It's NOT about the Smuggler's Gulch

Reuter's fell for the GOP spin on section 102 of the REAL ID Act, H.R. 418, which empowers the DHS Secretary to waive all laws: The House rejected an effort by some Democrats to strike a provision aimed at completing a 14-mile fence near San Diego meant to stop illegal immigrants flowing over the Mexican border.

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Congress Votes to Waive All Laws for Homeland Security

The House of Representatives voted 243 to 179 today to reject an amendment that would have stripped section 102 from the REAL ID Act of 2005 (H.R. 418). The bill, as passed, would empower the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive any federal laws, without limit, in the course of building barriers along the nation's borders.

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Monster.com Supports Volunteers!

Monster Supports Volunteerism by Launching a New Online Volunteer Center in Alliance with Idealist.org and boardnetUSA.org, Two Leading Volunteer Sites!

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House votes to place DHS above the law

It's official: the House voted 179-243 against an amendment from Rep. Sam Farr to strip out from the Sensenbrenner immigration bill a provision that would place DHS above the law. The bill then passed 261-161. CQ is reporting that the bill "faces an uncertain reception in the Senate. But to force that chamber to consider it, House GOP leaders plan to attach it to the Iraq war supplemental that President Bush is expected to submit to Congress next week."

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Post opposes measure placing DHS above the law

The Washington Post today came out against the section of the Sensenbrenner immigration bill that would place DHS above the law. From the editorial page:

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Anti-OSHA bills to come back

Word is circulating that Rep. Norwood is planning to re-introduce bills from last year that would undermine OSHA's ability to serve America's workers, in yet another give-away of public protections to corporate special interests. Norwood circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter to solicit additional supporters of his bills, which he will reintroduce tomorrow. Click here for more information on the bills as they were introduced in the 108th.

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Groups Tell Congress to Reject Measure Placing DHS Above All Law

Citizens for Sensible Safeguards sent the House of Representatives a letter signed by 15 member organizations opposing language in the pending immigration bill that would empower the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive any and all law, without limits.

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Treasury Dept. Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines Miss the Mark

Background information regarding the Treasury Dept.'s Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines for Domestic U.S. Charities, and current status of efforts to have them revised.

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Groups Tell Congress to Reject Measure Placing DHS Above All Law

Citizens for Sensible Safeguards sent the House of Representatives a letter opposing section 102 of H.R. 418, the "REAL ID Act of 2005." The measure would empower the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive any and all law, without limits. It is a dangerous provision that would put a government official above the law. Download the PDF here.

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Budget Details

The FY 06 budget proposal submitted yesterday by the President includes severe cuts for all non-defense discretionary spending. Under the President's plan, discretionary spending in areas other than defense and homeland security would fall by nearly 1 percent. Click here to see a Washington Post breakdown of how the President's $2.57 trillion budget proposal affects each individual agency. Click here and here for information on how the President's budget proposal would directly affect the budgets of states. Click here, here, here, here, and here for good budget analyses by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. For a good synopsis on how this budget proposal is protecting the rich while leaving everyone else out, read this article by Robert Borosage. Also, be sure to check out the latest edition of the Watcher for articles from OMB Watch on the budget.

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