RSC Member Activity

2003

Following are RSC member driven initiatives, press releases, articles, and other conservative activity on issues of the day.

Letter to Secretary Ridge:  "strongly and unequivocally" opposing mass amnesty for illegal immigrants.  Sent by Rep. Steve King and 35 other House Republicans

Press Release:  praising the enactment into law of a provision to curb credit card abuse and wasteful spending at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).   
Released by Rep. Chris Chocola

Press Release:  highlighting "egregious" earmarks in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (H.R. 2673--"The Omnibus"). Last week, Rep. Flake highlighted the $100,000 appropriated for the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee.   Released by Rep. Jeff Flake

Trial Lawyers Don't Want Religious Jurors:  The RSC released a document showing how the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA) advises trial lawyers to exclude religious people from juries.
Press Release:  criticizing ATLA for its hostility toward people of faith Released by Rep. Tom Tancredo

Letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert:  expressing concerns over the spending levels in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (H.R. 2673--"the omnibus") and urging him to take "immediate and meaningful" steps to restrain federal spending Sent by Rep. Jim DeMint and 13 other House conservatives

Letter to the FDA:  urging regulators to 1) reject the petition to make the morning-after pill "as accessible to our teenage daughters as aspirin or hairspray;" and 2) revise the labeling for the morning-after pill to ensure women can exercise informed consent. Sent by 44 House Republicans, including RSC Chairman Sue Myrick (R-NC) and Values Action Team Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA)

 RSC Members' Reactions:  to the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision on McConnell v. FEC, which upheld most of the key provisions of the McCain-Feingold/ Shays-Meehan campaign finance regulation (Public Law 107-155).
To read a statement from:
Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA), click here.

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), click here.

Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA), click here.
Press Release:  highlighting "egregious" earmarks in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (H.R. 2673--"the omnibus"). Last week, Rep. Flake highlighted the $450,000 appropriated for the Johnny Appleseed Heritage Center in Ashland County, Ohio.       Released by Rep. Jeff Flake

Financial Customer Identification Verification Improvement Act (H.R. 3674):  which would prohibit the use of identification cards issued by foreign governments, including matricular consular cards, for purposes of verifying the identity of a person who opens an account at a U.S. financial institution.       Introduced by Rep. Scott Garrett

Press Release:  denouncing an Iowa judge's granting of a lesbian divorce. Released by Rep. Steve King

Press Release:  referring to "runaway" federal spending as "a cancer in the belly of sustained economic growth."      Released by Rep. Mike Pence

Press Release:  continuing to point out (on a daily basis) examples of "egregious pork" in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (H.R. 2673). In one instance, Rep. Flake highlighted the $325,000 for constructing a swimming pool in Salinas, California.    Released by Rep. Jeff Flake

Letter to FCC Chairman Michael Powell:  expressing "serious concern" over the recent FCC decision to allow U2 lead singer Bono to get away with using an expletive on national television.     Sent by Rep. Joe Pitts and 29 other House Republicans

OTC Medicine Tax Fairness Act of 2003:  which would make over-the-counter medicines tax-deductible.       Introduced by Rep. Jim DeMint

Press Release:  applauded the IRS' decision to investigate the financial practices and political expenditures of the National Education Association (NEA), which has been accused of illegally funding political activities.       Released by Rep. Charlie Norwood

Cervical Cancer Awareness Resolution:  will soon be introduced, recognizing the survivors of cervical cancer, the importance of educating the public about the disease, and how it can (and can not) be prevented. To read the text of the resolution, click here.    To be introduced by Rep. Mark Souder

Press Release:  pointing to a recent study by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) as further evidence that D.C. public schoolchildren "desperately need Congress to pass a D.C. school choice measure."    Released by Rep. Jeff Flake

Letter to the National Right to Life Committee:  decrying its decision to include the Medicare/Prescription Drugs conference report (H.R. 1) as a key pro-life vote on its congressional scorecard.  25 strongly pro-life Members voted against the conference report.      Sent by Rep. Jim Ryun and 31 other House Members (of both parties)

