On the House Floor
This week, the House voted 221 to 205 to pass H.R. 2206, which makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the War on Terror. Unfortunately, it only frees up funds through the end of July and requires another vote at that time to make funds available through the end of September. Such continued funding uncertainty does not allow military commanders to make long-term strategic plans.
The House also voted 409 to 13 to approve H.R. 1873, the Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act, which will revise and add to Small Business Administration requirements concerning contract bundling. H.R. 1684, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act, passed 296 to 126, authorizing appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08). Additionally, the House voted 225 to 197 to approve H.R. 2082, the Intelligence Authorization Act.
Homeland Insecurity Bill
On Wednesday, House Democrats passed the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act. Unfortunately, it is what they did not pass that is important for the American public to know. Among the programs Democrats did not think important enough to keep in the bill were the following: immigration status checks of workers at airports and power plants, maritime alien smuggling enforcement, improving security of the student and exchange visitor program, authorizing biometric identification of illegal aliens, prohibiting DHS grants and contracts to universities barring Coast Guard recruiters, using first responder grants to fund training and exercises, and protecting America’s food supply from attack.
On the other hand, the bill did contain provisions that limit the effectiveness of the DHS. Currently, DHS has a unique human resources management program that allows the department secretary greater workforce flexibility to meet terrorist threats and promoting a “pay for performance” environment in order to attract and retain a highly-qualified workforce. H.R. 1684 repeals this authority. Furthermore, it strips the President of his authority to waive certain personnel provisions if they have an adverse impact on DHS’s ability to protect the homeland. Needless to say, this is a step backward for the federal government’s primary mission – protecting American lives and freedom.
Tax Cuts Keep Working
The Republican tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 keep on working – and so are the American people. Yesterday’s U.S. Treasury report confirms that tax relief is not only good for individual families, but for the nation collectively as well. The same pro-growth policies that are now threatened by congressional Democrats have led to a strong and growing economy. Not only has job creation continued uninterrupted since the 2003 tax cuts were enacted, but the federal deficit continues to fall (it is down $103 billion from this time last year). At the same time, tax revenues are at record levels, up by 11 percent compared to last year. However, despite this undeniable progress, congressional Democrats are determined to pass the largest tax increase in U.S. history. Not only will this mean an average $1,800 tax hike for American families, but it also threatens continued economic growth and shrinking of the deficit. As the old adage says, if it ain’t broke…
Small Budget Victory
When the House passed the FY08 budget resolution on March 29th, it redirected the fiscal ship of state into dangerous waters fraught with icebergs – a cluster of unprecedented tax hikes and spending increases. At the time, Republicans proposed a substitute plan that would have preserved the Bush tax cuts, extended relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax for one year, balanced the budget by 2012 without raiding the current Social Security revenue surplus, protected defense spending, increased veterans’ benefits, and reformed entitlement programs. Unfortunately, the amendment failed. However, a procedural vote this week offers a glimmer of hope. The Republicans succeeded in passing a motion to instruct the budget conference committee to reject the massive House tax increase and stop plundering the short-term Social Security surplus. Although it is non-binding, this is a small but significant victory in the effort to right the federal government’s fiscal course.
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