Sunday, August 3, 2008
Recess is Here! Back September 8, 2008!
August recess is here and the House and Senate will be taking 6 weeks off. See you September 8, 2008!!!!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Last Day before August Recess: Tax Return Savings & Novelty Lighters: July 31, 2008
August recess will begin tonight unless some drastic events happen this afternoon. The House did not have any bills of note introduced, but there were a few in the Senate.
This first one would provide a government matching funds as incentive to put tax returns in savings account.
By Mr. MENENDEZ (D-NJ):
S. 3372. A bill to promote savings by providing a match for eligible taxpayers who contribute to savings products and to facilitate taxpayers receiving this match and open a bank account when they file their Federal income tax returns; to the Committee on Finance. Source: GPO [S7903]
S. 3375. A bill to prohibit the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of novelty lighters, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Source: GPO [S7903]
This first one would provide a government matching funds as incentive to put tax returns in savings account.
By Mr. MENENDEZ (D-NJ):
S. 3372. A bill to promote savings by providing a match for eligible taxpayers who contribute to savings products and to facilitate taxpayers receiving this match and open a bank account when they file their Federal income tax returns; to the Committee on Finance. Source: GPO [S7903]
This next bill is sort of an odd one and makes me wonder what happened to create need for bill of this sort:
By Mr. WYDEN (D-OR) (for himself, Ms. COLLINS (R-ME) and Mr. DODD (D-CT)):S. 3375. A bill to prohibit the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of novelty lighters, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Source: GPO [S7903]
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Land Shark: July 30th, 2008
You got to give it to any Senator who pulls out the Land Shark from Saturday Night Live. Here's Republican Senator from Iowa, Chuck Grassley, yesterday on the floor during the pissing match Senate Republicans and Democrats are having over the tax extenders and drilling:
"By portraying themselves as fiscal conservatives, while in reality playing the same old tax-and-spend game, the Blue Dogs remind me of the land shark character played by Chevy Chase on ``Saturday Night Live.'' This was many years ago, so maybe some of you will not remember. But we have a picture of the land shark skit with the theme from ``Jaws'' playing in the background.
The land shark knocks on a person's door. With the door still closed, the person would ask: Who is at the door?
The land shark would reply: Flower delivery.
The person answering the door then said: You are that clever shark, aren't you?
And in response, the land shark said: Candygram.
If you don't know how the skit ended, the person eventually let the land shark in the door because that person believed the land shark when the land shark said he was a dolphin. And, yes, the land shark ate that person.
The moral of the land shark story is, don't let yourself be fooled that the Blue Dogs are fiscal conservatives because they are pursuing the same old tax-and-spend Washington game. Don't let the House of Representatives Blue Dogs' insatiable appetite for spending swallow the much-needed tax relief contained in the tax extenders." Source: GPO [S7728]
"By portraying themselves as fiscal conservatives, while in reality playing the same old tax-and-spend game, the Blue Dogs remind me of the land shark character played by Chevy Chase on ``Saturday Night Live.'' This was many years ago, so maybe some of you will not remember. But we have a picture of the land shark skit with the theme from ``Jaws'' playing in the background.
The land shark knocks on a person's door. With the door still closed, the person would ask: Who is at the door?
The land shark would reply: Flower delivery.
The person answering the door then said: You are that clever shark, aren't you?
And in response, the land shark said: Candygram.
If you don't know how the skit ended, the person eventually let the land shark in the door because that person believed the land shark when the land shark said he was a dolphin. And, yes, the land shark ate that person.
The moral of the land shark story is, don't let yourself be fooled that the Blue Dogs are fiscal conservatives because they are pursuing the same old tax-and-spend Washington game. Don't let the House of Representatives Blue Dogs' insatiable appetite for spending swallow the much-needed tax relief contained in the tax extenders." Source: GPO [S7728]
Invasive Plants, Tax Credit for Commuting, Background Checks & Homeless Shelters: July 30, 2008
On the Senate side, here is a bi-partisan bill to get rid of invasive plants that are hurting the fish and wildlife in many areas of the country:
By Mr. NELSON (D-FL)(for himself, Ms. STABENOW (D-MI), Ms. COLLINS (R-ME) , Mr. CARDIN (D-MD), and Mr. MARTINEZ (R-FL)):
S. 3366. A bill to protect, conserve, and restore native fish, wildlife, and their natural habitats at national wildlife refuges through cooperative, incentive-based grants to control, mitigate, and eradicate harmful nonnative plant species, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Source: GPO [S7780]
A couple interesting bills in the House, the first would surely be appreciated by many working citizens, but the question is how to pay for it. The second bill deals with providing incentives to build homeless shelters. The last one makes a lot of sense to me, requiring background checks for anyone who will need a firearm.