Press Release:  condemning the Massachusetts Supreme Court's decision last week that it is unconstitutional to limit marriage to a union of one man and one woman.    Released by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave

Press Release:  calling on House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-AK) to hold full committee hearings on transportation funding reforms, in order to avoid raising the gas tax.     Released by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave and RSC Chairman Sue Myrick

Letter to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao:  expressing "deep gratitude" for working to implement reforms of the financial disclosure forms unions must file annually under the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.      Sent by Rep. Sam Johnson and 30 other House Republicans

Letter to President Bush:  thanking him for his strong support at the United Nations of a total ban on human cloning.      Sent by Rep. Steve King and 29 other House Republicans

Press Release:  decrying the sharp increase in federal spending in fiscal year 2003.      Released by Rep. Jeff Flake

Letter to President Bush:  urging him to include a reserve fund for Social Security reform in his fiscal year 2005 budget submission.      Sent by Rep. Jim DeMint and 18 other House Members (of both parties)

Dear Colleague:  encouraging their House colleagues to urge the Senate to quickly name conferees and to remove any procedural roadblocks that might get in the way of prompt consideration of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (H.R. 1904).     Sent by Rep. Chris Cannon and Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter

Bill Text:  legislation to place an image of President Ronald Reagan on the dime in place of the current image of President Franklin Roosevelt.     To be introduced by Rep. Mark Souder

"The Visitor Information and Security Accountability (VISA) Act (H.R. 3452):  which would improve the nation's visa system in the interest of homeland security.  To read a summary of the bill, click here.   Introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions

Press Release:  regarding legislation (H.R. 3461) that would prevent the federal government from recognizing, for identification purposes, driver's licenses that do not meet certain standards, such as the number and types of forms of identification applicants must present to get one. The bill would also require driver's licenses for foreign nationals to expire on or before the expiration date of their visas.       Released by Rep. Jeff Flake

Dear Colleague:  regarding the Veterans Eye Treatment Safety (VETS) Act (H.R. 3473), which would prohibit non-physicians from performing laser eye surgery at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities or under contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs.   To read talking points about the bill, click here.      To be introduced by Rep. John Sullivan

Letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick:  urging him not to accept any exemptions for any products or sectors under the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) currently under negotiation      Sent by Rep. Kevin Brady and 35 other House Members (of both parties)

Letter to House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA):  urging him to include Retiree Medical Benefits Accounts (RMBAs) in the Conference Report for the Medicare Prescription Drugs bill (H.R. 1).      Sent by Rep. Sam Johnson and 12 other House Members

Dear Colleague:  regarding the Veterans' Right to an Attorney Act, which would allow veterans to hire private lawyers when appealing a benefits case. Currently, veterans may only hire counsel after the Board of Veteran's Appeals makes an unfavorable decision.     To be introduced by Rep. Trent Franks

Dear Colleague:  regarding the Securing America's Future through Enforcement Reform (SAFER) Act, a comprehensive immigration enforcement reform bill that would strengthen our borders, increase screening and tracking of aliens, remove alien terrorists, criminals, and human rights violators, enhance enforcement of the Immigration and Nationality Act, expedite removal proceedings, and reduce emergency immigration workload levels.  To read a summary of the bill, click here.      To be introduced by Rep. Gresham Barrett

Dear Colleague:  regarding an effort last week to oppose the Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act (H.R. 3214) because of concerns that flaws in the bill would allow convicted felons the opportunity to overturn their sentences based on a low standard of evidence.  The House passed H.R. 3214 by a vote of 357-67.  The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.     Sent by Rep. John Shadegg

Letter to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority:  expressing concerns and requesting further information about the free placement in the Washington, DC public transit system of ads saying "Enjoy Better Sex: Legalize and Tax Marijuana!"  To see the ad referenced in the letter, click here.      Sent by Values Action Team Chairman Joe Pitts, RSC Chairman Sue Myrick and other conservatives

