Government Matters

Democrats Pledge Ethics Reforms

Two weeks after the election, attention has turned to considering what the results mean for government priorities and the likely impacts on the way Congress operates. Democratic leaders in the House and Senate are working on an agenda for the 110th Congress that includes ethics and lobbying reform proposals as part of their "100 Hours" initiative. As incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said, "We will start by cleaning up Congress, breaking the link between lobbyists and legislation and commit to pay-as-you-go, no new deficit spending."

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Senate Committee Set to Vote on Dudley for Regulatory Czar

The Senate is likely to vote in December on the nomination of Susan Dudley to be the new regulatory czar, according to Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). Despite widespread criticism from the public interest community on the nomination, a confirmation hearing in which Dudley evaded disclosing much about her views, and new concerns about a perception of a conflict regarding her husband serving as head of an office that writes environmental regulations, it appears that Collins's committee will move forward with the nomination.

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Same Old Congress, Same Old Budgetary Gridlock: Long-Term CR Likely in December

Congress has made very little progress toward being able to finally adjourn for the year, leaving most of their appropriations work, a set of popular tax breaks, and funding problems in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program still unaddressed. With time running out, Congress will probably pass another extension of a budget-cutting continuing resolution, once again neglecting its duty to enact the annual spending bills.

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Threat of Estate Tax Rollback Finished for 2006

Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) admitted last week the Senate was unlikely to pass any permanent reduction to the estate tax in 2006, despite repeated attempts and rhetorical ultimatums from Frist and his allies.

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Americans Demand New Direction in New Congress

With the midterm elections over, exit polling and voter reactions indicate Americans want reform on issues close to home, and not the partisanship and corruption of Congress’s past. In a post-election letter from Executive Director Gary Bass, OMB Watch solicited responses from its email subscribers and appreciates the thoughtful and insightful comments. The responses received make one thing clear: Americans want our nation led down a new path - one with honest campaigns, an inclusive economy, and a clean environment.

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Tumultuous Week for Voting Rights, Confusing Week for Voters

A series of last-minute court cases and pre-election maneuvers will likely leave many voters confused about their rights as they go to the polls today. Widespread concern surrounds electronic voting and a host of voter identification requirements that could create inequities at polling centers across the country. Legal challenges to voter requirements will not be resolved until after this election cycle, so concerned groups have launched new efforts to document voter fraud and disenfranchisement of minorities, and elderly and disabled persons.

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Congress Continues Insufficient Oversight of Federal Contracts

Even as reports of contracting fraud and contractor malfeasance continue to stack up, Congress has taken steps to reduce the federal government's capacity to investigate and oversee how government contracts are awarded and administered.

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ACORN Voter Registration Drive Investigated

Voter registration drives sponsored by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) are being investigated by federal authorities and the Senate Finance Committee after allegations that fraudulent voter registration cards were submitted in four of its 17 state efforts. The group is cooperating with authorities and says misconduct by temporary workers appears to be at the root of the problem.

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Tax Policy on the Campaign Trail

During the current campaign season, both Democrats and Republicans have allowed election-year rhetoric to distort the true nature and outcomes of current tax policy. The administration and Republicans across the country assert that Democrats plan to raise taxes for most citizens and that these "tax increases" would devastate the economy. At a recent campaign rally in Colorado, Bush was direct in asserting this view: And the American people must understand the facts; if you vote Democrat you're voting for a tax increase.

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Nuclear Commission Re-proposes Secrecy Rule

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has once again proposed a revision to its rules on information that should be withheld from the public under a category called Safeguards Information (SGI). The rule was originally proposed in February 2005. Now based on public comments and changes to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the NRC has proposed additional changes. While apparently narrowing the scope of some provisions, making it harder to withhold information, the amended rule would significantly expand SGI's definition, inserting language and add a new category of covered information -- Safeguards Information-Modified Handling (SGI-M).

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