Clair Van Steenwyk
for
District 8, U.S. House of Representatives
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Rep. Franks Voting Record
Trent Franks Votes: Some Just Bad, Others Unconstitutional
4/18/2013-6/3/2011
Source:
http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/
H R 624: Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection (CISPA) Act
Vote Date: April 18, 2013 Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA). This legislation (H.R. 624) would further legalize
the massive sharing of private-user online data by Internet companies with federal government agencies,
such as the National Security Agency (NSA), that has already been happening for years. As Robert X.
Cringely posted in his article "The CISPA Circus: Send in the Clowns" on InfoWorld.com on April 19, the
day after the CISPA bill passed in the House: "The problem with CISPA is that in its current form it's still
vague and ripe for abuse. It absolves corporations of being responsible for what happens to the data
they've collected. It allows data sharing with the entire federal government, not just the parts responsible for
ensuring our safety. It circumvents other laws designed to limit governmental access to private information.
And it can be deployed for a wide range of perceived threats that have nothing to do with attacks on our
nation's infrastructure."
The House passed CISPA on April 18, 2013 by a vote of 288 to 127 (Roll Call 117). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because the massive sharing of private citizens' online data by Internet companies with
federal government agencies authorized by this bill violates "the right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures" as set forth in the
Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.
H R 933: Department of Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Vote Date: March 21, 2013
Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal 2013. This appropriations bill (H.R. 933) would finance the federal
government through the end of fiscal 2013. Its provisions include five full-year appropriations bills - Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, Defense, Homeland Security, and Military Construction-VA. It would also
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continue appropriations for the remainder of the federal government at 2012 levels, with certain adjustments. The spending includes $1.043 trillion in "discretionary" (non-mandatory) spending before sequestration.
In general, this appropriations bill perpetuates the Washington spendathon without making the needed
decisions to slash government spending and eliminate deficit spending - projected to be $973 billion for
fiscal 2013 in the budget Obama submitted in April.
The House agreed to this legislation on March 21, 2013 by a vote of 318 to 109 (Roll Call 89). We have
assigned pluses to the nays because passage of this mammoth continuing resolution provided a way for
Congress to perpetuate its fiscally irresponsible, unconstitutional spending habits with a minimum of
accountability to its constituents.
H R 325: To ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the United States Government until May 19, 2013, and for other purposes
Vote Date: January 23, 2013
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Short-term Debt Limit Increase. This bill (H.R. 325), voted on in January 2013, would suspend the public
debt limit through May 18, 2013 and, in effect, allow the Treasury Department to borrow as much as it
needs in order to pay its bills over the next four months: February, March, April, and May. Another provision
in the bill would withhold pay for representatives or senators if either house fails to approve a budget by
April 15. The pay would be withheld for each member of Congress until his or her house agrees to a concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal 2014 or until the last day of the 113th Congress.
The House passed H.R. 325 on January 23, 2013 by a vote of 285 to 144 (Roll Call 30). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because the federal government should live within its means and because most of the
spending responsible for the ballooning national debt is unconstitutional.
H.J.Res. 117: Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013
Vote Date: September 13, 2012
Vote: NAY
Good Vote
Continuing Resolution. House Joint Resolution 117 would provide continuing appropriations for the federal
government from October 1, 2012 through March 27, 2013. This would amount to an annualized rate of
$1.047 trillion in "discretionary" spending for regular appropriations, and would include a 0.6 percent
increase in funding for most federal programs and agencies. This continuing resolution would also provide
nearly $100 billion in war funding and $6.4 billion in advance disaster relief funds.
To put this appropriations bill into perspective, consider what the Congressional Budget Office reported on
August 22, 2012: "For fiscal year 2012 (which ends on September 30), the federal budget deficit will total
$1.1 trillion, CBO estimates, marking the fourth year in a row with a deficit of more than $1 trillion." This
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deficit is based on the CBO's estimates of $2.435 trillion in federal revenue and $3.563 trillion in federal
outlays for fiscal 2012. Therefore, 32 percent of every federal dollar spent in 2012 had to be borrowed. For
2011, 2010, and 2009 the shortfall has been 36, 37, and 40 percent respectively.
The House passed H. J. Res. 117 on September 13, 2012 by a vote of 329 to 91 (Roll Call 579). We have
assigned pluses to the nays because passage of this mammoth continuing resolution provided a way for
Congress to perpetuate its fiscally irresponsible, unconstitutional spending habits with a minimum of
accountability to its constituents.
