This week, the House and Senate agreed upon a final economic stimulus plan, which will now be sent to the President to be signed into law. The plan will provide tax rebates to individuals, tax incentives for small businesses, and will raise limits on government-assisted home sales. The House also passed H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act, which reauthorizes the federal government’s major federal student aid programs to expand postsecondary education opportunity, particularly for low-income individuals, and to increase affordability for moderate income families. These programs also provide service and support to disadvantaged students and to students pursuing international educations and certain graduate and professional degrees.

Military Recruiters Harassed (Again)

Three years after voters in San Francisco attempted to force city policymakers to prohibit military recruiters from public schools in order to push a radical anti-war agenda, another bay area city has taken offensive actions to impede military recruiting. Last week, the Berkeley City Council passed a resolution calling the Marines “unwelcome and uninvited intruders” and provided a parking space to the leftist anti-war group Code Pink outside of the Marines recruiting office in the city. Code Pink is well known for using vandalism and other activities to prevent recruiters from doing their jobs. Furthermore, the city council asked its city attorney to investigate whether the Marine Corps recruiting station had violated any municipal anti-discrimination laws in another attempt at harassment.

I find these actions insulting to the U.S. Marines who, for 233 years, have defended the very rights that the Berkeley City Council has used to dismiss the Marines as “uninvited intruders.” It is even more egregious that the city council will use public funds and special treatment for leftist groups to harass and impede the recruiters’ work. These actions should not be tolerated. The Berkeley City Council needs to be held responsible for undermining an important part of our national security. In response, I have cosponsored legislation that condemns this action by the city council and asks that any special federal projects appropriated to the city in 2008 be rescinded. Thankfully, the action of this city council is not representative of the sentiment of our country as a whole, which respects and honors our Marines for their brave commitment to our nation.

The President’s Budget

This week, the President submitted his annual budget plan to Congress for Fiscal Year 2009. According to the White House, this budget is focused on four main objectives: addressing immediate economic challenges, ensuring sustained prosperity, keeping America safe, and balancing the budget by 2012. The budget contains several legislative proposals, but perhaps the most important facet of the entire 2,222-page plan is the extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. If Congress fails to extend that tax relief, American families will be faced with new taxes beginning this year. In 2008, taxpayers will not be allowed to deduct their state and local general sales taxes from their federal income tax or adjust their income for qualified tuition and related expenses. In 2009, taxpayers will lose tax credits for building energy efficient homes. In 2010, businesses will lose their ability to deduct certain expenses. In 2011, the marginal income tax rates will increase, the marriage penalty will return, the death tax will increase, the capital gains rate will increase, and the child tax credit will be cut in half. These are just a few examples of the impending tax increases that Congress must address before they take effect. Already, several Democrat leaders in the House and Senate have announced the President’s budget plan “Dead on Arrival,” but they may want to take a better look at the consequences for the wallets of the American people.

Quote of the Week

“This is a waste of taxpayer money.” – Joseph Romm, a senior fellow at the liberal Center for American Progress, discussing an $89,000 check written by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to buy “carbon credits” from the Chicago Climate Exchange. The Washington Post, January 28, 2008.