Legislative Watch

May 14

The FOCUS Act Hearing: Unpersuasive Criticisms and Tacit Admissions

By , The Heritage Foundation

    Thankfully, the law sometimes reflects common sense. Here’s an example: Innocent people ordinarily do not remain silent when accused of having committed a crime or some other misconduct. As the result, it is reasonable to infer that such an accusation is true if a person does not deny it. In the law, that sensible proposition is embodied in the doctrine of “Tacit Admissions.” The doctrine works as follows: If someone accuses you of a crime or unethical conduct and you don’t deny it, a jury can infer that you committed what you are alleged to have done. read on
May 14

Special WH Access For Obama-Tied, Anti-Gun Groups Against Voter ID Laws

The Judicial Watch Blog

A radical leftwing group that’s led a damaging boycott against corporations that support gun rights and voter identification laws has special access to the Obama White House and strong ties to top Democrats, according to internal documents obtained in the course of a Judicial Watch investigation. read on

Apr 30

Fleming Reintroduces No Special Treatment for Members of Congress: HR 615

U.S. Rep. John Fleming (R-La.)
Three years ago we stood together in the midst of the health care debate to send a message to Washington: Congress must live with the laws it creates. Members who were writing the health care law were trying to exempt themselves from all of its requirements, so I drafted House Resolution 615 to say that any health care law should also apply to Congress. You joined me in that fight and your voice was heard. They did not succeed in their attempts at self-exemption. read on
Apr 28

‘The American Tax Code: A Weapon of Mass Destruction’

By U.S. Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.)

As a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army, I learned a thing or two about weaponry. Our success in Desert Storm and Desert Shield depended on choosing the correct artillery for each specific objective, whether it was halting the enemy’s forward progress, diminishing the strength of its forces, or completely destroying its capabilities.

Although he has never served his country in uniform, or risked his life to defend its freedoms and liberties on distant shores, President Obama seems to understand a thing or two about weaponry as well. read on

Apr 23

Kline Statement on Stafford Loan Interest Rates

By U.S. Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.)

Chairman John Kline issued the following statement today as President Obama begins his campaign push to temporarily freeze the interest rate on subsidized Stafford Loans made to undergraduate students:

“Bad policy based on lofty campaign promises has put us in an untenable situation. We must now choose between allowing interest rates to rise or piling billions of dollars on the backs of taxpayers.  I have serious concerns about any proposal that simply kicks the can down the road and creates more uncertainty in the long run – which is what put us in this situation in the first place. My colleagues and I are exploring options in hopes of finding a responsible solution that serves borrowers and taxpayers equally well.” read on
Apr 18

It’s Time to Codify the Free Tax Filing Program

By U.S. 

This is the time of year when Americans have calculated to the penny how much of their money must be paid to the government. Not only do the folks at Treasury require families to give them the product of their labor, but the IRS makes them labor for hours to give them your money.

Studies show that Americans spend more than six billion hours a year complying with federal taxes. That means that, on average, each taxpaying household spends the equivalent of a week’s work preparing their taxes. The total compliance cost adds up to about $228 billion a year. As heavy a burden as this may be, many Americans can actually avoid spending their own limited resources on filing taxes. read on

Apr 18

Senate Bill 1813 Gives IRS Power to Revoke Your Passport

This was a comment from a reader that I felt explained in honest thought the problems with this act:

The USA continues to take away the freedom of Americans. This bill has already passed the senate, it is very important that you contact your representatives to oppose senate bill 1813 and request that the amendment giving new power to the IRS to revoke and suspend passports removed. It is very easy to contact your representatives by email, here is the link. https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Below is my draft response to my representative, it may be helpful for other people that oppose this bill and also explains my views. You are welcome to use whatever you want when you contact your representatives.

I oppose S.1813 – Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012. I also oppose the attached Amendment giving power to the IRS to revoke and suspend passports. read on

Apr 11

Stop Loopholes in Federal Farm Payments

A Safe and Abundant Food Supply

By Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa)

Chances are pretty good you’ve enjoyed at least one meal today before reading the words here in front of you. Due in large measure to generations of hard-working farm families, Americans continue to benefit from a safe and abundant food supply.

Much has been said lately about the one percent vs. the 99 percent in America, usually in a political context. But there’s another one percent-99 percent divide in America that isn’t making headlines or firing up social media users.

Did you know that one percent of Americans grow the food that feeds the other 99 percent? read on

Apr 06

The Military and Veterans Educational Reform Act of 2012

By Tom Philpott for Military.com

What if the military gave every service member an expensive car as a reward for honorable service, but they could take delivery only at night and the headlights didn’t work? Many of those gift cars might end up damaged.

Something similar is happening to thousands of veterans leaving service with Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility worth tens of thousands of dollars. The government is providing an extraordinary benefit but doing little to light the way for beneficiaries to use the program well and reach their destination. read on

Apr 03

Tipton Acts to Protect Health Care for Seniors

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) issued this statement following the bipartisan passage of H.R. 5, the PATH Act, today, in the House of Representatives. The PATH Act protects seniors by blocking implementation of the controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), which if put into effect under the President’s health care law would jeopardize the ability of seniors to access care, and insert federal bureaucrats in the middle of doctor-patient relationships.

“The IPAB could harm senior citizens and would change the way Medicare functions as we know it. This panel of unelected bureaucrats would be tasked by the President to cut Medicare programs without any public input, making critical health care decisions for seniors by determining which care options they can and can’t receive. read on

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