By Mr. CAMPBELL (R-CA) (for himself, Mr. SHADEGG (R-AZ), Mr. PENCE (R-IN), Mr. FEENEY (R-FL), Mr. BROUN (R-GA), Mr. LAMBORN (R-CO), Mr. DAVIS (R-KY), Mr. CHABOT (R-OH), Mrs. BACHMANN (R-MN), Mr. BARTLETT (R-MD), Mr. DAVID DAVIS (R-TN), Mr. DOOLITTLE (R-CA), Mr. WALBERG (R-MN), Mr. KUHL (R-NY), Mr. BARRETT (R-SC), Mr. GOODE (R-VA), Mrs. MYRICK (R-NC), Mr. KLINE (R-MN), Mrs. MUSGRAVE (R-CO), Mrs. SCHMIDT (R-OH), Mr. BISHOP (R-UT), Mr. LATTA (R-OH), Mr. POE (R-TX), Mrs. BLACKBURN (R-TN), Ms. FOXX (R-NC), Mr. GINGREY (R-GA), Mr. WESTMORELAND (R-GA), Mr. MCHENRY (R-NC), and Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN (R-CA)):
H.R. 6667. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a deduction for the cost of fuel used for commuting to and from work whether or not the taxpayer itemizes other deductions; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Source: GPO [H7628]
By Mr. JEFFERSON (D-LA):
H.R. 6674. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for building homeless shelters in areas warranting assistance due to incidents of national significance; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Source: GPO [H7628]
By Mrs. McCARTHY (D-NY)(for herself, Mr. Kirk (R-IL), Mr. Conyers (D-MI), Mr. Moran (D-VA), Mr. Shays (R-CT), Mr. Rangel (D-NY), Mr. Castle (R-DE), Mr. Rothman (D-NJ), and Mr. Kennedy (D-RI)):
H.R. 6676. A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to require background checks for employees authorized to possess or transfer firearms or ammunition in the course of a licensed firearms business; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [H7628]
By Mr. NELSON (D-FL)(for himself, Ms. STABENOW (D-MI), Ms. COLLINS (R-ME) , Mr. CARDIN (D-MD), and Mr. MARTINEZ (R-FL)):
S. 3366. A bill to protect, conserve, and restore native fish, wildlife, and their natural habitats at national wildlife refuges through cooperative, incentive-based grants to control, mitigate, and eradicate harmful nonnative plant species, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Source: GPO [S7780]
A couple interesting bills in the House, the first would surely be appreciated by many working citizens, but the question is how to pay for it. The second bill deals with providing incentives to build homeless shelters. The last one makes a lot of sense to me, requiring background checks for anyone who will need a firearm.
By Mr. CAMPBELL (R-CA) (for himself, Mr. SHADEGG (R-AZ), Mr. PENCE (R-IN), Mr. FEENEY (R-FL), Mr. BROUN (R-GA), Mr. LAMBORN (R-CO), Mr. DAVIS (R-KY), Mr. CHABOT (R-OH), Mrs. BACHMANN (R-MN), Mr. BARTLETT (R-MD), Mr. DAVID DAVIS (R-TN), Mr. DOOLITTLE (R-CA), Mr. WALBERG (R-MN), Mr. KUHL (R-NY), Mr. BARRETT (R-SC), Mr. GOODE (R-VA), Mrs. MYRICK (R-NC), Mr. KLINE (R-MN), Mrs. MUSGRAVE (R-CO), Mrs. SCHMIDT (R-OH), Mr. BISHOP (R-UT), Mr. LATTA (R-OH), Mr. POE (R-TX), Mrs. BLACKBURN (R-TN), Ms. FOXX (R-NC), Mr. GINGREY (R-GA), Mr. WESTMORELAND (R-GA), Mr. MCHENRY (R-NC), and Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN (R-CA)):
H.R. 6667. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a deduction for the cost of fuel used for commuting to and from work whether or not the taxpayer itemizes other deductions; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Source: GPO [H7628]
By Mr. JEFFERSON (D-LA):
H.R. 6674. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for building homeless shelters in areas warranting assistance due to incidents of national significance; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Source: GPO [H7628]
By Mrs. McCARTHY (D-NY)(for herself, Mr. Kirk (R-IL), Mr. Conyers (D-MI), Mr. Moran (D-VA), Mr. Shays (R-CT), Mr. Rangel (D-NY), Mr. Castle (R-DE), Mr. Rothman (D-NJ), and Mr. Kennedy (D-RI)):
H.R. 6676. A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to require background checks for employees authorized to possess or transfer firearms or ammunition in the course of a licensed firearms business; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [H7628]
Food Protection, Social Program Drug Testing & Dyed Diesel: July 29, 2008
On the Senate side, here is a great bill, I don't think we could ever do enough food protection, espcially in light of the many recent issues with food-borne illnesses:
By Mr. REID (D-NV)(for Mr. OBAMA (D-IL)):
S. 3358. A bill to provide for enhanced food-borne illness surveillance and food safety capacity; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Source: GPO [S7629]
This is a very interesting, and sure to be controversial, bill from the Senate. It would require families received TANF, which is financial assistance from the government, to be drug tested. I'm certain their will be issues with cost, privacy, accuracy, etc. but it would be a way of determining that government assistance is not getting smoked or snorted.
