumers.
• Lift government roadblocks to the use of coal and nuclear power.
• Eliminate the ineffective EPA. Polluters should answer directly to property owners in court for the damages they create --not to Washington.
• Make tax credits available for the purchase and production of alternative fuel technologies.

Recycling consumes more energy than it saves

Neglected property rights during the industrial revolution

A: Yes, California should do what they want. When we're dealing with the environment and greenhouse gases, [it's] property rights. We neglected during the industrial revolution property rights, and governments and big corporations got together and colluded.

Property rights are the foundation of all rights

Property rights are the foundation of all rights in a free society. Without the right to own a printing press, for example, freedom of the press becomes meaningless

Scored 14% on Humane Society Scorecard on animal protection

The Humane Society 109th Congress Scorecard on animal protection scored Paul 14 out of 100, based on:
• Paul voted against the Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (HR.503): To bar slaughtering horses for human consumption.
• Paul voted for the "poison pill" Amendment delaying implementation of HR.503.
• Paul did not vote on the BLM amendment on 5/19/2005: To bar slaughtering wild horses & burros.
• Paul voted against the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act (HR.3858): To consider the needs of people with pets and service animals in disaster planning.
• Paul did not co-sponsor the Animal Fighting Prohibition Act (S.382): To criminalize dogfighting & cockfighting.
• Paul did not co-sponsor the Downed Animal Protection Act (HR.3931): to ban "downed" (unable to walk to slaughter) cattle, pigs & sheep in human food.
• Paul did not sign the Funding Letter of 4/28/2006, to the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee for animal protection.

Rated 5% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes.

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is the political voice of the national environmental movement and the only organization devoted full-time to shaping a pro-environment Congress and White House. We run tough and effective campaigns to defeat anti-environment candidates, and support those leaders who stand up for a clean, healthy future for America. Through our National Environmental Scorecard and Presidential Report Card we hold Congress and the Administration accountable for their actions on the environment. Through regional offices, we build coalitions, promote grassroots power, and train the next generation of environmental leaders. The 2003 National Environmental Scorecard provides objective, factual information about the environmental voting records of all Members of the first session of the 108th Congress. This Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who selected the key votes on which Members of Congress should be graded. LCV scores votes on the most important issues of the year, including environmental health and safety protections, resource conservation, and spending for environmental programs. Scores are calculated by dividing the number of pro-environment votes by the total number of votes scored. The votes included in this Scorecard presented Members of Congress with a real choice on protecting the environment and help distinguish which legislators are working for environmental protection. Except in rare circumstances, the Scorecard excludes consensus action on the environment and issues on which no recorded votes occurred.

Give tax breaks for start-up farms for 10-year commitment.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income 100% of the gain, up to $500,000, from the sale of qualified farm property to a first-time farmer who certifies that such property will be used for farming purposes for 10 years.

• Allows a 50% exclusion for the sale of qualified farm property to any other person who certifies that such property will be used for farming purposes for 10 years.
• Allows a 25% exclusion for the sale of qualified farm property to any other person for any other use.
• Defines `qualified farm property` as real estate which is used for farming purposes for a specified three-year period and in which there was participation by the taxpayer or the taxpayer`s family.

Make tax deduction permanent for conservation easements.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for charitable contributions by individuals and corporations of real property interests for conservation purposes. Known in the Senate as the Rural Heritage Conservation Extension Act of 2009.

Stop considering manure as pollutant or hazardous.

Congressional Summary:Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to exclude manure from the definition of `hazardous substance` and `pollutant or contaminant` for purposes of such Act. Defines `manure` to mean:

1. digestive emissions, feces, urine, urea and other excrement from livestock;
2. any associated bedding, compost, raw materials or other materials commingled with such excrement from livestock;
3. any process water associated with such items; and
4. any byproducts, constituents, or substances contained in, or originating from, such items or any emissions relating to such items.

Opponent`s Comments (Jim Ruen on AgProfessional.com, Oct. 3, 2011): Since when can a fertilizer dealer operate without concern for environmental regulation and impact? Let`s face it, we aren`t talking about Ma and Pa Kettle with their six milk cows and three sows here spreading a load of manure on the back 40. We are talking about CAFO units with thousands of animals and tens of thousands or more tons/gallons of manure. While a few maybe spreading on their own land, most are selling it to area farmers. At a time when fertilizer dealers and companies have to be conspicuously careful with how they handle product, why shouldn`t mega-livestock operators be equally regulated as they sell their `waste` product for its nutrient and soil building value. Since when do commercial N, P and K producers or handlers get a free ride from the EPA...or Congress?

Repeal requirements for compact fluorescent bulbs.

Repeals provisions of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 concerning lighting energy efficiency, including provisions that:
1. prescribe energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps, rough service lamps, and other designated lamps;
2. direct the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to conduct an annual assessment of the market for general service lamps and compact fluorescent lamps;
3. carry out a proactive national program of consumer awareness, information, and education about lamp labels and energy-efficient lighting choices;
4. prohibit a manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or private labeler from distributing in commerce specified adapters for incandescent lamps;
5. carry out a lighting technology research and development program;
6. set forth minimum energy efficiency standards for incandescent reflector lamps;
7. set forth requirements for the use of energy efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs in public building construction, alteration, and acquisition; and
8. require metal halide lamp fixtures and energy efficiency labeling for designated consumer electronic products.

Rated 25% by HSLF, indicating an anti-animal welfare voting record.

112th Mid-Term Humane Scorecard: The Humane Society Legislative Fund has posted the final version of the 2011 Humane Scorecard, where you can track the performance of your federal lawmakers on key animal protection issues during last year. We rated legislators based on their voting behavior on measures such as agribusiness subsidies, lethal predator control, and the Endangered Species Act; their cosponsorship of priority bills on puppy mills, horse slaughter, animal fighting, and chimps in research; their support for funding the enforcement of animal welfare laws; and their leadership on animal protection. All of the priority bills whose cosponsorships we`re counting enjoy strong bipartisan support; in the House, each of the four now has more than 150 cosponsors.

The Humane Scorecard is not a perfect measuring tool, but creating some reasonable yardstick and allowing citizens to hold lawmakers accountable is central to our work. When the Humane Scorecard comes out each year, it helps clarify how the animal protection movement is doing geographically, by party affiliation, and in other categories. It helps us chart our course for animals by seeing where we have been effective, and where we need to improve.