H.R. 5949: FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Vote Date: September 12, 2012
FISA. The proposed FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 (H.R. 5949) would reauthorize for
five years, through 2017, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which governs electronic surveillance of foreign terrorism suspects. The law allows warrantless surveillance of foreign targets who may be
communicating with people in the United States, provided that the secret FISA court approves surveillance
procedures.
The Senate passed H.R. 5949 on September 12, 2012 by a vote of 301 to 118 (Roll Call 569). We have
assigned pluses to the nays because warrantless surveillance is unconstitutional and violates privacy and
individual liberty. While ostensibly carried out only on "foreign suspects" communicating with U.S. citizens,
it is difficult to imagine this surveillance not extending to U.S. citizens.
H.Amdt. 1414 to H.R. 5856: An amendment to reduce appropriations made in Title IX of the bill by
$20,843,869,000. The reduction shall not apply to the following accounts 1) Defense Health Program; 2) Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, Defense; 3) Joint Improvised Explosive
Device Defeat Fund; and 4) Office of the Inspector General
Vote Date: July 18, 2012
Vote: NAY
Bad Vote
Afghanistan Withdrawal (Defense Appropriations Reduction). During consideration of the Defense appropriations bill for fiscal 2013 (H.R. 5856), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) proposed an amendment to cut overseas
military spending by almost $21 billion.
The intent behind the amendment was to allow enough funding for an orderly withdrawal from the unpopular war in Afghanistan but not enough to continue the conflict. According to Rep. Lee, the original bill
includes over $85 billion for the war in Afghanistan.
The House rejected Lee's amendment on July 18, 2012 by a vote of 107 to 312 (Roll Call 485).
We have assigned pluses to the yeas because the massive expenditure on undeclared foreign wars and
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nation building is unconstitutional and unaffordable.
H.Amdt.1127 to H.R.4310: An amendment numbered 46 printed in House Report 112-485 to strike
section 1022 of the FY2012 NDAA and amend Section 1021 of same Act to eliminate indefinite
military detention of any person detained under AUMF authority in U.S., territories or possessions
by providing immediate transfer to trial and proceedings by a court established under Article III of
the Constitution of the United states or by an appropriate State court
Vote Date: May 18, 2012
Vote: NAY
Bad Vote
Indefinite Detention. Detainee-related language in the National Defense Authorization
Act (H.R. 4310) is so sweeping, that American citizens accused of being terrorists can be detained by
the U.S. military and held indefinitely without habeas corpus and without even being tried and found guilty
in a court of law.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) offered an amendment to strike this language from the bill, but the House
rejected Smith's amendment on May 18, 2012 by a vote of 182 to 238 (Roll Call 270). We have assigned
pluses to the yeas because the War on Terror must not be allowed to destroy constitutional legal protections, including the issuance of a warrant based on probable cause (Fourth Amendment) and the right to a
trial (Sixth Amendment).
H.R. 3523: Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA)
Vote Date: April 26, 2012 Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA). This bill (H.R. 3523) would foster information
sharing about cyber threats between the federal government and private businesses. Businesses that
would participate in this sharing would be protected from lawsuits regarding this sharing of their customers'
private information with the government. According to Violet Blue in an article posted on ZDNet.com on
June 8, "Most people familiar with CISPA believe it will wipe out decades of consumer privacy protections
and is primarily to give the US government unprecedented access to individuals' online data and communications."
The House passed H.R. 3523 on April 26, 2012 by a vote of 248 to 168 (Roll Call 192). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because the CISPA bill would permit government access to the private information of
citizens, in violation of the Fourth Amendment "right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures."
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H.R. 3521: Expedited Legislative Line-Item Veto and Rescissions Act of 2012
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Vote Date: February 8, 2012
Line-item Veto. This bill (H.R. 3521) would allow the President to rescind all or part of any dollar amount of
funding for discretionary spending items in enacted appropriations bills. Although both houses of Congress
would have to approve any such rescissions, they would be forced to do so very quickly by the bill's expedited procedures, including a prohibition on amendments in both Houses and filibusters in the Senate.
This bill dramatically and unilaterally enhances the power of the executive branch. Note that Article I,
Section 1 and Article I, Section 7, Clauses 2 and 3, of the U.S. Constitution vest Congress with all legislative powers. Any bill that shifts legislative power away from Congress and to the President is violating the
constitutionally defined separation of powers for the legislative and executive branches. A similar line-item
veto law was passed when Clinton was President. That one was found to be unconstitutional by the
Supreme Court.
The House passed H.R. 3521 on February 8, 2012 by a vote of 254 to 173 (Roll Call 46). We have
assigned pluses to the nays because providing any form of line-item veto power to the President violates
the Constitution's separation of powers.