By Mr. VITTER (R-LA):
S. 3361. A bill to amend title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to implement a drug testing program for applicants for and recipients of assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; to the Committee on Finance. Source: GPO [S7629]
On the House side, another bill that may be controversial to allow dyed diesel to be used on rural highways. At the moment, dyed diesel fuel is only allowed in off-road vehicles such as tractors and recreational vehicles:
By Mr. HILL (D-IN):
H.R. 6634. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow dyed diesel to be sold in rural areas for use in highway vehicles; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Source: GPO [H7306]
By Mr. REID (D-NV)(for Mr. OBAMA (D-IL)):
S. 3358. A bill to provide for enhanced food-borne illness surveillance and food safety capacity; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Source: GPO [S7629]
This is a very interesting, and sure to be controversial, bill from the Senate. It would require families received TANF, which is financial assistance from the government, to be drug tested. I'm certain their will be issues with cost, privacy, accuracy, etc. but it would be a way of determining that government assistance is not getting smoked or snorted.
By Mr. VITTER (R-LA):
S. 3361. A bill to amend title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to implement a drug testing program for applicants for and recipients of assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; to the Committee on Finance. Source: GPO [S7629]
On the House side, another bill that may be controversial to allow dyed diesel to be used on rural highways. At the moment, dyed diesel fuel is only allowed in off-road vehicles such as tractors and recreational vehicles:
By Mr. HILL (D-IN):
H.R. 6634. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow dyed diesel to be sold in rural areas for use in highway vehicles; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Source: GPO [H7306]
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Troubled Schools & Drugged Submersibles: July 28, 2008
On the Senate side, here are a couple bills. One that would providing monies for additional counselors at troubled schools and the other bill deals with drug-trafficking and submersibles.
By Mr. CASEY (D-PA):
S. 3347. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to create a demonstration project to fund additional secondary school counselors in troubled title I schools to reduce the dropout rate; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Source: GPO [S7573]
By Mr. BIDEN (D-DE) (Mr. GRASSLEY (R-IA), and Mrs. FEINSTEIN (D-CA)):
S. 3351. A bill to enhance drug trafficking interdiction by creating a Federal felony for operating or embarking in a submersible or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Source: GPO [S7573]
There were no bills introduced in the House.
By Mr. CASEY (D-PA):
S. 3347. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to create a demonstration project to fund additional secondary school counselors in troubled title I schools to reduce the dropout rate; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Source: GPO [S7573]
By Mr. BIDEN (D-DE) (Mr. GRASSLEY (R-IA), and Mrs. FEINSTEIN (D-CA)):
S. 3351. A bill to enhance drug trafficking interdiction by creating a Federal felony for operating or embarking in a submersible or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Source: GPO [S7573]
There were no bills introduced in the House.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Working Weekends & Child Porn Task Forces: July 26, 2008
The Senate was in on Saturday and Sunday this past weekend, the House was out of session. Here's one of the few bills introduced in the Senate Saturday and it's a great one:
By Mr. COBURN (R-OK):
S. 3344. A bill to defend against child exploitation and child pornography through improved Internet Crimes Against Children task forces and enhanced tools to block illegal images, and to eliminate the unwarranted release of convicted sex offenders; read the first time. Source: GPO [ S7526]
By Mr. COBURN (R-OK):
S. 3344. A bill to defend against child exploitation and child pornography through improved Internet Crimes Against Children task forces and enhanced tools to block illegal images, and to eliminate the unwarranted release of convicted sex offenders; read the first time. Source: GPO [ S7526]
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