Free Republic

Gitmo Merry-Go-Round by: Emily Miller, July 25, 2008 The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) held a congressional hearing last week to revisit Guantanamo policies in the wake of Boumediene v. Bush, a recent Supreme Court decision that extends habeas corpus rights to detainees in Guantanamo Bay. Co-Chairman Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) says that in light of Boumediene the U.S. should “reopen entirely the question of how we handle terrorism suspects.” Calling Guantanamo a “lightning rod for international human rights criticism of the United States,” he encourages the U.S. to look abroad to see how...

(CNSNews.com) - Anxious to look like they’re doing something about rising oil and gas prices -- but unwilling to expand domestic oil drilling -- Democrats have introduced a bill that’s supposed to ease pain at the pump by offering alternatives to driving. The bill does nothing to increase domestic energy supply. Instead, it’s focused on the demand side of the equation, and that’s earned it kudos from environmental activists. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, the bill -- called the Transportation and Housing Options for Gas Price Relief Act of 2008 -- would allocate taxpayer money to: -- expand public...

First Amendment At Risk by: Emily Ham, June 27, 2008 For many congressional representatives, this year Fourth of July is not only a day to observe the freedoms Americans hold dear, its also the deadline to sign a petition that could be the dividing line between broadcast freedoms and a form of governmental censorship and control. At a press conference held on June 11 (Radio Independence Day), members of Congress, the press and organizations throughout Washington D.C. gathered on the steps of the Cannon Senate Building to ask Congress members to stand up for broadcasters’ rights. Speakers beseeched the House...

(English-language translation) With six weeks to go before the United States Congress adjourns, [pro-statehood] New Progressive Party (PNP) candidate for Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi considers "uphill" the effort to address the political-status bill PNP Chairman [and incumbent Resident Commissioner] Luis Fortuño is promoting. During a visit to Washington, D.C., Pierluisi met yesterday with Senator Ken Salazar, who is promoting in that chamber the status bill Fortuño drafted in the House of Representatives and who warned him that he foresees difficulties in its being considered before the current session ends. Although Salazar reiterated his commitment to the status issue, "he was...

A29-MEMBER independent task force of the Council on Foreign Relations released a report Friday that adds another authoritative voice to the clamor for U.S. leadership on climate change. Co-chaired by former New York governor George E. Pataki (R) and former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack (D), the bipartisan document makes an argument that has fallen on deaf ears at the White House. "As the United States takes increasingly aggressive action at home," the authors correctly note, "it will be in a stronger position to ask more of others." "Confronting Climate Change: A Strategy for U.S. Foreign Policy" endorses a reduction in...

“[T]he government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.” —James Madison

After more than a decade of debate, Congress has reached agreement on the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which will protect the rights of patients who undergo genetic screening, specifically preventing discrimination by employers and insurers. Conditions that can cause sudden cardiac arrest, such as Long QT and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy can often be identified through genetic testing, and the enactment of GINA is an important step to remove potential legal and financial barriers for individual and family screening.

Bill would hold funds from city unless it retracts Marines remarks SACRAMENTO — The lone Republican Bay Area lawmaker wants to withhold state transportation funding from the city of Berkeley until it rescinds a resolution that grants protesters a parking space in front of a U.S. Marines recruiting office. Assemblyman Guy Houston, R-San Ramon, said the Berkeley City Council is making a political war zone out of what should be a public right of way for those who want to join the military. His bill, Assembly Bill 2615, would suspend $3.3 million in Local Road and Street funding over...

WASHINGTON: A legislation targeting India and seven other countries which allegedly refuse to take back illegal immigrants convicted of crimes in the United States has been introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill requires reports being sent to Congress every 90 days on the countries which inhibit repatriation that will automatically trigger denial of foreign aid as well as suspension of visa issuances to them. The bill, a companion to the Accountability in Immigrant Repatriation (AIR) Act of 2008 introduced last month in the US Senate, was introduced by Congressmen Charlie Dent and Michael Castle.

Items 1 through 100 of 122 1. S.CON.RES.5 : A concurrent resolution honoring the life of Percy Lavon Julian, a pioneer in the field of organic chemistry and the first and only African-American chemist to be inducted into the National Academy of Sciences. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/31/2007) Cosponsors (5) Committees: Senate Judiciary Latest Major Action: 1/31/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. S.CON.RES.25 : A concurrent resolution condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society. Sponsor: Sen...