Dear Colleague:  regarding legislation (H.R. 3460) that would prohibit U.S. assistance from being provided to the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people until the suspected perpetrators of the murders of American citizens in the Gaza Strip on October 15, 2003, are surrendered to the U.S. Government.      Introduced by Rep. Jeff Flake

Extensions of Remarks:  in the Congressional Record about his efforts to prevent the patenting of technology to clone human beings.      Sent by Rep. Dave Weldon

Dear Colleague:  regarding a resolution expressing the sense of the House that the Supreme Court should base its decisions upon the U.S. Constitution and not upon the law of any foreign country or any international law or agreement not made under U.S. authority.   To read the text of the resolution, click here.     To be introduced by Rep. Jim Ryun

Op-ed:  on "The Truth about Iraq.    Released by Rep. Marsha Blackburn

Op-ed:  about the condition of California's forests.    Released by Rep. John Doolittle

Press Release:  promoting his Military Academy First Amendment Protection Act (H.R. 2999), which would allow the military service academies to include the offering of a voluntary, nondenominational prayer in their activities. For more information on this bill:
Press Release, click here.
Dear Colleague, click here.
Press Release:  applauding the religious freedom provision in the Iraq Supplemental Appropriations Bill (H.R. 3289).    Released by Rep. Trent Franks

"The Freedom Flat Tax Act" (H.R. 1783):  legislation which would give taxpayers the ability to opt-in to a flat-tax income tax system.   Rep. Burgess is highlighting this article about Russia's success with the flat tax.    Introduced by Rep. Michael Burgess

Press Release:  RSC Chairman, Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC), appeared on CNBC's Kudlow & Cramer to defend the RSC's message on fiscal conservatism.   Released by RSC Chairman, Rep. Sue Myrick

Press Release:  regarding a press conference led by Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA) with a dozen House colleagues who also voted for the Medicare prescription drugs bill (H.R. 1), warning that they will not vote for any H.R. 1 conference report that does not contain Medicare reforms.   To read the letter to Speaker Hastert from these thirteen conservatives, click here.   Released by Rep. Marsha Blackburn

Letter to President Bush:  thanking him for expanding the "Mexico City Policy" (prohibiting population funding at the U.S. Agency for International Development from going to organizations that are involved in abortion activities) to population planning funds in the State Department.    Sent by Rep. Joe Pitts and four dozen other conservative House Members

TRAC Act:  a bill to create a Tax Reform Action Commission that would produce legislation to replace the federal tax code.  To view a power point presentation on the bill, click here;  To read proposed bill text, click here.    To be introduced by Rep. Jim DeMint

Press Release:  regarding his firsthand witness of the breakdown of the World Trade Organization's trade negotiations in Mexico.     Released by Rep. Steve King

Dear Colleague:  regarding legislation to prevent any non-emergency invasive physical exam (i.e. genital exam) by any Head Start agency without parental consent.      Released by Rep. John Sullivan

Press Release:  regarding his speech on the House floor in strong support of the Israeli government's prerogative to do "whatever is necessary to protect its people." "If this includes the expelling of Arafat," Rep. Weldon asserted, "so be it."     Released by Rep. Dave Weldon

"Medicare Safety Net Prescription Drug Act of 2003":  A bill which would set up accounts similar to Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) for prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries and provide catastrophic coverage for prescription drugs costs above a threshold amount.    To be introduced by Rep. Dan Burton

Press Release:  calling for the rejection of Ahmed Qurei, an ally of Yasser Arafat, as the new prime minister of the Palestinian Authority.      Released by Rep. Eric Cantor

Press Release:  calling on U.S. officials to seek new market opportunities for U.S. agriculture at last week's international trade negotiations in Cancun, Mexico.      Released by Rep. Gil Gutknecht

Press Release:  announcing the removal of a bird from Endangered Species List consideration after she petitioned Interior Secretary Gail Norton for the removal.  Released by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave

Op-Ed: on the failures of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Rep. Pombo points out that although more than 1300 species have been listed as threatened or endangered, the ESA has not recovered a single species since its inception in 1973.   Released by Rep. Richard Pombo