H.R. 2055: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012
Vote: NAY
Good Vote
Vote Date: December 16, 2011
Omnibus Appropriations. This catch-all legislative package (H.R. 2055), which would provide $915 billion in
discretionary appropriations for fiscal 2012, is comprised of nine appropriations bills for fiscal 2012 that
Congress failed to complete separately - Defense ($518.8 billion), Energy-Water ($32.1 billion), Financial
Services ($21.5 billion), Homeland Security ($41.3 billion), Interior-Environment ($29.2 billion),
Labor-HHS-Education ($156.3 billion), Legislative Branch ($4.3 billion), State-Foreign Operations ($33.5
billion), and Military Construction-VA ($73.7 billion).
The House adopted the final version of this legislation (known as a conference report) on December 16,
2011 by a vote of 296 to 121 (Roll Call 941). We have assigned pluses to the nays because many of the
bill's spending programs -- e.g., education, housing, foreign aid, etc. -- are unconstitutional. Moreover,
passing this mammoth appropriations bill in light of the ongoing trillion-dollar annual deficits is grossly
fiscally irresponsible. Furthermore, packaging the appropriations bills for so many large federal agencies
into one mega-bill greatly reduces the accountability of the Congressmen to their constituents.
H.R. 3080: United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
Vote Date: October 12, 2011
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
South Korea Trade Agreement. On a single day - October 12, 2011 - both the House and Senate approved
three separate trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama. These measures are three
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more in a series of "free-trade agreements" intended to transfer the power to regulate trade (and eventually
other powers too) to super-national arrangements via a step-by-step process. NAFTA is a prime example
of such an arrangement. So is the developing continental government now known as the European Union,
which is an outgrowth of a free-trade arrangement once called the Common Market. In fact, the Common
Market-EU trajectory to regional governance served as a model for the formation of NAFTA.
The South Korea agreement, to quote Congressional Quarterly, is "considered the most economically
important trade deal since the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement." For this reason, the "Freedom
Index" editors selected this vote over the other two (Colombia and Panama) for inclusion in this index.
The House passed H.R. 3080, the measure to implement the South Korea trade agreement, on October
12, 2011 by a vote of 278 to 151 (Roll Call 783). We have assigned pluses to the nays because agreements such as this one are intended to transfer trade (and other) powers to super-national arrangements
binding the United States, despite the fact that under the Constitution only Congress has the power "to
regulate commerce with foreign nations."
H.AMDT. 579: An amendment to prohibit the use of funds for military operations in or against Libya
except under a declaration of war against Libya pursuant to clause 11 in section 8 of article I of the
Constitution
Vote Date: August 7, 2011
Vote: NAY
Bad Vote
Libya. During consideration of the Defense appropriations bill, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) introduced
an amendment to prohibit the use of funds in the bill to carry out military actions against Libya unless
Congress declares war against Libya.
The Founding Fathers assigned this power to Congress because they did not want a single man deciding
when to go to war. Yet President Obama usurped this congressional war-making authority by initiating
offensive military actions against Libya without even asking advice from Congress, much less requesting
the required declaration of war.
The House rejected the Kucinich amendment on July 8, 2011 by a vote of 169 to 251 (Roll Call 530). We
have assigned pluses to the yeas because under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution only Congress has
the power "to declare war."
H.Con.Res. 51: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to
remove the United States Armed Forces from Libya
Vote Date: June 3, 2011 Vote: NAY
Bad Vote
Libya Troop Withdrawal. House Concurrent Resolution 51 would have directed President Obama,
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"pursuant to ... the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Libya." The
War Powers Resolution bars the President from militarily engaging the armed forces for more than 60 days
without congressional approval. Obama had not sought congressional approval for undertaking military
action in Libya. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), who sponsored H. Con. Res. 51, noted: "In the weeks
leading up to the war, the administration had time to consult with the Arab League, the United Nations, the
African Union, but apparently had no time to come to this Congress for approval."
The House rejected Kucinich's resolution on June 3, 2011 by a vote of 148 to 265 (Roll Call 412). We have
assigned pluses to the yeas not merely because Obama's Libya deployment is now in violation of the War
Powers Act's 60-day requirement for congressional authorization, but also because it violates the
Constitution, which clearly assigns to Congress the power "to declare war."
