Quotes of the Day
“It will be necessary for us to be a nation of men, and not laws.” – Dick Cheney
“We can’t be so fixated on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans…” – Bill Clinton
Subject: The Worst of All Worlds
Why did nearly half the Democrats in the House vote for the “FISA Amendments Act” that’s now pending in the Senate, when most of them had opposed warrantless spying and telecom immunity before? The answer is that they were bribed, using your tax dollars.
In other words, House Democrats voted to continue the war and sold the Fourth Amendment for $95 billion.
Republicans say they want less spending. Democrats say they want less war. What’s their compromise? More spending and more war.
Indeed, House Democrats supported the Iraq bill at a higher rate than Republicans did.
So much for the “anti-war message” sent by the American people in the 2006 elections!
This sort of “compromise” brings us the worst of all worlds. It’s the kind of world expressed in the views of Dick Cheney and Bill Clinton above. Politicians of both parties get annoyed when gadflies start talking about the Constitution and America’s proud traditions of individual rights, liberty, and the rule of law. To them, “laws” and “rights” are just bargaining chips to use in passing their spending bills.
The current course they’re plotting will lead to economic collapse, fiscal bankruptcy, an Orwellian Big Brother police state, and a faltering, over-extended military empire. Who knows what kind of chaos or despotism will follow.
But the people don’t have to wait for things to fall apart. Instead, we can put massive, persistent, resistance-numbing pressure on Congress. Apply the pressure, and members of Congress will bend, and then they will flip-flop. They will have to, if they want to keep their jobs.
So let’s tell Congress that the American people do not tolerate their cavalier attitude toward Constitutional rights and the rule of law.
Tell them to pass the “One Subject at a Time Act,” which would have forced them to separate the Iraq bill from domestic bills. Tell them you’re aware the Democrats in the House sold out in return for increased domestic spending. Tell them you don’t like having your tax dollars used as bribes.
And keep telling the Senate to oppose the “FISA Amendments Act.”
In your comments on all of these messages tell them you’re proud we’re a nation of laws, not men. Tell them OSTA and RTBA will help restore liberty by making it more difficult to sweep aside Constitutional rights in legislative horse trading.
Also, please consider joining the “Read the Bills Act Coalition.” When you add “Read the Bills Act Coalition” button, banner, or tower ad on your website, we’ll link to it from our blog and announce it in a Downsizer-Dispatch like this one, reaching almost 23,500 subscribers. To learn more, click here.
This week we welcome two new members to the Coalition:
Reinke Faces Life
The Virginian Rebel
Finally, in the last two weeks of June the House passed 44 bills totaling 969 pages, while the Senate passed 34 bills and 269 pages of legislation. A list of bills is available below.
Thank you for being part of the growing Downsize DC Army.
James Wilson
Assistant to the President
DownsizeDC.org
The following are the bills the House and Senate passed last week. The bills were passed by voice vote except where indicated. Roll call votes for the House are found here, and for the Senate here. The descriptions of bills are essentially taken verbatim from the Congressional Record Daily Digest. Page numbers of bills are based on the pdf display of the latest version from the Government Printing Office.
Senate: 34 bills, 269 pages
Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 814, to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue regulations mandating child-resistant closures on all portable gasoline containers, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 2 pages
911 Modernization and Public Safety Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3403, to promote and enhance public safety by facilitating the rapid deployment of IP-enabled 911 and E-911 services, encourage the Nation’s transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network, and improve 911 and E-911 access to those with disabilities, and the bill was then passed, 7 pages
District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority Independence Preservation Act: Senate passed H.R. 5778, to preserve the independence of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, clearing the measure for the President. 2 pages
Deficit Reduction Act: Senate passed S. 2607, to make a technical correction to section 3009 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, 4 pages
NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 2159, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the bill was then passed, 22 pages
Higher Education Act Extension: Senate passed S. 3180, to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965. 1 page
Conrad B. Duberstein United States Bankruptcy Courthouse: Senate passed H.R. 430, to designate the United States bankruptcy courthouse located at 271 Cadman Plaza East in Brooklyn, New York, as the “Conrad B. Duberstein United States Bankruptcy Courthouse”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Theodore L. Newton, Jr., and George F. Azrak Border Patrol Station: Senate passed H.R. 2728, to designate the station of the United States Border Patrol located at 25762 Madison Avenue in Murrieta, California, as the “Theodore L. Newton, Jr., and George F. Azrak Border Patrol Station”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
James M. Ashley and Thomas W.L. Ashley United States Courthouse: Senate passed H.R. 3712, to designate the United States courthouse located at 1716 Spielbusch Avenue in Toledo, Ohio, as the “James M. Ashley and Thomas W.L. Ashley United States Courthouse.”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Timothy J. Russert Highway : Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 3145, to designate a portion of United States Route 20A, located in Orchard Park, New York, as the “Timothy J. Russert Highway”, the bill was then referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works and then discharged from further consideration, and the bill was then passed. 1 page
Spottswood W. Robinson III and Robert R. Merhige, Jr., Federal Courthouse: Senate passed S. 2403, to designate the new Federal Courthouse, located in the 700 block of East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, as the “Spottswood W. Robinson III and Robert R. Merhige, Jr., Federal Courthouse”. 1 page
