White House Thought It Could Tackle Both Energy And Health Care, Says Administration Official

By Ji Hyun Yoo

The Obama administration believed that they would be able to simultaneously tackle both health care and energy reform, according to Melody Barnes, the director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.

“We were trying to push healthcare and push energy at the same time,” Barnes said during a forum held by the Atlantic on “Green Intelligence.” “We really felt like it was a walk and talk.”

While the White House has indicated that chances for passing sweeping energy reform legislation are slimmer following the political fight that occurred passing health care reform, Barnes said that the administration still try to “push forward” on a bill.

Barnes noted that improving energy within the U.S. remains a longstanding goal of the administration, pointing to remarks Obama gave early last year in his “A New Foundation” speech.

“He … talked about the importance of this clean green energy economy, and the importance of investing in those areas if … we are going to be and continue to be major players on the global stage,” Barnes said.