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 3, 2008 Mr. Hensarling (for himself, Mr. Akin, Mr. Barrett of South Carolina, Mr. Bartlett of Maryland, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Brady of Texas, Mr. Broun of Georgia, Mr. Campbell of California, Mr. Cannon, Mr. Cantor, Mr. David Davis of Tennessee, Ms. Fallin, Mr. Feeney, Mr. Flake, Mr. Fortuno, Ms. Foxx, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Gingrey, Mr. Hoekstra, Mr. Kline of Minnesota, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Marchant, Mr. McCarthy of California, Mrs. Musgrave, Mr. Neugebauer, Mr. Paul, Mr. Pence, Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Shadegg, Mr. Tancredo, Mr. Walberg,...

Today’s title may defend itself against the risk of being read. Before deciding to keep reading or move on, let me ask you a question: Do you have enemies?

Heavenly Father we thank and praise You that You are raising up Your people to send out the battle cry against the killing fields of the abortuaries across the country. Father, we thank You for those who have stood in prayer, and those who are doing sidewalk counseling in front of Planned Parenthoods across this country. Father continue to strengthen and energize them, protecting them in the battle they are waging. Father we thank You for raising up people to bring forth legislation that protects the lives of ALL the unborn. Father we bring up the issues in Colorado in...

Chief scientist revolts over biofuel legislation 29 March 2008 From New Scientist Print Edition. Could biofuels do more damage to the climate than the fossil fuels they replace? That's the fear casting doubt on the wisdom of a law that from next month will require a certain proportion of vehicle fuel to come from biological sources. On Monday, Bob Watson, chief scientist at the UK's Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs, called into question the idea of switching to biofuels. This follows the publication of studies showing that more carbon is emitted in producing some biofuels than is saved...

Coulda been worse. With mega-majority control by the Democrats of the House, Senate, and Governor's mansion, it's critical to highlight the good, not just the bad: * The legislative jihad against the initiative process totally imploded thanks to all of us working together. Bills that would have shut down the signature gathering process were clearly illegal, unconstitutional, and aimed at endangering citizens -- that's why the Democrats pushed so hard for their approval. But six weeks on non-stop emails, phone calls, faxes, and letters from all of you -- and scathing editorials and columns in every newspaper -- successfully beat...

Canada warns US over oil sands By Sheila McNulty in Houston Published: March 9 2008 20:47 | Last updated: March 9 2008 22:12 Canada has warned the US government that a narrow interpretation of new energy legislation would prohibit its neighbour buying fuel from Alberta’s vast oil sands, with “unintended consequences for both countries”. In a letter to Robert Gates, US defence secretary, Canada said that it “would not want to see an expansive interpretation” of the Energy Independence and Security Act 2007. A copy of the letter, from Michael Wilson, Canadian ambassador, and copied to Condoleezza Rice, US secretary...

Tell Your Senators to Support the DeMint-McCain Amendment! Right now, Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) are offering an amendment to the 2009 budget resolution that will impose a year-long moratorium on congressional earmarks. Earmarking invites fraudulent behavior, hollows out or national defenses, and diverts lawmakers' attention from important national business like saving Medicare and Social Security for our children and grandchildren. Many congressional offices even have one or more staffers dedicated solely to procuring earmarks. A year-long moratorium is a critical step forward to stopping Congress’s addiction to earmarking. It will give members time to reform the...

State Bill Would Allow Guns on Campus By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD, The New York Times PHOENIX (March 5) - Horrified by recent campus shootings, a state lawmaker here has come up with a proposal in keeping with the Taurus .22-caliber pistol tucked in her purse: Get more guns on campus. The lawmaker, State Senator Karen S. Johnson, has sponsored a bill, which the Senate Judiciary Committee approved last week, that would allow people with a concealed weapons permit — limited to those 21 and older here — to carry their firearms at public colleges and universities. Concealed weapons are generally...

Life Lessons by: Malcolm A. Kline, March 04, 2008 One of the benefits of the recap of the annual March for Life that anti-abortion activists hold here in our nation’s capital is the glimpse it gives us of the full throttle manner in which abortion is promoted today. “This year’s National Teens for Life Summit trained more than 20 teens from diverse backgrounds with a host of talents,” Joleigh Little reports in the National Right To Life News. “They ranged in age from 13 to 22 and will take what they learned one cold January weekend in Washington, D.C., and...

A new website has just launched that truly puts Democracy in Your Hands! The site ‘creates’ democracy by allowing citizens to literally ‘vote’ on any piece of legislation being considered by Congress. E-VotingBooth.com’s database then submits ‘election results’ to Congress and the President before Final Bill votes. e-VotingBooth drastically changes the dynamics of Congressmen and the President of how to vote for a congressional bill by adding the collective citizens’ voice to their voting consideration. “Congress’ original job, as defined and envisioned by our Founding Fathers, was to learn what citizens wanted legally and convert their desires into legislation,” said...

