Continuing Resolution Coming Soon

Sep 19, 2006 by Matt Lewis

We're getting reports that the White House has drawn up a "continuing resolution" that keeps the government funded if Congress, which it won't, has not passed all appropriations bills by October 1st. The CR would set funding at the lower of either the Senate or House-passed versions of each annual appropriations bills. This CR format will wreak havoc in programs that are funded by an appropriations bill that has passed at least one chamber. Congress used the same format last year to drastically cut many programs .

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Accounting Secrets: The Deficit Unmasked

Sep 19, 2006 by Matthew Madia

Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN)’s article in Roll Call today points out that “The Financial Report of the United States,” a document so embarrassing to the While House that it published only 2,100 copies this year, reveals a true accounting of the deficit -— one that encompasses veterans’ benefits, civil service retirement, Social Security, and Medicare. Cooper notes that a partial unmasking of the true extent of the nation’s financial condition was mandated this summer, when:

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American Muslim Relief Group Faces FBI Investigation

Sep 19, 2006 by Amanda Adams*

Yesterday the FBI along with the Joint Terrorism Task Force raided the Southfield, Michigan offices of a well respected American Muslim relief organization, Life for Relief & Development. The search warrants were obtained for criminal reasons, but no further reasoning has been disclosed. The charity is cooperating with this investigation, but there is concern about its timing. In less than a week Ramadan will begin, an important time for donations that would normally rise during the holy month.

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Wash Post: Reform to Nowhere?

Sep 19, 2006 by Dana Chasin

The transparent inadequacies of the new House rule on earmarks disclosure are enumerated in a powerful Washington Post editorial today. Noting the insufficency of disclosure, the modesty of the rule's scope and the Senate's to failure to act at all, the editorial concludes:

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Estate Tax: Where Are The Charities?

Sep 19, 2006 by Matt Lewis

A repeal of the estate tax may decrease charitable giving, yet charities have been largely silent on the issue. From Bloomberg News: That's the dilemma facing charities, universities, museums and other organizations that rely on donations as Senate Republicans consider another vote on permanently reducing the tax as early as this week. Most of the organizations are following [James] Tisch's advice, keeping mum on the issue in deference to their most generous patrons: the very wealthy who often serve on their boards.

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An Insignificant Number of Black Churches Gain from Faith-Baised Initiative

Sep 19, 2006 by Amanda Adams*

After the establishment of President Bush's faith-based initiative program in 2002, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies recently conducted a survey of over 700 black churches, concluding that black churches have only been minimally affected. This is detrimental to a vital and successful source of social service programs, especially in the northeast. However, despite some political concern that churches which ideologically support Bush would overwhelmingly be helped, liberal churches were more likely to apply for the grants.

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A Pasadena California Church In Defense of 2004 Antiwar Sermon

Sep 18, 2006 by Amanda Adams*

The Internal Revenue Service informed the All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena California that they have until September 29 to turn over all documents it produced during the 2004 election year that have references to any political candidate. In response to this investigation the rector will seek legal aid. All Saints came under IRS scrutiny shortly after Regas, the church's former rector, delivered a sermon that depicted Jesus in a mock debate with then-presidential candidates George W. Bush and John F. Kerry. The sermon did not endorse either candidate. . . .

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Calling for Deficit Honesty

Sep 18, 2006 by Matthew Madia

Columnist Allan Sloan has come out in favor of deficit figures that show the long-term consequences of our spend now-pay later fiscal policy. Today, on Marketplace: SCOTT JAGOW: We're less than two weeks from the end of the government's fiscal year and it looks like the federal budget deficit will come in about 20 percent smaller than last year, around $260 billion. Or it could be twice that amount if you do the math the way Newsweek's Allan Sloan does it. ALLAN SLOAN: $558 billion dollars, give or take a few buck for rounding errors.

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GAO Report Highlights Magnitude of Fiscal Challenge

Sep 18, 2006 by Matthew Madia

Earlier, Matt posted about a GAO report released today about the unsustainability of the federal budget. The report illustrates in six pages the enormity of the challenges the federal budget faces. And it makes clear that even if Congress allows the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts to expire, as is currently the law, the federal government will have to make serious changes to its current fiscal policy.

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When the Rules Hit the Road, Will Feathers Fly?

Sep 18, 2006 by Dana Chasin

As Congress nears its target adjournment date of Sept. 29, the odds of its passing more than a small handful of the outstanding FY 2007 spending bills are lengthening. Congressional procrastination means that passage of a continuing budget resolution will be necessary to keep the government operating when the 2007 fiscal year begins on Oct. 1, followed by a (probably lame-duck) omnibus spending package comprising appropriations bills uncompleted before the end of the year. These conference reports and omnibus packages are notorious vehicles for feather-bedding earmarks.

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