This week, the House approved an economic stimulus package which contained tax rebates for most individuals, investment incentives for small businesses, and increased home-buying assistance from government-sponsored enterprises like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The House adjourned for the week on Tuesday in order to accommodate the annual planning meetings for the Democrat Caucus.

Not for Illegals

The economic stimulus package approved by the House this week will provide tax rebates and incentives in order to create growth in our economy, similar to the 2001 and 2003 plans which resulted in record revenues and decreasing budget deficits. Contrary to some press reports, illegal immigrants are not eligible to receive checks under the House bill. Illegal immigrants, of course, do not have their own Social Security numbers, so if they file with the IRS, they must take one of the following three routes, any one of which could lead to their being identified as committing fraud, and increasing the likelihood that they will be located and deported. First, they can attempt to use someone else’s stolen Social Security number, which is fraud. The IRS attempts to identify fraud both on a real-time basis and as part of its ongoing enforcement and program integrity efforts. Second, they can fabricate a Social Security number. Tax returns accompanied by non-existent Social Security numbers should be rejected as invalid, although much of that enforcement currently occurs through on-going program integrity efforts (as opposed to identifying the error in real-time and flagging the return for further attention). Nevertheless, those who use such fabricated numbers face real risks of being identified as committing tax fraud and facing resulting penalties. Lastly, they can obtain an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). ITINs, however, are not valid for work and illegal immigrants who enter the workforce generally do not attempt to use an ITIN either as proof of employability or for the purpose of filing a tax return, because an ITIN on a tax return is a clear indication it was filed by a non-citizen. Therefore, illegal immigrants who attempt to benefit from this plan, under the House bill, will only be increasing their chances of being forced to leave our country.

FEMA for the Dogs?

It has been two and half years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast and exposed flaws in our nation’s federal emergency response capability. So what has the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the chief agency tasked with emergency response, accomplished in the years following one of the deadliest natural disasters in the U.S. history? Working with the Army, it has used its resources to produce a DVD in order to present public officials with the best preparedness guidelines for evacuating America’s pets. Topics on the DVD include how to estimate the number of animals in a community, and the issues surrounding moving animals across state lines. FEMA then went further to develop a DVD for pet owners, and even produced a version in Spanish. While animals play an important part in some people’s lives, FEMA should be concerned with saving the lives of Americans. Unfortunately, Congress spearheaded this effort to elevate the lives of animals above that of humans when it passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Act of 2006 requiring FEMA to develop a plan for pets in evacuations. It is outlandish that at a time when FEMA continues to face criticism over its capabilities, Americans face an uncertain economy, and Democrats are proposing tax increases on millions of Americans, FEMA is spending taxpayer dollars on programs that do nothing to secure the safety of Americans.

Quote of the Week

“We just have to slow down our economy and cut back our greenhouse gas emission 'cause we have to save the planet for our grandchildren.” – While a bipartisan agreement was approved this week to create growth in our economy, former President Bill Clinton had other plans. January 30, 2008.