U.S. Rep. Bishop addresses state lawmakers

Rep. Rob Bishop, Utah's four-term congressman representing the state's 1st District, covered many topics during a visit Thursday with state lawmakers.

During his brief remarks, he discussed the upcoming U.S. Census, a massive federal public lands bill, military support, energy development and the recently signed economic stimulus package.

Bishop, who served 16 years in the Utah Legislature, including two as House speaker, shared his concerns about a move to put the U.S. Census Bureau under control of the White House. He said the Constitution identifies the census as a function of the legislative branch of government.

"Moving it directly into the White House does everything possible to make it much riskier for being abused and being politicized," Bishop said.

The congressman also said he didn't like a 164-part omnibus public lands bill working its way through the federal government. He said only four of the bills in the package would benefit the state and the rest of them would have a potentially negative impact.

"How much nicer it is being here in Utah where we decide to take each bill on its own merits," he said.

Bishop thanked state lawmakers for the consistent support they have shown for the U.S. military and their work on energy development in the state and told them he wasn't sure the Obama administration's massive stimulus package was "done right."

"It's difficult for anyone to do a stimulus bill, simply because it's a matter of timing," Bishop said. "Most stimulus bills that have passed at the federal level have gone into effect after the recession was over."

Bishop and every other U.S. House Republican voted against the plan.

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