Theodore Roosevelt United States Courthouse: Senate passed S. 2837, to designate the United States courthouse located at 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York, as the “Theodore Roosevelt United States Courthouse”. 1 page
J. James Exon Federal Bureau of Investigation Building: Senate passed S. 3009, to designate the Federal Bureau of Investigation building under construction in Omaha, Nebraska, as the “J. James Exon Federal Bureau of Investigation Building”. 1 page
Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock and Dam: Senate passed H.R. 781, to redesignate Lock and Dam No. 5 of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System near Redfield, Arkansas, authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act approved July 24, 1946, as the “Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock and Dam”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Rafael Martinez Nadal United States Customhouse Building: Senate passed H.R. 1019, to designate the United States customhouse building located at 31 Gonzalez Clemente Avenue in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, as the “Rafael Martinez Nadal United States Customhouse Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Richard B. Anderson Federal Building: Senate passed H.R. 4140, to designate the Port Angeles Federal Building in Port Angeles, Washington, as the “Richard B. Anderson Federal Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Water Resources Development Act: Senate passed H.R. 6040, to amend the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 to clarify the authority of the Secretary of the Army to provide reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by members of the Committee on Levee Safety, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Foreclosure Prevention Act: By 79 yeas to 16 nays (Vote No. 157), Senate concurred in the amendment of the House of Representatives striking section 1 through Title V and inserting certain language to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3221, to provide needed housing reform, with Reid (for Dodd/Shelby) Amendment No. 4983, of a perfecting nature, 154 pages
Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act: Senate passed H.R. 6327, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, clearing the measure for the President. 2 pages
African National Congress: Senate passed H.R. 5690, to remove the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization for certain acts or events, provide relief for certain members of the African National Congress regarding admissibility, after agreeing to the committee amendment. 4 pages
Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act: Senate passed S. 2565, to establish an awards mechanism to honor exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty by Federal, State, and Local law enforcement officers, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. 26 pages
John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act: Senate passed H.R. 3986, to amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. 4 pages
Maritime Pollution Prevention Act: Senate passed H.R. 802, to Prevent Pollution from Ships to implement MARPOL Annex VI, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. 15 pages
Criminal History Background Checks Pilot Program: Senate passed S. 3218, to extend the pilot program for volunteer groups to obtain criminal history background checks. 4 pags
Dr. Bernard Daly Post Office Building: Senate passed S. 3015, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 18 S. G Street, Lakeview, Oregon, as the “Dr. Bernard Daly Post Office Building”. 1 pages
Reverend Earl Abel Post Office Building: Senate passed S. 3082, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1700 Cleveland Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, as the “Reverend Earl Abel Post Office Building”. 1 page
Marine Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 3721, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1190 Lorena Road in Lorena, Texas, as the “Marine Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry Post Office Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Marisol Heredia Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 4185, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11151 Valley Boulevard in El Monte, California, as the “Marisol Heredia Post Office Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Cody Grater Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 5168, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 19101 Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville, Florida, as the “Cody Grater Post Office Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
William “Bill” Clay Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 5395, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11001 Dunklin Drive in St. Louis, Missouri, as the “William `Bill’ Clay Post Office Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Alonzo Woodruff Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 5479, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 117 North Kidd Street in Ionia, Michigan, as the “Alonzo Woodruff Post Office Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Texas Military Veterans Post Office: Senate passed H.R. 5517, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7231 FM 1960 in Humble, Texas, as the “Texas Military Veterans Post Office”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Rocky Marciano Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 5528, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 Commercial Street in Brockton, Massachusetts, as the “Rocky Marciano Post Office Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Regulatory Improvement Act: Senate passed H.R. 3564, to amend title 5, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the Administrative Conference of the United States through fiscal year 2011; 2 pages
HOUSE: 45 bills 2739 pages (including veto override of 1770-page farm bill)
Captive Primate Safety Act: H.R. 2964, amended, to amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to treat nonhuman primates as prohibited wildlife species under that Act and to make corrections in the provisions relating to captive wildlife offenses under that Act, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 302 yeas to 96 nays, Roll No. 414; 10 pages
