Today Show Features GOP vs Dem Fight Over Styrofoam Cups in Capitol Cafeteria
As part of Green is Universal week, NBC's Kelly O'Donnell highlighted a fight between Republicans and Democrats over the use of Styrofoam in the House cafeterias. On Thursday's Today show, O'Donnell reported, "Many Democrats are boiling mad because Republicans, now in charge of building operations, put a fork in the bio-degradable utensils Democrats had picked."
O'Donnell went on to relay the concerns of Democratic Congressman George Miller as she noted that he had alarmingly tweeted to Republicans, "Stop serving carcinogens to constituents," and then aired a soundbite of Miller (while he was brandishing a Styrofoam cup) hyperbolically exclaiming: "This cup is a very expensive cup. It's very expensive to the environment, it's very expensive to our energy policy and it's very expensive, in some cases, to the health of individuals. "
However O'Donnell did present the GOP side of the story as she reported that the House composting program, first implemented by a then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was costing the taxpayers "a half million dollars a year" and added: "Many diners complained those compostable cups, forks, and spoons broke easily and even melted in hot soup or coffee."
O'Donnell also allowed GOP Congressman Dan Lungren to tell viewers that it wasn't just Republicans who were upset with the flimsy forks:
REP. DAN LUNGREN, HOUSE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE, CHAIR: They were bipartisan complaints. I've had more thanks from Democrats, who whisper it to me, and Republicans, staffers and members thanking me for actually giving them utensils that will work.
The following is the full story as it was aired on the April 21 Today show:
MEREDITH VIEIRA: Back now at 7:49am with a heated debate on Capitol Hill, not over the deficit or even the bombing in Libya. This fight hits closer to home for members of Congress. It's about their coffee cups. NBC's Capitol Hill correspondent Kelly O'Donnell explains.
[On screen headline: "It Ain't Easy Being Green, Congress Battles Over Cups On Capitol Hill"]
KELLY O'DONNELL: Stacked and barely noticeable but those cups runneth over with controversy.
REP. GEORGE MILLER: Not a lot of people come to Washington chanting, "I want a Styrofoam cup."
O'DONNELL: Styrofoam and plastic wear are back in cafeterias at the House of Representatives.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: It's probably going to be in a landfill for the rest my life and, you know, it just seems to be a waste.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: I like Styrofoam. It doesn't really matter what my drink comes in.
O'DONNELL: Many Democrats are boiling mad because Republicans, now in charge of building operations, put a fork in the bio-degradable utensils Democrats had picked.
MILLER: Vote for the Republicans, Vote for Styrofoam.
O'DONNELL: When Nancy Pelosi was Speaker she proudly launched a greening of the Capitol campaign.
REP. NANCY PELOSI: The House has reduced its carbon emissions by 72 percent, a remarkable achievement for the Congress.
O'DONNELL: But it ain't easy being green. The House composting program cost nearly a half million dollars a year. Many diners complained those compostable cups, forks, and spoons broke easily and even melted in hot soup or coffee.
(Clip of someone breaking a fork while trying to cut food.)
REP. DAN LUNGREN, HOUSE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE, CHAIR: They were bipartisan complaints. I've had more thanks from Democrats, who whisper it to me, and Republicans, staffers and members thanking me for actually giving them utensils that will work.
O'DONNELL: Outraged Democrats used Twitter and Facebook, asking constituents to urge Republicans to bring back the paper cups. More than 100 Democrats signed a letter to Speaker Boehner. Congressman George Miller tweeted "Stop serving carcinogens to constituents," saying chemicals in Styrofoam pose a health risk.
MILLER: This cup is a very expensive cup. It's very expensive to the environment, it's very expensive to our energy policy and it's very expensive, in some cases, to the health of individuals.
LUNGREN: Well if anything were proven to be a cancer risk we wouldn't have it around here.
O'DONNELL: Republicans say, "Wait! It was the Democrats, who previously ran House operations, who actually recommended cancelling the House composting program." In this letter saying, "It was not a "sustainable or cost efficient enterprise for the House." Republicans say those cheaper Styrofoam cups may only be temporary. They are going to test bringing in permanent utensils that can be washed and reused, calling that, environmentally friendly. For Today, Kelly O'Donnell, NBC News, the Capitol.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the Deputy Research Director at the Media Research Center. You can follow him on Twitter here
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Comments
This is what's important to Dems/Leftists
Submitted by notinstl on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 10:54am.