S. 990: PATRIOT Sunsets Extension Act of 2011
Vote Date: May 26, 2011
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Patriot Act Extension. This legislation (S. 990) extended for four years three provisions of the Patriot Act
that were set to expire: the "roving wiretap" provision that allows the federal government to wiretap any
number of a suspect's telephone/ Internet connections without specifying what they will find or how many
connections will be tapped; the "financial records" provision that allows the feds to seize "any tangible
thing" that has "relevance" to an investigation; and the "lone wolf" provision that allows spying on non-U.S.
citizens without a warrant. These provisions violate the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which
requires that no warrants be issued "but upon probable cause" (a much higher standard than "relevance"),
and that warrants must contain language "particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons
or things to be seized."
The Patriot Act even allows the FBI to issue warrants called "National Security Letters" without going to a
judge, though this provision was not set to expire and therefore was not part of this legislation.
The House passed the Patriot Act extension on May 26, 2011 by a vote of 250 to 153 (Roll Call 376). We
have assigned pluses to the nays because the provisions that were extended, as well as the Patriot Act as
a whole, violate the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.
H R 4899: Making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes
Vote Date: July 27, 2010 Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Supplemental Appropriations. The supplemental appropriations bill (H.R. 4899) would provide an additional
$58.8 billion in "emergency" funding for the current fiscal year (2010). The supplemental appropriations in
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the bill include $37.1 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, $5.1 billion for the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and $2.9 for earthquake relief in Haiti.
The House passed the bill on July 27, 2010 by a vote of 308-114 (Roll Call 474). We have assigned pluses
to the nays because the spending is over and above what the federal government already budgeted,
Congress never declared war against Iraq and Afghanistan, and some of the spending (e.g., foreign aid) is
unconstitutional.
H CON RES 248: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to
remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan
Vote Date: March 10, 2010
Vote: NAY
Bad Vote
Withdrawing U.S. Soldiers From Afghanistan. This legislation (House Concurrent Resolution 248) would
direct the President to remove the U.S. Armed Forces from Afghanistan within 30 days of enactment, or by
the end of the year if the President determines they cannot be safely removed sooner.
The House rejected H. Con. Res. 248 on March 10, 2010 by a vote of 65 to 356 (Roll Call 98). We have
assigned pluses to the yeas because the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan cannot be justified on the
basis of defending the United States, there has been no declaration of war, and Congress needs to assert
constitutional authority to decide when we do go to war.
H R 3961: Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act
Vote Date: February 25, 2010
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Patriot Act. This bill (H.R. 3961) would extend by one year three Patriot Act provisions that were set to
expire on February 28, 2010. The provisions allow the federal government to exercise wide-ranging
surveillance and seizure powers with few limitations. For instance, the records provision allows the
government to obtain "any tangible thing" that, it says, has "relevance" to a terrorism investigation.
"Relevance" is a much lower standard -- if it can even be called a standard at all -- than the "probable
cause" and a court warrant standard explicitly required by the Fourth Amendment.
The House agreed to extend the provisions on February 25, 2010 by a vote of 315-97 (Roll Call 67). We
have assigned pluses to the nays because the provisions violate the right of the people to (in the words of
the Fourth Amendment) "be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures."
H R 2200: On Agreeing to the Amendment 10 to H R 2200
Vote Date: June 4, 2009 Vote: NAY
Bad Vote
Body Imaging Screening. During consideration of the Transportation Security Administration Authorization
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bill (H.R. 2200), Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) offered an amendment that would prohibit the use of
Whole-Body Imaging (WBI) as the primary method of screening at airports. The amendment would allow
passengers the option of a pat-down search rather than being subjected to a WBI search that shows
extremely intimate details of one's body. The Chaffetz amendment would also prohibit TSA from storing,
copying, or transferring any images that are produced by WBI machines.
Since its creation, TSA has become infamous for its meddlesome searches and disregard for an
individual's right of privacy. Evidence shows that corruption and mismanagement have been commonplace
within the relatively new federal department for years. The Chaffetz amendment would do very little to scale
back the power held by the TSA, but it does offer some hope that our representatives are not wholly
unaware of how the TSA and its policies would threaten the privacy of American citizens through a process
that has been called a "virtual strip-search."
The House adopted the Chaffetz amendment by a "Committee of the Whole" on June 4, 2009, by a vote of
310-118 (Roll Call 305). We have assigned pluses to the yeas because such technology is obtrusive for
American citizens and violates our right of protection against unwarranted searches and seizures.
H R 2346: Supplemental Appropriations, FY 2009
Vote Date: May 14, 2009
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Supplemental Appropriations. The Fiscal 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill (H.R. 2346) would provide
an additional $96.7 billion in "emergency" funding for the current fiscal year over and above the regular
appropriations. Included in the funds for H.R. 2346 is $84.5 billion for the ongoing operations in Afghanistan
and Iraq, $10 billion for foreign aid programs, and $2 billion for flu pandemic preparation.
