Rep. Adam H. Putnam was elected Republican Policy Chairman on February 2, 2006. The following Members have chaired the Policy Committee: Joe Martin (MA), 1949-1959 John Byrnes (WI), 1959-1965 John Rhodes (AZ), 1965-1973 Barber Conable (NY), 1973-1977 Del Clawson (CA), 1977-1979 Bud Shuster (PA), 1979-1981 Dick Cheney (WY), 1981-1987 Jerry Lewis (CA), 1987-1989 Mickey Edwards (OK), 1989-1993 Henry Hyde (IL), 1993-1995 Christopher Cox (CA), 1995-2005 John Shadegg (AZ), 2005-2006 More... Booming Revenues and Tax Relief The Largest One Day Collection of Receipts in U.S. History On September 15th, 2006, the U.S. Treasury collected more in receipts than on any other single day in U.S. history - $85.8 billion. This represents a 20 percent increase from the previous year’s total.   More... Entitlement Spending and the Budget In 2006, the most recent projection is that the deficit will come in at $260 billion, an improvement of $58 billion compared to 2005 and an improvement of $153 billion compared to 2004. For the ten-year budget outlook, the budget situation remains relatively stable, but with entitlement spending projected to increase as a percentage of the federal budget.   More... Job Gains in the U.S. Economy Three Years of Strong Jobs Growth The most recent jobs report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), covering the month of August, represents the thirty-sixth month in a row that the U.S. economy has added jobs. Since August 2003, the U.S. economy has added 5.7 million jobs, 1.7 million in the last year alone.   More... MEDICARE PART D MAKING THE GRADE Despite politically-driven misconceptions, the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan has been successful on various fronts. Recent data reveals that a greater number of individuals are receiving drug benefits with more options, at a lower price, and with higher overall satisfaction than ever before. This paper will describe the background of the Medicare Part D program, provide data and analysis regarding the programs success, as well as, discuss what challenges lie ahead.   More... THE FAILING HEALTH OF SMALL BUSINESS COULD ASSOCIATION BASED PLANS BE THE CURE? Small businesses in America are a pillar to our economy. Unfortunately, they are often plagued by the dilemma of how to efficiently and cost effectively offer healthcare to their employees. In the 109th, as well as, in previous Congress legislation regarding Association Based Plans, such as Association Health Plans (AHPs,) has been proposed to alleviate this stress on the American small business. This paper will provide some background to this problem for small business, a description and analysis of Association Health Plans, as well as, present the relevant legislative proposals in the 109th Congress.   More... Death Tax Relief and Fiscal Responsibility Tax Cuts and the Budget Tax cuts have two budgetary consequences. First, there is the impact on the federal budget. Second, there is the impact on the tax burden of the American people.   More... The Impact of Tax Relief on Deficit Reduction Deficit Levels In 2004, the federal budget deficit was projected to be $521 billion, which was 4.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This deficit was significant, but was largely spending-driven as a result of major challenges facing America, such as on-going military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. While Democrats heralded the “record deficit,â€쳌 it is important to view it in the context of our overall economy.   More... The Middle East in Conflict Upon Hamas’ victory in the Palestinian Parliamentary elections in January 2006, President Bush pledged not to support the government unless Hamas agreed to “recognize Israel, disarm, reject terrorism and work for a lasting peace.â€쳌 The Quartet (United States, Russian Federation, European Union and United Nations) also agreed to limit assistance to Hamas until they recognized Israel and abandoned violence. Since then, foreign aid to Hamas has been significantly decreased and the financial burdens within Palestinian areas have caused tensions between Palestinian factions.   More... Health Savings Accounts, The Consumer Driven Health Plan of the Future Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are an innovative initiative, combing consumer driven ideals with individual responsibility, as a means to fund health benefits. Since enacted, HSAs have been very successful, but there is still confusion and misconceptions regarding the way they operate. This paper details how HSAs work, who is eligible to enroll, and how they are funded, as well as, provide statistics on their success.   More... The American Values Agenda In June of 2006, Speaker Dennis Hastert announced the American Values Agenda. In a statement released following this announcement, the Speaker asserted that "through this agenda, we will work to protect the faith of our people, the sanctity of life and freedoms outlined by our founding fathers. Radical courts have attempted to gut our religious freedom and redefine the value system on which America was built. We hope to restore some of those basic values through passing this legislative agenda and renewing our country's commitment to faith, freedom and life."   More... The Need for Reform in the Credit Rating Agency Industry Credit rating agencies provide a vital service to investors who seek analysis of debt before investing. For the last thirty years, the Securities and Exchange Commission has created barriers to competition through the Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organization (NRSRO) designation process, which currently only "recognizes" five firms. Representative Fitzpatrick has introduced legislation (HR 2990) that reforms the NRSRO process and fosters competition and transparency within the industry. This paper explains the current process as well as its problems and provides an analysis of HR 2990.   More... The Flu Pandemic   More... Home Brew: The Methamphetamine Epidemic in America In the 1980s, cocaine was the drug of choice. In the 1990s, it was crack or heroin. Today, its Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as "speed," "meth," "chalk," "ice," "crystal," "glass," or "tina." Methamphetamine is easy to manufacture, cheap, and highly addictive. In recent years, meth abuse has risen to epidemic proportions. This paper examines the destructive effects of this drug, the escalation in abuse, and current legislative proposals to combat the meth epidemic.   More... Undoing Kelo Congress Takes on an Activist Supreme Court Decision   More... THE DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT: Savings Through Reform This year's Reconciliation proposal slightly reduces the growth of mandatory spending from 5.7 percent to 5.6 percent a year. It does not cut spending.   More... Homeward Bound: Long-term Health Care Needs of our Returning Veterans Many members of our armed forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are surviving injuries that previously would have been fatal. Advances in combat medicine have improved the delivery of emergency care and increased the survival rate. This has placed a higher burden on our ability to provide long-term care to our returning veterans. This paper examines modern-day combat medical response and veterans' long-term health care needs.   More... FAILING GRADE Democrats Proposed: Tax-payer Funded Universal College Education   More... Democrats Wrong Prescription on Health Care: Republicans Offer Choice, Lower Costs, and Better Care   More... Putnam, House Leaders Unveil Border Security Package More... New!       Speaker     Majority Leader     Majority Whip     Conference Committee     Senate Policy Committee