Op-Ed: declaring that, although he voted for the Medicare prescription drugs bill (H.R. 1), he will not vote for the conference report if it does not contain the reforms necessary to prevent Medicare from going bankrupt.   Released by Rep. Joe Pitts

Dear Colleague:  will soon reintroduce the Right to Life Act of 2003, which would prohibit any state or federal law that denies the personhood of the unborn, thereby effectively overturning Roe v. Wade.     Sent by Rep. Duncan Hunter

Press Release:  issued a statement supporting the display of the Ten Commandments in public buildings.     Released by Rep. Spencer Bachus

"Government Neutrality in Contracting Act (H.R. 2269):  which would preserve open competition and neutrality for federal and federally-funded construction projects.   Introduced by Rep. John Sullivan

Press Release:  RSC Member continues to work against raising the gas tax.      Released by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave

Dear Colleague:  will soon introduce legislation that would withhold a steadily increasing percentage of highway apportionments from states--such as California--that have enacted laws that permit the issuance of official state identification cards or driver's licenses to illegal aliens.     Sent by Rep. Tom Tancredo

H.Res. 343:  A resolution to amend House rules to limit service on the House Appropriations Committee to not more than three Congresses in a period of five successive Congresses.     Sent by Rep. Trent Franks

"Terrorist Tax Exemption Suspension Act" (H.R. 3002):  legislation which would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to suspend the tax-exempt status of designated foreign terrorist groups.      Introduced by Rep. Bob Beauprez

Summary of "The Retirement Security Act":  legislation which would allow workers to voluntarily create Social Security accounts funded from their payroll taxes on a gradually increasing basis. Rep. Smith will hold a press conference on this legislation on Wednesday, September 10th.       To be introduced by Rep. Nick Smith

Press Release:  praising last week's announcement by the U.S. Attorney's office that John Zuccarini was arrested and charged with his alleged creation of misleading Internet domain names to lure minors into logging onto pornographic websites. This prosecution is the first using the "Truth in Domain Names Act" that Rep. Pence authored.  To read a New York Times article about this issue raised by Rep. Pence, click here       Released by Rep. Mike Pence

Press Release:  lamenting the partisanship that defeated the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the Federal Court of Appeals.      Released by Rep. Marsha Blackburn

Letter to the Inspector General's Office in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):  regarding HHS' failure to educate the public about the dangers of human papillomavirus (HPV) and to prevent its spread and its harmful consequences, which include cervical cancer and death.     Sent by Rep. Mark Souder

Press Release:  regarding a travel journal of his official trip to Europe with House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL).     Released by Rep. Pete Hoekstra

Press Release:  regarding a congressional delegation (CODEL) report on his week-long intelligence trip to Iraq with fellow RSC members Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) and Rep. Jerry Moran (R-KS).     Released by Rep. Pete Hoekstra

Press Release:   promoting a temporary worker bill (H.R. 2899) that he introduced with Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and is calling for compromise on this complicated issue.    Released by Rep. Jeff Flake

Dear Colleague:  regarding legislation (H.R. 2900) that would prevent the Internal Revenue Service from removing the classification of motorsports facilities as "amusement facilities" for tax purposes. The proposed IRS reclassification would raise taxes on motorsports (e.g. NASCAR) facilities.       Sent by Rep. J.D. Hayworth

Press Release:  regarding legislation (H.R. 2978) to provide new capital gains tax relief for the sale of qualified farm or ranch property.  To read text, click here     Introduced by Rep. Lee Terry

"Rigs-to Reefs Act" (H.R. 2654):  legislation which would give the Secretary of Interior authority to create a program to encourage using decommissioned platforms for culturing marine organisms, as an artificial reef, or for scientific research.     Introduced by Rep. David Vitter

Dear Colleague:  urging his colleagues to co-sponsor a resolution (H.Con.Res. 106) that recognizes the 350th anniversary of Jewish communal life in North America.      Sent by Rep. Steve Chabot

Press Release:  criticizing the pharmaceutical companies that are taking actions to cut off the sale of pharmaceuticals to Canadian wholesalers that export to American consumers.   Released by Rep. Dan Burton