Montana Cemetery Act of 2008: H.R. 3702, amended, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to D756convey certain land in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Montana, to Jefferson County, Montana, for use as a cemetery, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 396 yeas with none voting “nay”, Roll No. 415; 6 pages
Granting a Federal charter to Korean War Veterans Association, Incorporated: S. 1692, to grant a Federal charter to Korean War Veterans Association, Incorporated–clearing the measure for the President; 4 pages
Revising the short title of the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006: S. 188, to revise the short title of the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006–clearing the measure for the President; 2 pages
Amending certain laws relating to Native Americans: H.R. 5680, amended, to amend certain laws relating to Native Americans; 8 pages
Fair, Accurate, Secure, and Timely Redress Act of 2008: H.R. 4179, amended, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish an appeal and redress process for individuals wrongly delayed or prohibited from boarding a flight; 13 pages
Biometric Enhancement for Airport-Risk Reduction Act of 2008: H.R. 5982, amended, to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, for purposes of transportation security, to conduct a study on how airports can transition to uniform, standards-based, and interoperable biometric identifier systems for airport workers with unescorted access to secure or sterile areas of an airport; 10 pages
Catching Operational Vulnerabilities by Ensuring Random Testing Act of 2008: H.R. 5909, amended, to amend the Aviation and Transportation Security Act to prohibit advance notice to certain individuals, including security screeners, of covert testing of security screening procedures for the purpose of enhancing transportation security at airports; 10 pages
National Bombing Prevention Act of 2008: H.R. 4749, amended, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the Office for Bombing Prevention, to address terrorist explosive threats; 15 pages
Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Support Act: H.R. 1333, amended, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the Air Force to use Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions; 4 pages
Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act: H.R. 2631, amended, to strengthen efforts in the Department of Homeland Security to develop nuclear forensics capabilities to permit attribution of the source of nuclear material; 10 pages
Public Housing Disaster Relief Act of 2008: H.R. 6276, to repeal section 9(k) of the United States Housing Act of 1937; 4 pages
American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act: Concur in Senate amendment to H.R. 634, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of veterans who became disabled for life while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States–clearing the measure for the President. 3 pages
Presidential Veto Message–Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008: Read a message from the President wherein he announced his veto of H.R. 6124, to provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, and explained his reasons therefor–ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-125). 1770 pages
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 6063, to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, by a yea-and-nay vote of 409 yeas to 15 nays, Roll No. 421. Consideration of the measure began on Thursday, June 12th. 70 pages
John P. Gallagher Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6150, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14500 Lorain Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, as the “John P. Gallagher Post Office Building”; 1 page
Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System Authorization Act: H.R. 5710, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority for the planning, design, and construction of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System, by 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 301 yeas to 124 nays, Roll No. 425; 10 pages
Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Remediation Act of 2008: H.R. 5511, amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to remedy problems caused by a collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville, Colorado; 2 pages
Gerald R. Ford Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6085, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 42222 Rancho Las Palmas Drive in Rancho Mirage, California, as the “Gerald R. Ford Post Office Building”; 1 pages
Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 5781, to provide that 8 of the 12 weeks of parental leave made available to a Federal employee shall be paid leave, by a yea-and-nay vote of 278 yeas to 146 nays, Roll No. 428. 9 page
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008: The House agreed to the Senate amendments to the House amendments to the Senate amendment with an amendment, made in order by the rule and printed in H. Rept. 110-720, to H.R. 2642, making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. 94 pages
Amending the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence: The House passed H.R. 6304, to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence, by a yea-and-nay vote of 293 yeas to 129 nays, Roll No. 437. 116 pages
Amending the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 to exempt from the means test in bankruptcy cases, for a limited period, qualifying reserve-component members who, after September 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less than 60 days: H.R. 4044, amended, to amend the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 to exempt from the means test in bankruptcy cases, for a limited period, qualifying reserve-component members who, after September 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less than 60 days; 7 pages
Providing emergency authority to delay or toll judicial proceedings in United States district and circuit courts: H.R. 6344, to provide emergency authority to delay or toll judicial proceedings in United States district and circuit courts; 12 pages
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Act of 2008: H.R. 6109, amended, to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to reauthorize the pre-disaster hazard mitigation program; 6 pages
Old Post Office Building Redevelopment Act of 2008: H.R. 5001, amended, to authorize the Administrator of General Services to provide for the redevelopment of the Old Post Office Building located in the District of Columbia; 1 pages
Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act: H.R. 2452, amended, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to ensure that sewage treatment plants monitor for and report discharges of raw sewage; 12 pages
Amending the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 to clarify the authority of the Secretary of the Army to provide reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by members of the Committee on Levee Safety: H.R. 6040, to amend the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 to clarify the authority of the Secretary of the Army to provide reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by members of the Committee on Levee Safety; 2 pages
New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008: The House agreed by unanimous consent to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3403, to promote and enhance public safety by facilitating the rapid deployment of IP-enabled 911 and E-911 services, encourage the Nation’s transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network, and improve 911 and E-911 access to those with disabilities–clearing the measure for the President. 7 pages
Amending titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to extend expiring provisions under D803the Medicare Program, to improve beneficiary access to preventive and mental health services, to enhance low-income benefit programs, and to maintain access to care in rural areas, including pharmacy access: H.R. 6331, amended, to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to extend expiring provisions under the Medicare Program, to improve beneficiary access to preventive and mental health services, to enhance low-income benefit programs, and to maintain access to care in rural areas, including pharmacy access, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 355 yeas to 59 nays, Roll No. 443; 280 pages
Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2008: H.R. 6327, amended, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, by a 2/3 recorded vote of 422 ayes with none voting “no”, Roll No. 447; 6 pages
Fostering Connections to Success Act: H.R. 6307, amended, to amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to assist children in foster care in developing or maintaining connections to family, community, support, health care, and school; 60 pages
Veterans’ Epilepsy Treatment Act of 2008: H.R. 2818, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the establishment of Epilepsy Centers of Excellence in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs; 6 pages
Euripides Rubio Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic Designation Act: H.R. 4289, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Ponce, Puerto Rico, as the “Euripides Rubio Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic”; 2 pages
Credit Union, Bank, and Thrift Regulatory Relief Act of 2008: H.R. 6312, to advance credit union efforts to promote economic growth, modify credit union regulatory standards and reduce burdens, and to provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions; 30 pages
Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2008: H.R. 5687, amended, to amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees. 16 pages
Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2008: The House began consideration of H.R. 5876, to require certain standards and enforcement provisions to prevent child abuse and neglect in residential programs. Further proceedings were postponed. 32 pages
Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 6275, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide individuals temporary relief from the alternative minimum tax, by a recorded vote of 233 ayes to 189 noes, Roll No. 455. 40 pages
ADA Amendments Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 3195, to restore the intent and protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, by a yea-and-nay vote of 402 yeas to 17 nays, Roll No. 460. 16 pages
Directing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to utilize all its authority, including its emergency powers, to curb immediately the role of excessive speculation in any contract market within the jurisdiction and control of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, on or through which energy futures or swaps are traded: H.R. 6377, to direct the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to utilize all its authority, including its emergency powers, to curb immediately the role of excessive speculation in any contract market within the jurisdiction and control of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, on or through which energy futures or swaps are traded, and to eliminate excessive speculation, price distortion, sudden or unreasonable fluctuations or unwarranted changes in prices, or other unlawful activity that is causing major market disturbances that prevent the market from accurately reflecting the forces of supply and demand for energy commodities, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 402 yeas to 19 nays, Roll No. 468. 5 pages
Elwood “Bud” Link Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic Designation Act: H.R. 2245, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Wenatchee, Washington, as the Elwood “Bud” Link Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic; 1 page
Michael Bilirakis Department of Veterans Affairs Spinal Cord Injury Center Designation Act: H.R. 4264, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs spinal cord injury center in Tampa, Florida, as the “Michael Bilirakis Department of Veterans Affairs Spinal Cord Injury Center”; 1 page
Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Designation Act: H.R. 4918, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Miami, Florida, as the “Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center”; 1 page
Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 6052, to promote increased public transportation use and to promote increased use of alternative fuels in providing public transportation, by a recorded vote of 322 ayes to 98 noes, Roll No. 467. 20 pages
Removing the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization for certain acts or events and providing relief for certain members of the African National Congress regarding admissibility: The House agreed to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 5690, to remove the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization for certain acts or events and to provide relief for certain members of the African National Congress regarding admissibility–clearing the measure for the President. 4 pages