The House passed H.R. 2346 on May 14, 2009, by a vote of 368-60 (Roll Call 265). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because the spending is over and above what the federal government had already
budgeted, the United States never declared war against Iraq and Afghanistan, and some of the spending
(e.g., foreign aid) is unconstitutional.
H R 6633: Employee Verification Amendment Act of 2008
Vote Date: July 31, 2008
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Employee Verification Program. H.R. 6633 would reauthorize the E-Verify (Internet-based) pilot
employment eligibility verification program allowing employers to verify employment eligibility of new hires.
The program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security, which would be required to provide
funding to the Social Security Administration for checking Social Security numbers submitted by employers
under the program.
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The House passed the bill on July 31, 2008 by a vote of 407-2 (Roll Call 557). We have assigned pluses to
the nays because Social Security numbers were not intended to be used and should not be used as the
basis for a national ID database. An alternative measure (H.R. 5515) would have the screening for
employment eligibility verification provided by state-administered private companies that already track
employee verification for child-support enforcement.
H R 6304: FISA Amendments Act of 2008
Vote Date: June 20, 2008
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Warrantless Searches. H.R. 6304, the bill to revamp the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA),
would allow warrantless electronic surveillance, including monitoring telephone conversations and e-mails,
of foreign targets, including those communicating with American citizens in the United States. The final
version of the bill would not explicitly grant immunity to telecommunications companies that have assisted
President Bush's warrantless surveillance program. But it would require courts to dismiss lawsuits against
such companies if there is "substantial evidence" they were insured in writing the program was legal and
authorized by the president. The provision would almost certainly result in the dismissal of the lawsuits.
The House passed H.R. 6304 on June 20, 2008 by a vote of 293-129 (Roll Call 437). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because warrantless searches are a violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects
Americans against unreasonable searches and seizures, and requires that any searches be conducted
only upon issuance of a warrant under conditions of probable cause. Moreover, Article I, Section 9 of the
Constitution forbids "ex post facto laws" -- laws having a retroactive effect.
H R 5140: Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Vote Date: January 29, 2008
Economic Stimulus. H.R. 5140, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, passed 385-35 on January 29, 2008
(Roll Call 25). It would provide about $150 billion in economic stimulus, including $101.1 billion in direct
payments of rebate checks (typically $600) to most taxpayers in 2008 and temporary tax breaks for
businesses.
We have assigned pluses to the nays because creating money out of thin air and then spending the newly
created money cannot improve the economy, at least not in the long term. (If it could, why not create even
more money for rebates and make every American a millionaire?) The stimulus has no offset and thus
increases the federal deficit by the amount of the stimulus because the government must borrow the rebate
money. A realistic long-term stimulus can only be achieved by lowering taxes through less government and
by reducing regulatory burdens.
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H R 3688: United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement
Vote Date: November 8, 2007
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Peru Free Trade Agreement. The Peru Free Trade Agreement (H.R. 3688) is another in a series of
free-trade agreements to transfer the power to regulate trade (and other powers as well) to regional
arrangements. Other examples include the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and Central
American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). However, the Committee on Ways and Means Report
accompanying H.R. 3688 noted that "the Peru FTA has become the first U.S. free trade agreement to
include, in its core text fully enforceable commitments by the Parties to adopt, maintain, and enforce basic
international labor standards, as stated in the 1988 ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights
at Work." The ILO, or International Labor Organization, is a UN agency.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 285-132 (Roll Call 1060) on November 8, 2007. We have assigned
pluses to the nays because the Peru FTA and other so-called free-trade arrangements threaten our
national independence and (as we've seen with NAFTA) harm our economy.
H R 1955: Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007
Vote Date: October 23, 2007
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Thought Crimes. This bill (H.R. 1955), known as the "Violent Radicalization and Homegrown
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007," could more aptly be titled the "Thought Crimes Act." The bill would
establish a National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism
and establish a grant program to prevent radicalization in the United States. However, critics charge that
the bill is a thinly disguised attempt to criminalize dissent, based on the bill's vague and open-ended
language that could be used to trample basic rights to free speech and assembly, and turn legitimate
dissent into thought crimes.
For instance, the bill defines "violent radicalization" as "the process of adopting or promoting an extremist
belief system for the purpose of facilitating ideologically based violence to advance political, religious, or
social change." The bill does not define either "extremist belief system" or "facilitating ideologically based
violence." The bill also states that "the Internet has aided in facilitating violent radicalization, ideologically
based violence, and the homegrown terrorism process in the United States by providing access to broad
and constant streams of terrorist-related propaganda to United States citizens."