Press Release:   praising the Justice Department for its indictments last week of two individuals and one corporation on ten counts of violating federal obscenity laws.
Press Release:  to announce that he returned more than $100,000 of his 2002 office budget to the Treasury.     Released by Rep. Gil Gutknecht

Press Release:  to announce that the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly the INS) will allow extensions to U.S. families in the process of adopting Chinese children, and who were directly impacted by suspension delays as a result of the SARS epidemic.  Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge officially authorized such extensions last week.     Released by Rep. Anne Northup

Press Release:  regarding his statement at a subcommittee hearing about the dangerous consequences of smuggling illegal aliens.   Released by Rep. John Hostettler

Letter to FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan:  regarding new data revealing that one-third of HIV patients who smoke "medical" marijuana do so for "recreational" reasons and that the vast majority of such patients smoke marijuana for purported mental health reasons.      Sent by Rep. Mark Souder

Press Release:  legislation (H.R. 2602) to help ensure the Endangered Species Act is not used without sound scientific justification to restrict the use of the public lands.    Introduced by Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter

Dear Colleague:  letter gathering signatures on a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick in support of a free trade agreement with Panama.     Sent by Rep. Rick Renzi

Dear Colleague:  letter calling for an end to the "luxury" tax on beer.    Sent by Rep. Chris Cox

Dear Colleague:  letter supporting efforts to prevent unsolicited and fraudulent commercial e-mail ("spam").  To read more about H.R. 2214, the Reduction in Distribution of Spam Act, click here.   Sent by Rep. Melissa Hart, Rep. Cliff Stearns and Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner

Op-ed:  about tax policy and the sacrifices that surround such policy.    Released by Rep. Joe Pitts

"Congressional Responsibility Act of 2003" (H.R. 110):  legislation to require that all prospective federal regulations be subject to congressional approval before they become effective.  For bill text, click here.     Introduced by Rep. J.D. Hayworth

National Review Article:  about Rep. Wilson's recent official visit to North Korea. Includes article about this trip and a photo taken by Rep. Wilson of a North Korean billboard depicting the spearing of a symbolic American soldier.    Released by Rep. Joe Wilson

Dear Colleague:  letter regarding legislation (H.R. 2524) to remove J. Edgar Hoover's name from the FBI Building in Washington, DC.    Sent by Rep. Dan Burton

Op-ed:  touting the economic benefits of the tax-cut package (H.R. 2) passed last month.    Released by Rep. Jim DeMint

Floor Speech:   regarding the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.    To read a press release, click here.    Sent by Rep. Mike Pence

Press Release:  calling on European leaders to stop dealing with Yassir Arafat and discounted Arafat's call for peace.   To read a second press release, click here.     Sent by Rep. Eric Cantor

Dear Colleague:  letter promoting three pro-worker reform bills that he has reintroduced this Congress: the Labor-Management Accountability Act (H.R. 993), the Union Members' Right-to-Know Act (H.R. 992), and the Union Member Information Enforcement Act (H.R. 994).     Sent by Rep. Sam Johnson

"Pharmaceutical Market Access Act" (H.R. 2427):  to allow American consumers to import FDA-approved prescription drugs from FDA-approved facilities in 25 industrialized countries.     Introduced by Rep. Gil Gutknecht

"Seniors' Financial Security Act" (H.R. 2346):  which would repeal the tax on Social Security income for retirees.     Released by Rep. Trent Franks

Letter to President Bush:  expressing "shock" that the federal government has recently awarded several multi-million-dollar contracts to MCI, given the company's record of accounting fraud.      Sent by Rep. Sue Myrick, RSC Chairman and 13 other conservatives

Floor Speech:  in reference to placing the burden for Middle East peace on the Palestinians.      Delivered by Rep. Mike Pence

Letter to Treasury Secretary John Snow:  seeking clarification on the appropriate use of federal aid to the states, which was included in President Bush's tax cut package (H.R. 2).      Sent by Rep. Jeff Flake

