Robert Bennett in UT Senate Debate
On Education:
Get more flexibility into No Child Left Behind
I voted against No Child Left Behind, Bennett said. “It’s too heavy handed, and we’re working to get more flexibility into the program.”
Van Dam said the federal government should reward schools for what they do right instead of setting them up for failure.
Source: UT Senate Debate, in Deseret Morning News
Oct 14, 2004
On Energy & Oil:
In favor of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
BENNETT: Bennett said he was in favor of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge because it would create hundreds of thousands of jobs. The impact of drilling in ANWR would be the equivalent of affecting an area the size of
the bottom of one of the goblets on the table, he said. VAN DAM: Van Dam said only 5% of the world’s oil supply is in the continental United States and the country should instead turn its focus to finding sources of clean energy.
Source: UT Senate Debate, in Spectrum
Oct 14, 2004
On Health Care:
Change current tax laws to reduce healthcare costs
VAN DAM: Van Dam said Congress should let the federal government negotiate with insurance and drug companies for bargains, something that is currently off-limits.
BENNETT: Bennett countered that rising health care costs will never be stabilized until Congress changes current tax laws so that there is more of an incentive to reduce prices.
Source: [Xref Van Dam] UT Senate Debate, in Deseret Morning News
Oct 14, 2004
On Health Care:
Companies producing flu vaccine are afraid of being sued
BENNETT: Bennett countered that rising health care costs will never be stabilized until Congress changes current tax laws so that there is more of an incentive to reduce prices. “We used to have 11 companies produce flu vaccine. We now have four,” he
said. “They tell me it’s because they’re afraid of being sued.”VAN DAM: Van Dam said he also has talked with drug company representatives about the flu vaccine shortage, but he’s being told that there’s “no profit” in making the preventive medication.
Source: UT Senate Debate, in Deseret Morning News
Oct 14, 2004
On Health Care:
Give people control over their own dollars
Bennett said health care incentives need to change to give people control over their own dollars.
VAN DAM: Van Dam said the government needs to shift its efforts so the money does not go to corporate America. The US is the only advanced country that does not provide universal health care, he said.
Source: UT Senate Debate, in Spectrum
Oct 14, 2004
On Homeland Security:
Anti-nuclear testing, but also anti-nuclear ignorance
Bennett worried that his strong support of nuclear weapons research, which includes the maintenance of existing stockpiles, has been taken out of context. “I am anti-nuclear testing, but I am also anti-nuclear ignorance,” he said, adding the country must
prepare itself to face an uncertain, dangerous future. “There is no need for what’s known as the bunker buster in today’s world, but I ask you, ‘Will today’s world be tomorrow’s world when it comes to nuclear deterrents?’ ”
Source: UT Senate Debate, in Deseret Morning News
Oct 14, 2004
On Homeland Security:
Nuclear weapons can be produced without testing
BENNETT: Bennett said while there is no need in today’s world to use nuclear weapons, there is no way to be sure the nation will not need them as a deterrent in the future. While there are no immediate threats, North Korea, China and Russia could pose
threats in the future. Bennett said nuclear weapons can be produced without testing. VAN DAM: Van Dam said he does not want another nuclear arms race. Van Dam said Bennett’s legislation would not prevent testing.
Source: UT Senate Debate, in Spectrum
Oct 14, 2004
On Tax Reform:
Biggest tax burden already falls on the wealthiest 1%
VAN DAM: Van Dam said he opposes the flat tax and the tax burden already falls on the lower and middle classes. BENNETT: Bennett contended that the wealthiest 1 percent of the population pays 33 percent of taxes.
Source: [Xref Van Dam] UT Senate Debate, in Spectrum
Oct 14, 2004
Page last updated: Feb 26, 2019