The House passed H.R. 1955 by a vote of 404-6 (Roll Call 993) on October 23, 2007. We have assigned
pluses to the nays because the bill threatens legitimate dissent.
S 1927: Protect America Act
Vote Date: August 4, 2007
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Foreign Intelligence Surveillance. This bill (S. 1927) would allow warrantless electronic surveillance (eavesdropping) of targets outside the United States regardless of whether they are communicating with someone
within the United States. This surveillance had been conducted illegally by the CIA. Under this legislation,
communications companies would be required to comply with surveillance requests and would be provided
lawsuit protections.
The House passed S. 1927 by a vote of 227-183 (Roll Call 836) on August 4, 2007. We have assigned
pluses to the nays because warrantless surveillance of American citizens is a violation of the Fourth
Amendment provision against "unreasonable searches and seizures." Although the bill includes a sunset
provision causing it to expire after six months, President Bush has already called for making the bill
permanent.
H R 3161: Making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other
purposes
Vote Date: August 2, 2007
Vote: NONE
No Vote
Agriculture Appropriations. The 2008 Agriculture appropriations bill would provide $90.7 billion for the
Agriculture department, the Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies. It would include funding
for the food-stamp ($39.8 billion) and child-nutrition programs ($13.9 billion), farm subsidies and crop
insurance, conservation programs, rural development programs, etc.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 237-18 (Roll Call 816) on August 2, 2007. We have assigned pluses
to the nays because federal aid to farmers and federal food aid to individuals are not authorized in the
Constitution.
H R 1585: On Agreeing to the Amendment 5 to H R 1585
Vote Date: May 16, 2007
Vote: NAY
Bad Vote
Iran Military Operations. During consideration for the fiscal 2008 defense authorization bill (H.R. 1585),
Representative Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) offered this amendment that would require President Bush to get
specific congressional authorization before engaging in military operations in Iran.
The House rejected the DeFazio amendment in a Committee of the Whole on May 16, 2007, by a vote of
136-288. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because the power to declare war belongs solely to Congress, not the president. Under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, Congress alone has the power
to declare war.
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H R 5825: Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act
Vote Date: September 28, 2006
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Electronic Surveillance. The warrantless electronic surveillance bill (H.R. 5825) would allow electronic
surveillance of communications with suspected terrorists without first obtaining approval from the secret
courts established by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.
Furthermore, the bill would authorize unwarranted surveillance for up to 90 days in some instances if a
threat was considered "imminent." Intelligence agencies would be allowed to conduct warrantless surveillance for seven days prior to gaining court approval if the threat was considered an "emergency situation."
This controversial bill had full support of the Bush administration as a means to provide greater national
security in a post-9/11 world.
The House passed H.R. 5825 on September 28, 2006 by a vote of 232-191 (Roll Call 502). We have
assigned pluses to the nays because such a law would violate the Fourth Amendment by subjecting U.S.
citizens to unreasonable searches and seizures.
H R 6166: Military Commissions Act
Vote Date: September 27, 2006
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Military Tribunals. This bill (H.R. 6166) would authorize a new system of military tribunals to try persons
designated "unlawful enemy combatants" by the president. The bill defines an unlawful enemy combatant
to include a person who "has purposely and materially supported hostilities against the United States or its
co-belligerents." Once designated an unlawful enemy combatant, a defendant's rights would be curtailed:
he would be denied the right of habeas corpus; he could be detained indefinitely; and evidence obtained
through coercion could be used against him--so long as the coercion falls outside the administration's
definition of torture.
Critics of the tribunals bill are planning to file suit in order to test the constitutionality of the legislation. This
legislation was in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's June 29 ruling on the case of Hamdan v.
Rumsfeld, which declared that the administration's current system for trying military detainees was
unconstitutional.
The House passed the military tribunals bill on September 27, 2006 by a vote of 253-168 (Roll Call 491).
We have assigned pluses to the nays because the bill would curtail defendant rights.
H R 5684: To implement the United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement
Vote Date: July 20, 2006
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Oman Trade Agreement. The Oman Free Trade Agreement (H.R. 5684) would reduce most tariffs and
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duties between Oman and the United States. H.R. 5684 was considered under fast-track authority, which
requires Congress to expedite consideration of presidentially negotiated trade pacts without offering
amendments.
The Oman agreement is just one steppingstone in the White House's effort to form a Middle Eastern Free
Trade Area (MEFTA) by 2013. These so-called free- trade agreements have historically failed because
they encourage the relocation of U.S. jobs to foreign countries so that the companies can get cheap labor.
