Deseret News candidate questionnaire: U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 22, 2008

16 -- Do you favor or oppose a U.S. constitutional amendment recognizing only traditional marriage, between one man and one woman?

"I support traditional marriage. This Congress I have cosponsored the constitutional amendments protecting marriage as well as a bill to limit federal court jurisdiction from hearing cases that try to redefine marriage. Last Congress, I was a cosponsor and voted on the House floor for a constitutional amendment to protect marriage as well as the same limitation on jurisdiction bill. This is a major issue of our time. It is a battle between the recognition and reaffirmation of the traditional social fabric of our nation or the changing whims and desires of a few."

17 -- Do you favor or oppose new nuclear power plants in the United States? In Utah?

"I support nuclear power plants in Utah and throughout the United States. Nuclear power is safe, clean, and efficient. It is absurd that Europe and China are both seizing a competitive energy advantage over the United States by aggressively putting this proven energy source to work while we continue to wring our hands.

"Nuclear power has a unique history in Utah. The plight of "downwinders" has made many in Utah rightfully wary of nuclear power and nuclear waste. This is a complex issue that I have spent years working on in conjunction with my fellow Utah officials.

"For example, I have co-sponsored, with Congressmen Bishop and Matheson, the Federal Accountability for Nuclear Waste Storage Act of 2007, and the Spent Nuclear Fuel On-Site Storage Security Act of 2005. Both pieces of legislation would require spent nuclear fuel to be stored in a certified facility on site of any nuclear power plant, ensuring that waste can be legally stored where produced and not assembled and sent to a particular repository like some tried to do in Utah. In 2005, I, along with U.S. Sens. Orrin G. Hatch and Bob Bennett, and Reps. Jim Matheson and Rob Bishop sent a letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission asking it to reject a Private Fuel Storage consortium's license request to store high-level nuclear waste in Skull Valley and added an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill to stop the project from being developed. I support nuclear power, but if you support nuclear power you must also address the issue of waste disposal and that is why I have supported these measures so as to make nuclear power a reality and not just a rhetorical talking point."

18 -- In your opinion, is global warming a fact? If not, what do you think is happening, if anything, to the Earth's climate?

"Global climate change is happening, but it has always happened. The earth has warmed and cooled. I believe the jury is still out as to what affect human activity has on this phenomenon. The climate change lobby is an entrenched special interest with a financial and ideological stake in a particular scientific outcome. I also do not believe so-called "Cap and Trade" legislation is the way to address our environmental issues. We must be faithful stewards of our air, water, and natural beauty. Americans deserve clean air, clean water, and open spaces. Protecting these principles should not be driven by politically vested special interests, or former vice-presidents. Technological advancements in the free market have done more to clean our air, water, and ground than has the government. Having said that, I do believe the government has a role to play in ensuring private entities do not harm citizens or expose them to danger. God has blessed America with abundant resources and beauty and we have a duty to be responsible users of that God-given bounty."