Op-ed:  about partial-birth abortion.     Released by Rep. Joe Pitts

Op-ed:  about how the recently enacted tax-cut will help the economy.    Released by Rep. Tom Cole

"Children's Hope Act" (H.R. 2347):  scholarship tax credit legislation, which won praise from Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner.     Released by Rep. Trent Franks

Press Release:  applauding the efforts of IN-VEST USA to provide law enforcement officers across America with bulletproof vests using private funds only.    Sent by Rep. Joe Wilson

Op-ed:  about the importance of sea power to the American economy and national defense.    Released by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett

Dear Colleague:  letter promoting H.Con.Res. 37, urging the U.S. Postal Service to issue commemorative postage stamps honoring Americans who distinguished themselves by their service in the armed forces.    Sent by Rep. Jo Ann Davis

Op-ed:  concerning the trafficking of Colombia heroin in the United States.  The piece ran in the 6/6/03 edition of the Washington Times.   Released by Rep. Dan Burton

Op-ed:  calling the refundability of the child tax credit "welfare."    Released by Rep. Spencer Bachus

Press Release:  regarding legislation (H.R. 2303) to reduce the U.S. contribution to the United Nations' budget by more than $240 million annually.     Sent by Rep. J.D. Hayworth

Press Release:  applauding President Bush for signing the new tax cut package into law, yet lamented that the size of the tax cuts will only give the economy an "itty-bitty" push in the right direction.   Sent by Rep. Jeff Flake

Dear Colleague:  letter organizing a Congressional Caucus on Intellectual Property Promotion and Piracy Prevention.     Sent by Rep. Tom Feeney

"Medicare for the 21st Century Act":  information about sweeping Medicare reform legislation.    Introduced by Rep. Joe Barton, Rep. John Shadegg, Rep. Charlie Norwood, Rep. Steve Buyer, and Rep. Richard Burr

Dear Colleague:  letter proposing an overhaul to the Medicare system.    Introduced by Rep. Lee Terry

"The E-Rate Termination Act" (H.R. 1252):  legislation to eliminate the "e-rate" surcharge on taxpayers' monthly telephone bills.     Introduced by Rep. Tom Tancredo

Dear Colleague:  letter arguing that unrestrained deficit spending violates the principles of America's Founders.     Sent by Rep. John Sullivan

Floor Speech:  condemning the destruction of a September 11th memorial by anti-war protesters in California.     Delivered by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett

Dear Colleague:  letter in honor of Women's History Month, pointing out the pro-life stances of many of the leading women suffragists    Sent by Rep. Todd Akin

Press Release:  regarding a successful effort to replace "french fries" with "freedom fries" in all U.S. House food-service facilities. The move is a symbolic effort to show support for American troops protecting freedom abroad and displeasure with France's continued refusal to stand with the United States against Saddam Hussein.    Sent by Rep. Walter Jones

Dear Colleague:  calling for March 24th to be made a national day of fasting and prayer for guidance for our leaders and safety for our troops and the American people, in light of imminent military action against Iraq.  To read the text of a House resolution on this effort, click here.   To be introduced by Rep. Todd Akin

Dear Colleague:  pointing out that nearly all industrialized nations allow full or partial relief of dividend double taxation and thus have much lower dividend tax rates than does the United States.     Sent by Rep. John Sullivan

"The Public Lands Fire Regulations Enhancement Act" (H.R. 1038):  legislation to stiffen the penalties for ignoring fire bans on federal lands.     Introduced by Rep. Tom Tancredo

Dear Colleague:  regarding the "National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Act of 2003."  Legislation to address the needs identified by the families and their legal counsel, as well as many of the recommendations made by the Bush Administration.    To be introduced by Rep. Dan Burton

Press Release:  urging fellow House members who are concerned about the deficit to push for cuts in federal spending.    Sent by Rep. Jeff Flake

Press Release:  regarding legislation to transfer funding for "pork" projects to defense and homeland security.   To be introduced by Rep. Jeff Flake