Meanwhile, they don't provide the United States with trade benefits -- largely because the people in those
countries cannot afford to buy our products -- thereby harming the U.S. economy.
The agreements also put our economic destiny in the hands of unelected foreign bureaucrats, such as
those at the World Trade Organization.
The House passed H.R. 5684 by a vote of 221-205 on July 20, 2006 (Roll Call 392). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because such trade agreements damage the U.S. economy and threaten U.S.
sovereignty by the imposition of international regulations.
H R 4890: Legislative Line Item Veto Act
Vote Date: June 22, 2006
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Line-item Rescission. The legislative line-item rescission bill (H.R. 4890) would allow the president to
propose cuts in spending bills already enacted by Congress. The cuts would then receive an up-or-down
vote with no opportunity to filibuster or add amendments.
The House passed H.R. 4890 by a vote of 247-172 on June 22, 2006 (Roll Call 317). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because the rescission bill, though not a full-fledged line-item veto, would still shift some
legislative power from Congress to the president, disrupting the U.S. system of checks and balances.
H R 5631: On Agreeing to the Amendment 17 to H R 5631
Vote Date: June 20, 2006
Vote: NAY
Bad Vote
Iran Military Operations. Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) offered this amendment to the 2007
Defense appropriations bill (H.R. 5631). The amendment would bar any funds to initiate military operations
in Iran unless it is in accordance with Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which delegates to Congress
alone the power to declare war.
The House rejected Hinchey's amendment by a vote of 158-262 on June 20, 2006 (Roll Call 300). We have
assigned pluses to the yeas because the power to declare war belongs to Congress, not to the president,
and that much power should not be in the hands of one man.
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H R 4939: Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2006, and for other purposes
Vote Date: March 16, 2006
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Supplemental Appropriations. This legislation (H.R. 4939) would appropriate a whopping $91.9 billion for
emergency supplemental funding in fiscal 2006, including $67.6 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,
$4.3 billion for foreign aid, and $19.2 billion for Hurricane Katrina relief.
Congressional Quarterly noted that the funding in the bill "for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would push
to more than $390 billion the war-related supplemental funds appropriated since Sept. 11. It would be the
sixth major emergency spending measure for the Bush administration."
The House passed H.R. 4939 on March 16, 2006 by a vote of 348-71 (Roll Call 65). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because -- even if the spending were constitutional -- the funding should be voted on as
part of the regular appropriations process and not introduced after the fact as "emergency" spending,
ignoring fiscal responsibility.
H R 4939: On Agreeing to the Amendment 1 to H R 4939
Vote Date: March 15, 2006
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Ports Security -- DP World. Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-Md.) introduced this amendment to the 2006
supplemental appropriations bill (H.R. 4939) that would strike language from the bill to prohibit the sale of
operations at several sea ports to DP World, a state-controlled company based in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates.
The House rejected the Gilchrest amendment in March 15, 2006 by a vote of 38-377 (Roll Call 43). We
have assigned pluses to the nays because, as a matter of national sovereignty, American personnel must
manage, maintain, and monitor our own sea ports.
H R 3199: USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act
Vote Date: December 14, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Patriot Act Reauthorization. This is the final version (conference report) of the Patriot Act reauthorization
(H.R. 3199). In the weeks following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congress quickly passed the so-called Patriot
Act, which gave law enforcement and intelligence agencies vast new powers to combat terrorism.
The act increased the ability of law enforcement to secretly search home and business records, expanded
the FBI's wiretapping and surveillance authority, and expanded the list of crimes deemed terrorist acts.
When passed in 2001 the bill included a "sunset" provision under which the new surveillance powers "shall
cease to have effect on December 21, 2005." The Patriot Act reauthorization bill (H.R. 3199) considered by
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Congress last year would make permanent 14 of the 16 provisions included in the bill, and extend for four
years the two remaining provisions.
The House passed the final version of the bill to reauthorize the Patriot Act on December 14, 2005 by a
vote of 251-174 (Roll Call 627). We have assigned pluses to the nays because the Patriot Act tramples on
the constitutionally protected rights of U.S. citizens.
H R 3010: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2006
Vote Date: December 14, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations. This massive social-welfare appropriations bill (H.R. 3010) would
provide $601.6 billion in fiscal 2006 for the Labor Department ($14.8 billion), the Education Department
($63.5 billion), the Health and Human Services Department ($474.1 billion), and related agencies. H.R.
3010 is the largest of the appropriations bills considered by Congress this year. In total, H.R. 3010 would
provide a 21 percent increase over a similar appropriations bill for fiscal 2005.
