Both Iowa Senators, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, have voiced their opinions on the Green New Deal this week. Ernst has presented it with her Squeal Award, renaming it the “New Green Steal.” Grassley says it is an ambitious plan, but also an “unworkable, pie-in-the-sky attempt to reshape every aspect of everyday American lives.” Ernst says that the $93 trillion plan to do away with trains, planes, automobiles and even cows, is not the bargain the Democrats believe it to be. The cost is more than $10 trillion higher than the combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of every nation on Earth in the year 2017. And, it exceeds the ENTIRE recorded spending of the United States Government since the Constitution went into effect in 1789 by $10 billion. She adds it is, “Unrealistic and unattainable goals that will bankrupt our country, bring our economy to a screeching halt and destroy our agriculture industry.” It is, she says outrageous. Grassley, who is proud of his record in advancements in affordable, green energy, says the Green New Deal is “nothing more than a grab bag of vague aspirations.” Grassley is pleased that Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, has re-introduced this so senators can go on record whether they want to make this policy. The goals, he adds, are worthy, that of reducing pollution and cutting emissions, but the majority of these goals are wholly unrealistic. For example, it is not feasible to meet all power demands in the country through renewable, zero-emission sources in just 10 years. And with the inclusion of provisions that will support those unwilling to work, Grassley says this is less about tackling any energy or environmental issues and, “More about remaking America into a dreamy new progressive paradise.”