....talk about ANYTHING but the truth and their record
notinstl, Let Me Expand on Your Thoughts:
Submitted by Comrade Jim on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 11:48am.
For the Left, nothing Is Too Small or Too Large to be important.
The Left needs to micromanage everything. They can improve everything.
Since "truth" is not one of the left's values it is not necessary to discuss.
The left's record is sterling on going "green": Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, China, Cuba, North Korea, Cambodia,...... all have perfected recycling. They recycled about 150,000,000 people.
If they want to be truly consciencious of the environment
Submitted by nonncom on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 1:05pm.
go back to stainless steel utensils and a dishwasher.....not the automatic variety, human dishwashers.....actually create some jobs....you want coffee to go?....bring your own container....
Unforutately Environmentalism Isn't About the Environment
Submitted by Comrade Jim on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 2:49pm.
Environmentalism is about controlling citizens. This is half of the overall program.
Environmentalism will control everything outside our bodies and ObamaCare will control everything inside our bodies. This gives complete control inside and outside.
byoc
Submitted by mom_rox on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 10:57am.
Can't they simply allow for people to bring their own container?
Doesn't it make you proud!
Submitted by Patriot II on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 11:05am.
That you voted for these mindless embeciles?
Styrofoam is made of
Submitted by kg on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 12:36pm.
Styrofoam is made of polystyrene, Plastic cups are made of,....wait for it....polystyrene.
LMAO!
"DumbAssity of Dope"
Is this what's important....?
Submitted by NeoKong on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 11:16am.
I'm glad to see NBC is out there doing the hard work keeping us informed about the real issues of the day. Maybe they can do an in depth hard hitting story on people who tear the tags off of mattresses.
Just think.
Submitted by almostacowboy on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 11:18am.
These geniuses will be supported by us for the rest of their lives by us for this "important" work.
Glad to see our congress critters have their priorities together
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 11:20am.
Never mind this nation is teetering on the brink, but they are going to be damn sure to save us from those hideous styrofoam cups.
Yeah, I'll be sleeping much more soundly now.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Pelosi Decreased the House's Carbon Emissions by 72%!
Submitted by Comrade Jim on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 11:22am.
With her green program. And then she increased the House's carbon emissions by 1000% by riding around with her family and friends in her personal over-sized government jet.
Pelosi can counter that by having us all eat twigs and nuts off paper (but also reusable) plates with wooden utensils.
Make them
Submitted by Marsh on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 11:43am.
bring their own utensils and cups. Wash them out in the Congressional bathrooms.
A regional convenience store
Submitted by Beukeboom on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 11:48am.
A regional convenience store chain has Styrofoam cups for the fountain sodas they sell but to avoid the ire of the enviro-weenies, they are calling them "no sweat cups."
Will this help, Dems?
Submitted by jpwcpa on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 1:04pm.
Suppose the Republican majority promised to manufacture the Styrofoam coffee cups entirely from the Styrofoam Greek columns that President O'Bonehead used a couple years back. You can't have any objections to such a creative use of recycling.
And how about if the Republicans further promise that the used Styrofoam coffee cups will be set aside and later turned into packing material that the First Family can use when Moving Day arrives in January 2013. Any leftover material, of course, can be sent to Wasilla Alaska for the succeeding First Family to use.
Well if you ask me, I say:
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 2:04pm.
Tell the dems to go fork themselves.
hbnolikeee---
Submitted by matthewdean on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 4:09pm.
LIKE !!
Thumbs up.
MD
An idea
Submitted by scarebear83 on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 3:32pm.
Yeah but if you have to wash them you use up precious drinking water... so it's like a no-win situation. I have an idea! For those who think Styrofoam is bad and don't want to harm the environment, just let them cup their hands and poor the coffee. Besides we can't be eating or drinking more than we need now either.
disposing of styrofoam
Submitted by dasher on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 5:59pm.
Styrofoam cups are real easy to get rid of... just shoot them with a blast of spray paint, and they will virtually disappear in minutes.
The House lowered its carbon footprint....
Submitted by drsamherman on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 7:11pm.
....the minute Queen Nancy was kicked out of the speaker's chair and was no longer permitted to use taxpayer-funded USAF fleet as her personal airline. Not to mention the lower methane emissions now that Alan Grayson got the boot too.
Liberalism is a carcinogen.....
Submitted by GregE on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 9:28pm.
.......to the nation, yet they continue to serve it up by the platter-full and tell us it's the best thing for us. The hypocrisy is deafening.