Another Possible Excellent Giant Step

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) this month endorsed President Bush’s proposal for a line-item veto that would give the president the power to strike specific earmarks from appropriations and tax bills.  Ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1998, the most recent law to provide a line-item veto allowed the president to cancel specific spending items and certain tax benefits from the final versions of legislation.  Congress could reinstate the items with a two-thirds vote.  Then-President Bill Clinton vetoed 82 items, saving $2 billion over five years.  Under the Bush Administration’s proposal, Congress would accept or reject the president’s proposed rescissions with a simple majority vote.  “With a line-item veto, the president could help get special-interest and pork-barrel spending under control,” CCAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “The line-item veto would add an important check to a budget process that is tainted by waste, abuse, and favoritism.” 

Here’s a link to the article

Post from Senator Frist

This is an
excellent start. Let's get more done.

"The people of this country, not special interest big money, should be the source of all political power." ~ Senator Paul Wellstone

Just a quick note to let you know the Senate passed a landmark lobby reform bill yesterday – one that takes important steps to reinforce the boundaries between Capitol Hill and K Street.

This legislation will:

Enhance disclosure of lobbyist activities
Restrict travel and gifts to elected officials and their staffs
Slow the revolving door between government employees and the lobbying world
Reform the earmark process to improve disclosure of how are tax dollars are spent

The road to restoring faith and confidence in Congress will require change and action, commitment and vigilance. And we start down that road NOW.

Despite Democrat attempts to delay and demagogue on this - hoping to turn it into an '06 election issue - Republicans lead on principle and pressed on. The simple fact is, partisan politics has no place as we work to restore the peoples' faith in their governing body.

I look forward to working with the House in conference to produce a final package that we can – with confidence and commitment – send to the President's desk.

Here's a link to his
blog:

This Immigration Issue

My previous post is sounding better all the time.  Still can’t come up with any cons.