Republicans Aid Natural Adversaries by: Malcolm A. Kline, February 27, 2008 Former U. S. House Majority Leader Richard Armey used to repeatedly point out that conservatives are optimists. They prove it time and time again at every level of government whether that optimism is warranted or not. Case in point, speaking for the Republican majority in the lower chamber of the state assembly, Virginia delegate Jeff Frederick earnestly defended their increase in education spending, even though there is precious little research showing that where schools are concerned, more is better. “By increasing spending for K-12 public schools by $1.1 billion...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2008 – The Iraqi government’s passage of three bills, including a 2008 budget, marks a historic turning point toward peace, stability and self-governance in the country, U.S. and Iraqi officials said. A provincial powers law represents “an important step toward framing the balance the Iraqi people seek between central government authority and the strengthening of local governments,” said a joint statement issued yesterday by Multinational Force Iraq and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The statement called the law a “historic compromise.” The statement, by the top military and diplomatic officials in Iraq, also praised the council for...

An Urgent Message From Marilyn Bergman Copyright Royalty Board Begins Critical Mechanical Rates Hearing January 28, 2008 To All ASCAP Members, Over the years, ASCAP has worked tirelessly to convince Congress and the courts that all songwriters, composers and music publishers are entitled to fair compensation for their copyrighted musical works. As you know, ASCAP represents the performing right, a large and growing part of your compensation. But mechanical and synchronization rights are also a critical element of your livelihood. Today, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) begins a hearing that will determine mechanical rates for every songwriter and music publisher...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2008 – President Bush signed the long-delayed and sometimes-contentious fiscal 2008 National Defense Authorization Act into law today. The Senate passed a $696 billion 2008 defense authorization bill Jan. 22. It includes a 3.5 percent military pay raise and provisions to improve health care and benefits for wounded troops and veterans. “Today, I have signed into law H.R. 4986, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008,” Bush said in a statement released by the White House. “The act authorizes funding for the defense of the United States and its interests abroad, for military construction,...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Mitt Romney and John McCain accused each other Monday of harboring liberal tendencies, a charge bordering on blasphemy in the increasingly caustic campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. Romney struck first on the day before the winner-take-all Florida primary. He attacked the Arizona senator for his legislation reducing the role of money in politics, for his position on immigration and for his support of an energy bill that Romney said would have driven up consumer costs. "If you ask people, 'Look at the three things Senator McCain has done as a senator,' if you...

Dear xxxxx xxxxxx, We've been working hard in Richmond for two weeks now and a lot has happened! We've included some highlights here, but the full bill chart and fact sheets are always available on our website at http://www.ppav.org/keyissues/2008billchart.html. Also, we are only one week away from Pro-Choice Lobby Day on Thursday, January 31st. Earlier this week, your legislators were visited by the Virginia Family Foundation and lobbied on bills to close Planned Parenthood's clinics and restore funding for abstinence-only programs. Make sure your voice is heard too! Sign up now at http://www.ppaction.org/ppav/events/2008prochoicelobbyday/details.tcl. Legislative Update HB 894 Hospital Licensing Requirements,...

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey on Sunday became the second state to enter a compact that would eliminate the Electoral College's power to choose a president if enough states endorse the idea. Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed legislation that approves delivering the state's 15 electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. The Assembly approved the bill last month and the Senate followed suit earlier this month. Maryland — with 10 electoral votes — had been the only state to pass the compact into law. The measure could result in the electoral votes going to a candidate...

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has taken action against a Salvation Army thrift store in Framingham, Massachusetts BECAUSE THE STORE REQUIRED EMPLOYEES TO SPEAK ENGLISH ON THE JOB! They even gave everyone a year to learn English. Two refused and were fired. This EEOC action is not an isolated incident. The EEOC took action against 200 businesses this past year because they simply wished to require their employees to speak English on the job. This campaign of federal government harassment must STOP! However, somebody is saying “NO MORE! ENOUGH!” Senator Lamar Alexander has introduced a bill that -- if...

Fixing the Prince George's County hospitals, a ban on panhandling in Prince George's and money for improvements to the Laurel Armory, the Laurel mill dam ruins and the Laurel Boys and Girls Club are among the top priorities of local lawmakers for the 2008 session of the Maryland General Assembly, which opened Wednesday, Jan. 9. In addition, local lawmakers are pushing legislation that would ban the use of special taxing districts in residential developments, an attempt to avoid the type of controversy that has roiled the upscale Victoria Falls community in Laurel. Developers used such a taxing district to help...

