Yesterday, it was announced that John Boehner and Harry Reid had reached an early agreement on the FY 2013 budget in order to avoid a government shutdown on October 1. Pursuant to the agreement, both chambers will vote on a 6-month continuing resolution after returning from the August recess in September. The CR will provide spending for discretionary programs set at the $1.047 trillion level | Read More »
If you want to understand the fundamental difference between the pale-pastel and the bold-colored wings of the GOP, take a look at this Politico profile of Jim DeMint. With Kay Bailey Hutchison retiring at the end of the year, Jim DeMint is slated to become the new Chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in the 113th Congress. It is so unique for a | Read More »
If Obamacare is the worst piece of legislation passed by Obama and the Democrats, Dodd-Frank is clearly close behind on the list. This pernicious bill, sponsored by the instigators of the financial and housing crises, will permanently alter our financial markets for the worst just as Obamacare will kill the healthcare sector if it’s not repealed. I’ve met many small business owners who are contemplating | Read More »
Last week, Senator Jim DeMint said the following regarding the stakes between Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst in the Texas Senate race: “A Republican majority is pointless if it isn’t achieved w/ conservatives who will fight to stop the spending and debt.” His comments cannot be more oracular. If we win back control over the Senate, yet keep the same leadership intact, we will be | Read More »
Update: All 4 amendments were defeated, meaning we won 2 and lost 2. DeMint’s devolution amendment failed 30-67 with 14 Republicans (including McConnell) voting no; Stabenow’s green energy pork amendment failed 49-49; DeMint’s repeal of all energy subsidies failed 26-72; the Menendez-Burr handouts for natural gas cars failed 51-47. 6 Republicans supported the subsidies, including Tom Coburn! This might seem like a stalemate, but the | Read More »
Update: The Senate postponed the three energy subsidy amendments until next week. Instead, they voted on amendments to drill in the outer continental shelf, expedite the keystone pipeline, and eliminate duplicative programs. Needless to say, Democrats killed all three of those amendments. We’ll fight on next week. We’ve been gunning hard for the Pompeo/DeMint bill, which would end all subsidies and special tax preferences for | Read More »
If I were pressed to offer one anecdote exemplifying our failure to elect consistent conservatives to Congress last November, the story of Senator Jerry Moran and Big Wind would be at the top of the list. In 2010, then-Congressman Jerry Moran beat former Congressman Todd Tiahrt for the Republican nomination for Senate in Kansas running as a red meat conservative. He easily won the seat | Read More »
Aside from defeating Obama, the most important goal of the 2012 elections is to win back the Senate. Or is it? On days like today we should begin to wonder if there really would be much of a difference when there are 51 senators with an R next to their name as opposed to just 47. In another terrible day on the Hill, Senate Republicans | Read More »
The most effective proposal for dealing with the debt ceiling vote that has the backing of conservatives is the Cut, Cap, and Balance plan brought forth by the RSC. Accordingly, virtually every major conservative organization has coalesced around a pledge forcing all members of Congress to support the plan as a condition to raising the debt ceiling. The presidential candidates are also being recruited to | Read More »
This week’s legislative schedule in both houses of Congress will provide Republicans (and faux moderate Democrats) a unique opportunity to efface farm welfare by eliminating ethanol credits/tariffs and direct farm subsidies. On the House side, the annual Agriculture Appropriations bill is expected to hit the floor as early as Tuesday. Earlier this month, the Appropriations Committee passed the FY 2012 Ag bill, cutting $2.6 billion | Read More »
Last week, Nevada Senator John Ensign resigned his seat, creating a vacancy on several Senate committees. While Congressman Dean Heller will fill Ensign’s Senate seat, a member with more seniority will be appointed to his coveted slot on the Senate Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is considered a prized “Super-A committee” due to the extent and relevance of its jurisdiction, which includes trade, taxes, Social | Read More »
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