This week, the House passed the Children's Safety Act of 2005 which addresses the growing epidemic of violence against children. It enhances the safety of children from convicted sex offenders through coordinated State sex offender registration and notification programs. For the first time, the sex offender law will cover federally recognized tribal lands.

The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005 also passed. This bill authorizes approximately $8.7 billion in funding in FY 2006 for the Coast Guard to meet operation and maintenance expenses, capital needs, research and development efforts, and other purposes.

Also, the House passed the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005. This is a comprehensive package of tax relief for hurricane victims and tax incentives for those assisting in relief and recovery efforts.

Happy Constitution Day

Tomorrow marks the 218th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America. The longevity of this document is a testament to its inspired nature. More than two centuries after many of the best men America had to offer devised it in that sweltering room during the Philadelphia summer, the Constitution continues to ensure the greatest level of general peace, prosperity, and liberty available to any nation in the world. May we each do our part it defending and sustaining the principles it enshrines.

Pledge Attacked – Again

California courts have done it again by upholding the precedent set by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which ruled that recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional in public schools. U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled this week in favor of a lawsuit brought by Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow on behalf of three families whose children attend Northern California public schools. Once again, the Ninth Circuit’s liberal agenda is being imposed on millions of American school children. This ruling is evidence that the law of the land has become an open door for all activist judges to eliminate “under God” from the pledge. When the Supreme Court overturned this case due to procedural errors, it was obvious they had only offered a short term solution.

Now, it is clear that we need a more permanent solution to prevent future activist courts from selectively deleting the parts of the pledge that they dislike. That is why I have sponsored the Pledge Protection Act which would safeguard the First Amendment rights of all Americans by restricting the ability of federal courts from finding the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional.

So Which Is It?

The John Roberts confirmation hearing has provided plenty of interesting scenes and sound bites from the Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Despite the best efforts of his opponents, it seems that Judge Roberts is on his way to becoming our nation’s 17th Supreme Court Chief Justice. It is almost amusing how earnestly his detractors are to hoping he reveals something damaging about himself.

For example, even prior to this week’s hearing, Senator Ted Kennedy had pressed Judge Roberts to reveal his personal views on particular issues. Said he, “Judges are appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and it is our duty to ask questions on great issues that matter to the American people and speak for them. Judge Roberts, I hope you will respond fully and candidly to such questions, not just to earn our approval, but to prove to the American people that you have earned the right to a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land.” That is particularly interesting in light of Sen. Kennedy’s approach to the confirmation proceedings for Thurgood Marshall in 1967. He said at the time, “We have to respect that any nominee to the Supreme Court would have to defer any comments on any matters which are either before the court or very likely to appear before the court.” Well, so much for consistency.