Presidential Powers to Authorize Energy Exploration, Term Limits for Congress, Algae Derived Fuels & Sharia Law Ban: September 19, 2008

The Senate and House were not in session last Friday, so here are 4 interesting bills introduced in the House last Thursday.

The first bills doesn't have a chance of moving anywhere. In order to pass, a majority of the Members of House and Senate would have to vote against keeping their own jobs. It would amend the Constitution to set term limits on Members of Congress. No chance they are voting to put a limit on their own terms. As nice as it would be to have Members dealing solely with issues facing the American people and not spending time and energy on re-election - I just can't see term limits ever happening.

By Mr. KUHL (R-NY):
H.J. Res. 98. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of times Senators and Representatives may be elected; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [H8476]

This second bill will be very controversial and would provide the President authorization power to approve oil and gas projects. I'm surprised it was introduced by a Minnesotan Member of Congress, not exactly the state I think if first when it comes to energy exploration.

By Mrs. BACHMANN(R-MN):
H.R. 6953. A bill to authorize the President to review and approve oil and gas exploration, development, and production projects under existing Federal oil and gas leases, both onshore and offshore, and to limit administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to such projects, upon finding that such a project complies with all applicable Federal laws, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. Source: GPO [H8476]

The third bill provides credit for algae derived fuels. Algae? Yes, algae.

By Mr. BILBRAY (R-CA)(for himself, Mr. KENNEDY (D-RI), Mr. BARTLETT (R-MD), Mr. ISSA (R-CA), Mr. HUNTER (R-CA), and Mrs. BONO MACK (R-CA)):
H.R. 6943. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a credit for algae derived fuels, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Source: GPO [H8476]

Finally, another somewhat odd bill that falls under the 'no-duh' kind of legislation, prohibiting any aliens from advocating Sharia law. I am pretty confident Sharia law isn't going to happen over there in the states, so I could care less if anyone advocated for it. We still have dopes in the states advocating for segregation - who really cares what the fringe wants?

By Mr. TANCREDO (R-CO):
H.R. 6975. A bill to require aliens to attest that they will not advocate installing a Sharia law system in the United States as a condition for admission, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [H8476]