Despite polls indicating that public approval ratings for Congress have sunk to 32 percent—a level below when Republicans were in control—House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) claims the 2007 session was the most significant in the history of the United States. While surveys show that the public perceives that nothing of significance has been accomplished, Pelosi says that "the House has had a remarkable level of achievement. While the election of the first female Speaker in history, by itself, makes this session the greatest ever, there have been many other substantive accomplishments.” One of the “substantive accomplishments” cited by Pelosi was...

WASHINGTON — Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee told a House committee Thursday that her proposal to slash prison time for older, nonviolent federal inmates was not intended to benefit child pornographers or white-collar criminals. "This is not a bill to give comfort to the Jack Abramoffs of the world," the Houston Democrat said Thursday at a hearing before a House Judiciary subcommittee. Abramoff, a former Washington lobbyist, pleaded guilty in January of 2006 to charges of conspiring to bribe members of Congress. Jackson Lee criticized the Houston Chronicle for its "interpretation" of her bill in an article on Thursday. The Chronicle...

Climate Security Act Revealed by: Heyecan Veziroglu, November 29, 2007 The Climate Security Act of 2007, S. 2191, co-sponsored by Senators Joseph Lieberman (I, CT) and John Warner (R, VA) would require the U.S. to reduce its emissions by 50% by the year 2050. The need for immediate action to stabilize the earth’s temperature was discussed. “Climate policy development necessitates more than political will,” Senator George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) remarked on November 8, 2007 at a Senate Hearing on America’s Climate Security Act of 2007. “We have no assurance that the bill’s international provisions are adequate to ensure the effective...

A conservative fire fighter’s take on the most recent public servant collective bargaining bill. By the way, the IAFF states 87% of union fire fighters are moderate to conservative. This bill has passed the house and is likely to pass the senate very soon. This bill is essentially a mandate that local and state government entities must collectively bargain with public safety employees. This bill will affect many individual taxpayers by increasing taxes and influencing the way fire fighters and police officers are hired. Here is a link to the bill. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.980: Why are the unions pushing this bill forward...

When a District Attorney brings an accused criminal to trial there is usually more than one crime listed on the state or federal prosecutor’s charge list. Many such charges that fatten up the list are later found to be foolish during the jury’s deliberation. Politicians are the cause of the foolish laws since they legislate and vote them into the state or federal court system. The Bills that create them are driven by passions of prejudice and fear that are contrived to gain celebrity and voter attraction. First, let me use a felony crime of murder as a good example...

Who Decides? by: Bethany Stotts, October 29, 2007 Thought to be a relic of the 1980’s, the ironically named Fairness Doctrine that enabled the federal government to muzzle conservative voices on the airwaves may soon come back with a vengeance. “As someone who has been leading the Senate effort to permanently prohibit the return of the Fairness Doctrine, let me be clear that the danger of the Fairness Doctrine coming back is very clear and present,” said Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) at an October Heritage briefing. “What will take for it is for a Democratic president to put in place...

AMERICAN DREAM COALITION The Rev. Victor Orta II: The group’s president says he knew all along this would be a long legal fight. “We’ve taken bullets and bombs and we’re going to stay with it.” Added plaintiffs say they are facing eviction because of the measure. A final-day federal court showdown has been set for Wednesday afternoon to determine the constitutionality of House Bill 1804, a state law aimed at illegal immigrants. The law is set to go into effect the next day. A lawsuit challenging the measure was re-filed Thursday, this time with additional plaintiffs who say they...

Californians’ easy access to raw milk—it’s available in 350 health food stores and 40 Whole Foods grocery stores around the state—has been placed in serious jeopardy by a few words about a bacteria standard included in Assembly Bill 1735, a piece of agriculture legislation signed into law a couple weeks ago by Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneger, and due to take effect January 1. Also in jeopardy is the mini-empire built up by Mark McAfee, owner of Organic Pastures Dairy Co., the dairy that supplies about 95% of the state’s unpasteurized milk, consumed by more than 100,000 Californians each week. Mark has...

TRENTON, Sept. 24 — A state judge ruled on Monday that a $450 million bond proposal to finance stem cell research must stay on the November ballot, dealing a blow to abortion opponents. Judge Neil H. Shuster of Superior Court in Mercer County ruled that abortion opponents who challenged the initiative on the grounds that it would permit human cloning waited too long to file their case and did not made a convincing enough claim of imminent harm. Saying that an injunction was the “strongest weapon” available to the court and should be used sparingly, Judge Shuster declined to stop...