Press Release:  regarding Rep. Flake's legislation to reduce pork-barrel spending and urging Congress to responsibly separate the "wants" from the critical "needs" in federal spending.    Released by Rep. John Shadegg

Dear Colleague:  regarding a resolution urging Congress to expend a minimum of 4% of GDP on national defense.   For more details, including text of the resolution, click here.   To be introduced by Rep. Sam Johnson

Press Release:  calling on his home-state senators and the entire U.S. Senate to close debate and bring the Appeals Court nomination of Miguel Estrada to a final vote.  Last week, a Senate vote to close debate ("cloture") and proceed to a final vote failed 55-44 (60 votes are needed to close debate).     Released by Rep. John Kline

Dear Colleague:  regarding a constitutional amendment to protect the public recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, the public display of the Ten Commandments, and public prayer.   To be introduced by Rep. Ernest Istook

H.R. 1049  legislation to allow cargo pilots to carry firearms and be trained as federal flight deck officers.    Introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson

"English Language Unity Act" (H.R. 997)  legislation to make English the official language of the United States.     Introduced by Rep. Steve King

"Municipal Debt Refinancing Act" (H.R. 1076)  legislation to give states and local governments more flexibility to refinance their existing debt portfolios, allowing them to take advantage of today's low interest rates, close their budget gaps, and meet public obligations.    Introduced by Rep. Pat Toomey

H.R. 167  legislation that would initiate the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.     Introduced by Rep. Thomas Reynolds

Last week, the RSC led House efforts to condemn Senate Democrat stall tactics on the confirmation of judicial nominee, Miguel Estrada. To read a letter (signed by 57 House members) to the Senate Democrat leadership and Judiciary Committee ranking minority member, Patrick Leahy, click here:
"Dear Colleague letters from RSC Members supporting the ban on all human cloning
Dear Colleague:  highlighting Iraq's intransigence regarding the no-fly zones. For example, Iraqi forces have fired on coalition aircraft patrolling the no-fly zones 331 times since the November 8th passage of UN Resolution 1441 and more than 3000 times since March 1991, when the zones were first raised. Further, Saddam Hussein has offered a reward to any solider who downs an American or British pilot.   For more details, including a log of each firing on coalition aircraft, click here.   Sent by Rep. Duncan Hunter

Dear Colleague:   letter touting all the benefits of ending the double taxation of dividends  Sent by Rep. Chris Chocola

H.R. 49 "Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act":  to permanently extend the moratorium on taxing Internet access, on double-taxing Internet transactions, and on treating Internet transactions differently from other types of transactions. To learn more, click here.   Introduced by Rep. Chris Cox

Press Release:  applauding the Supreme Court decision in favor of pro-life groups.   Released by Rep. Mark Souder

Press Release:  regarding legislation (H.R. 971) to raise the tax exclusion for interest (earned on savings) from zero to $100 and to change the $10 threshold for reporting interest paid to $100.    Introduced by Rep. Spencer Bachus

Press Release:  calling for an investigation into whether public land agencies (like the National Park Service) are adequately integrated into efforts to secure the nation's borders.    Released by Rep. Tom Tancredo

Fact Sheet:  regarding a constitutional amendment (H.J.Res. 106 in the 107th Congress) to be reintroduced soon to ban actual and virtual child pornography.   To be reintroduced by Rep. Henry Brown

Brochure:  pushing for Congress to allow the re-importation of pharmaceuticals.  (Features a chart comparing U.S., European, and Canadian pharmaceutical prices.)  Sent by Rep. Gil Gutknecht

Press Release:  regarding legislation (H.R. 926) to prohibit federal education funding for elementary of secondary schools that provide access to the "morning-after" pill (emergency postcoital contraception).    Introduced by Rep. Melissa Hart

Dear Colleague:  about a constitutional amendment (H.J.Res. 22) that would require Congress to balance the federal budget.   Introduced by Rep. Ernest Istook

"Annual Report on the United States Government 2002"  a two-page report showing how much money the federal government spent last year and how much it received in revenues.     Released by Rep. Chris Cox