Sen. Lincoln Called Out on "Incoherent Vision of Gov't"

Jun 20, 2006 by Adam Hughes*

Sen. Blanche Lincoln was called out in the LA Times on Sunday by The New Republic Senior Editor Jonathan Chait for what he called Lincoln's "incoherent vision of government." Chait points out the irony of Lincoln's actions on June 8 when she went to the Senate floor to speak passionately for repeal of the estate tax to protect mythical small farms and businesses while in the very same day delivering an irate speech about the need for more government investment in anti-hunger programs.

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278 Groups Tell Congress to Stop Sunset Commission Proposals

National, state and local organizations from across the country sent a letter to both the House and the Senate opposing legislation to create a sunset commission. Download the letters in PDF format:
  • Letter to the House of Representatives (6/19/2006)
  • Letter to the Senate (6/19/2006)

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Don't Put Federal Programs on Chopping Block, Groups Tell Senate

Jun 19, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Sunset commission language in Sen. Gregg's "S.O.S. Act" would put federal programs at risk from an unelected and unaccountable commission, according to a letter to the Senate from over 250 national, state, and local groups. Download the letter.

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Nonprofits Ask Members to Disable "Logic Puzzles"

Jun 19, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Over 100 organizations came together to send a letter to Congress on June 19th, asking that legislators stop using software that blocks constituent messages sent through organization websites. For the letter and its signers, click here.

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Steve King Says No Fed Funds If We Don't Agree With You

Jun 19, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Last week, the House approved an amendment offered by Steve King striking the federal funding for a gay and lesbian center. He says: “The gay and lesbian center in Los Angeles is free to advocate their views, but I do not believe that taxpayers should be forced to subsidize an organization that is so radically opposed to traditional values the overwhelming majority of Americans hold dear.” For the whole press release.

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Line-Item Veto Act on Congressional Agenda

Jun 19, 2006 by Adam Hughes*

Tomorrow the Senate Budget Committee will be marking up the Legislative Line Item Veto Act. On June 15, the House Rules Committee approved legislation (H.R. 4890) that would give line-item veto power to President Bush, in an 8-4 party-line vote.

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MSHA Finally Changes Course with Massey Energy?

Jun 17, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Many of you have probably seen the NYT clip today about MSHA's decision to file suit against Massey Energy, charging that Massey has failed to cooperate with the investigation into a deadly coal mine fire: Federal mine safety regulators filed a lawsuit on Friday against one of the largest mining companies in the country in an effort to force its officials to cooperate with the investigation of a deadly fire in January at a West Virginia coal mine.

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Form 990 Revisions Will Be Available for Comment in May 2007

Jun 16, 2006 by Guest Blogger

According to BNA, the IRS will be making a draft of a redesigned Form 990 available for comment by May 2007 for the 2008 tax year. Exempt Organizations Director Lois Lerner, at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants conference on June 14 said that the "form is being completely redesigned so that, first and foremost, it can be used as a compliance tool for IRS". And,she said, "We are trying to make the form make sense".

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Shelby Expects Senate to Take Up GSE Bill This Summer

Jun 16, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Freddie Mac wants to help move legislation forward in the Senate that would create a new regulator and is making progress toward an anticipated financial restatement, said Chief Executive Daniel Mudd to a Senate committee. Sen. Richard Shelby should welcome that news. He is still pushing for tighter controls over Fannie and Freddie. Legislative action has been stalled in the Senate over the issue of limiting Fannie and Freddie Mac's massive holdings of mortgage-backed securities.

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Newt On Electioneering Communications Black-out Period

Jun 16, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Newt Gingrich on BCRA, and the electioneering communications rule: This is horribly wrong. What would the Founding Fathers have thought of such free speech “blackout periods”? The days leading up to an election ought to be filled with debate. Free speech and activism, by informing and organizing the public, empower average citizens to promote a cause they believe in and to demand honest and responsive representation. Instead, the incumbent politicians that supported McCain-Feingold prefer to keep us quiet and prevent us from making noise about their records as Election Day gets closer.

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