Good afternoon - Congress returns to work in Washington, DC today after a month long District Work period. I wanted to give everyone a thorough update on where we stand with regard to both the Title V and CBAE programs. September is going to be a very busy month for federal abstinence education programs. CBAE: FY2008 CBAE funding is currently being considered by Congress. The CBAE program is funded as part of the Labor, Heath and Education Appropriations package, a mulit-billion package that funds all of the programs in these three agencies. The House has passed its version of the...

The House yesterday passed the most comprehensive patent reform in half a century, delivering a victory for computer technology and financial services companies and leaving drug companies, small inventors, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office bracing for a bigger fight before the bill hits the Senate floor. The bill, which passed 225 to 175 with strong bipartisan support, is meant to reduce the mounting number of patent infringement cases by changing the ways patents are awarded and challenged. Because much of the bill is perceived to be favorable to targets of patent-infringement suits rather than patent holders, it has...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Some Arkansas lawmakers are spitting mad — over chaw. Representative Pam Adcock says she'll introduce legislation that would bar chewing tobacco from the state House floor. She says she's tried of seeing her spitting colleagues, adding that it's gross. But some in the House say use of chewing tobacco is a personal decision. Smoking is already banned in the Arkansas Capitol.

Nearly a fifth of America's roads are now considered in poor shape and about one-in-four bridges is rated "structurally deficient." The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the cost to fix these problems is a staggering $460 billion. The tab grows far larger when you add in the hundreds of billions to build the new transportation infrastructure that's needed to handle the country's growth. Part of the problem is that big increases in state and local spending for politically popular programs, especially Medicaid and education, as well costly public employee pensions and benefits, have crowded out infrastructure -- even as...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 — When a broad immigration bill failed in the Senate in June after a vitriolic national debate, many legislators said the issue was dead, perhaps until President Bush left office. But already some of the less contentious pieces of the bill are returning to life. Last week, the Senate approved $3 billion for border security as part of a Homeland Security Department spending bill. Democrats and Republicans have also begun laying ground for a bill to create a new temporary immigrant worker program for agriculture. Another bill, also with bipartisan support, would give a path to citizenship...

VITAL PRO-LIFE VOTE THIS WEEK! Oppose the Dingell/Rangel bill, (H.R. 3162). This bill will FORCE YOU to pay for children's health insurance that undermines coverage of unborn children, and for "family planning" services that will fund Planned Parenthood. This week--probably on Wednesday or Thursday -- the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a bill (H.R. 3162) to reauthorize the federal government's State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover health care insurance for children in families with moderately low-incomes. The 1997 SCHIP program authorized $40 billion over 10 years. The House bill would expand this program and cost over...

Kaine shuns special session to repeal 'abuser fees' July 14, 2007 By Seth McLaughlin The first paragraph Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has no plans to call a special General Assembly session to consider repealing new fees against bad drivers, despite public outrage, a potential lawsuit and a lawmaker's demand that he do so. The last paragraphThe governor's office estimated the new law would affect only about 2 percent of Virginians.

Leading Democrats in Congress and on the presidential campaign trail are having a difficult time agreeing on what it means to be wealthy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has said it means earning $500,000 or more annually. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) contends that raising the tax rate on families making more than $400,000 could offset legislation to slash taxes on the middle class.

H.R. 1592 Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 Background/Commentary: The proponents of this legislation have bluntly stated that it will make homosexuals a protected class in the U.S.. In some regards, they may be right. As an example, if a John Doe is assaulted, it is simple assault. But if John Doe is gay, the perpetrator could face additional charges, possibly federal ones at that, for the assault. Will such legalisms promote civil lawsuits and blackmail? Will protected groups have a legal trump card to play on assaults, altercations or arguments that were for reasons other...

Opponents of defeated Senate bill plan to lobby Congress Activists who helped defeat President Bush's comprehensive immigration reform proposal say they will return to Washington to lobby for a criminal investigation into the government's failure to enforce existing immigration laws. "We plan to return to Washington in the next week or two, and light up the phone lines again," said William Gheen, president of Americans for Legal Immigration-PAC, a key partner in the grass-roots campaign to defeat the Senate immigration plan. "We're going to put pressure on Congress, not to stop a bill, but to demand that Congress launch an...

The purpose of this list will be to inform FReepers about the nefarious or noteworthy activities undertaken by our "representatives" in Washington D.C.

The following letter was sent on June 18, 2007, by the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) to members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The letter concerns the upcoming first abortion policy vote of the 110th Congress, on the pro-life Smith-Stupak Amendment to the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which will occur on the House floor later this week. RE: Vote "Yes" on the Smith-Stupak Amendment to Prevent Tax Subsidies for Abortion-Promoting Groups Overseas June 18, 2007 Dear Member of Congress: When the House considers the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (as yet unnumbered), the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC)...