House Republican Study Committee Update
March 10, 2003
Contents
* Palestinian Terrorism
* Message of the Week
* Conservative Activity
* Money Monitor
* Legislative Bulletins
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Palestinian Terrorism
In light of the American killed in last week's terrorist attack in Israel, the
RSC has updated its documents on:
Message of the Week
Each week, the RSC promotes a message around which conservatives are unified.
To read the message for March 5-11, 2003, regarding Iraq, click here:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/Message3503.pdf
To read RSC messages from previous weeks, click here: http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/news.htm
Conservative Activity
Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) this week will introduce legislation to transfer funding
for "pork" projects to defense and homeland security.
To read a press release about this legislation, click here:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/word/Flake31003.pdf
Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) is an original co-sponsor of Rep. Flake's legislation
to reduce pork-barrel spending and is urging Congress to responsibly separate
the "wants" from the critical "needs" in federal spending.
To read more of Rep. Shadegg's statement, click here:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/word/Shadegg31003.pdf
Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) soon will introduce a resolution urging Congress to
expend a minimum of 4% of GDP on national defense. For more details, including
the text of the resolution, please click the following two links:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/word/Johnson31003.doc
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/word/Johnson31003.pdf
Rep. John Kline (R-MN) called 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).
To read the statement from Rep. Kline, click here:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/word/Kline31003.doc
Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK) soon will introduce a constitutional amendment to
protect the public recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, the public display
of the Ten Commandments, and public prayer. For more information, click here:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/word/Istook31003.doc
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) has introduced legislation (H.R. 1049) to allow cargo
pilots to carry firearms and be trained as federal flight deck officers. For
more details, click here:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/word/Wilson31003.doc
Rep. Steve King (R-IA) has introduced legislation (H.R. 997) to make English
the official language of the United States. For more information, click here:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/word/King31003.doc
Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA) has introduced legislation (H.R. 1076) 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. To learn more, click here:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/word/Toomey31003.doc
Rep. Thomas Reynolds (R-NY) has introduced legislation (H.R. 167) that would
initiate the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. For more details,
click here:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/word/Reynolds31003.doc
For information on other activities of conservatives in the House, click here:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/activity.htm
The Money Monitor
Each week in "The Money Monitor," the RSC tracks how the bills passed
by the House would affect authorizations, mandatory spending, appropriations,
and federal government revenue. Last week, bills passed by the House would result
over five years in $1.34 Billion in authorizations, a net $175.5 million decrease
in mandatory spending, and a net $244.0 million decrease in federal revenue.
To view "The Money Monitor" for the week of March 3-7, 2003, which
includes year-to-date spending totals, click here:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/MoneyMonitor3303.pdf
To access earlier editions of "The Money Monitor," click here:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/budget.htm
Legislative Bulletins
Each week, the RSC analyzes the legislation that comes to the floor of the House.
Included in each "Legislative Bulletin" is a summary of the legislation,
relevant background information, cost to the taxpayer, constitutional authority,
and any concerns that conservatives may have. The Legislative Bulletins from
last week are linked below:
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/lb.htm
H.Res. 106--Congratulating Lutheran schools, students, parents, teachers, administrators,
and congregations across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education"
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/LB3403.pdf
(Passed 407-0)
http://clerkweb.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.exe?year=2003&rollnumber=40
H.Con.Res. 54--Expressing the sense of the Congress that there should be established
an annual National Visiting Nurse
Association Week
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/LB3403.pdf
(Passed 411-0)
http://clerkweb.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.exe?year=2003&rollnumber=41
H.Res. 111--Honoring the legacy of Fred Rogers and his dedication to creating
a more compassionate, kind, and loving world for children and adults
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/LB3403.pdf
(Passed 412-0)
http://clerkweb.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.exe?year=2003&rollnumber=42
H.R. 743--Social Security Protection Act
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/LB3503.pdf
(Failed 249-180, did not receive the two-thirds vote required for passage under
suspension of the rules)
http://clerkweb.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.exe?year=2003&rollnumber=44
H.R. 1047--Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/LB3503.pdf
(Passed 415-11)
http://clerkweb.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.exe?year=2003&rollnumber=45
H.J.Res. 27--Recognizing and commending the continuing dedication, selfless
service, and commitment of members of the Armed Forces and their families during
the Global War on Terrorism and in defense of the United States
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/LB3503.pdf
(Passed 426-0)
http://clerkweb.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.exe?year=2003&rollnumber=46
H.R. 13--The Museum and Library Services Act
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/LB3603.pdf
(Passed 416-2)
http://clerkweb.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.exe?year=2003&rollnumber=47
H.R. 878--Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act
http://www.house.gov/burton/RSC/LB3603.pdf
(Pulled from the House floor prior to consideration)