The House passed the bill on December 14, 2005 by a vote of 215-213 (Roll Call 628). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because the bill would provide an increase in spending, and social-welfare programs are
unconstitutional.
H R 2123: School Readiness Act
Vote Date: September 22, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Head Start Funding. This legislation (H.R. 2123) would reauthorize the Head Start program through fiscal
2011 and provide $6.8 billion for the program in 2006. The bill would also increase educational standards
for Head Start teachers.
The House passed the Head Start bill on September 22, 2005 by a vote of 231-184 (Roll Call 493). We
have assigned pluses to the nays because the bill would further federalize the educational system, and
federal aid to education is unconstitutional.
H R 3673: Further Emergency Supplemental Appropriations, Hurricane Katrina, 2005
Vote Date: September 8, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Katrina Hurricane-relief Appropriations. In the wake of the devastating hurricane disaster in the Gulf Coast,
Congress quickly passed legislation that would appropriate $51.8 billion in emergency supplemental funding for fiscal 2005 (H.R. 3673) to be used for relief in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.
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.Commenting on how the tragic images of Katrina were used to justify more federal welfare and interventionism, as opposed to private charity and initiatives, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) noted on September 15,
after the House and Senate votes: "These scenes prompted two emotional reactions. One side claims
Katrina proved there was not enough government welfare.... The other side claims we need to pump
billions of new dollars into the very federal agency that failed (FEMA)...
Both sides support more authoritarianism, more centralization, and even the imposition of martial law in
times of natural disasters."
The House passed the Katrina appropriations bill on September 8, 2005 by a vote of 410-11 (Roll Call
460). We have assigned pluses to the nays because federally financing disaster relief is unconstitutional.
H R 3: Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
Vote Date: July 29, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Surface Transportation. The final version (conference report) of this bill (H.R. 3) would authorize $286.5
billion for federal highway, mass transit, and safety and research programs through fiscal 2009. The bill is
laden with thousands of "pork barrel" transportation projects requested by individual lawmakers.
The House adopted the final version of this legislation on July 29, 2005 by a vote of 412-8 (Roll Call 453).
We have assigned pluses to the nays because the bill increases transportation spending and is fiscally
irresponsible.
H R 3045: Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
Vote Date: July 28, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
CAFTA. This bill (H.R. 3045) would implement the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement
(CAFTA), thereby expanding the devastating consequences of the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), including the job losses wrought by NAFTA. CAFTA is intended by the Power Elite to be a
steppingstone from NAFTA to the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which would include
all of the countries of the Western Hemisphere except (for now) Cuba. Like NAFTA, which has already
begun imposing its trade rulings on America, CAFTA and the FTAA would not be genuine free trade
arrangements; they would instead manage trade and would gradually exercise more powers on the road to
a supranational government modeled after the European Union.
The House passed CAFTA on July 28, 2005 by a vote of 217-215 (Roll Call 443). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because CAFTA would further damage the U.S. economy and threaten U.S.
sovereignty.
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H R 3199: USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act
Vote Date: July 21, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Patriot Act Reauthorization. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congress passed the so-called Patriot
Act, which gave law enforcement and intelligence agencies vast new powers to combat terrorism. The act
expanded the list of crimes deemed terrorist acts; increased the ability of law enforcement to secretly
search homes and business records; expanded the FBI's wiretapping and surveillance authority; and
provided for nationwide jurisdiction for search warrants and electronic surveillance devices, including the
legal extension of those devices to e-mail and the Internet. The bill included a "sunset" provision under
which the new surveillance powers "shall cease to have effect on December 31, 2005."
The Patriot Act reauthorization bill (H.R. 3199) considered by the current Congress would make permanent
14 of the 16 provisions set to expire at the end of this year and extend for 10 years the remaining two
provisions. The House passed the reauthorization on July 21, 2005 by a vote of 257-171 (Roll Call 414).
We have assigned pluses to the nays because the Patriot Act tramples on the constitutionally protected
rights of U.S. citizens.
H R 2745: Henry J. Hyde United Nations Reform Act
Vote Date: June 17, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
UN "Reforms." On the surface, this United Nations "reform" bill (H.R. 2745) appears to be a "conservative"
get-tough response to UN corruption. It would withhold up to 50 percent of U.S. dues to the UN unless the
UN makes certain operational changes, and many "conservatives" voted for it. In reality, the legislation
calls for strengthening the UN in the name of "reform." Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) warned in his June 13
Texas Straight Talk column that the "reform" bill supports creation of a "Peace-building Commission," which
"will serve as the implementing force for the internationalization of what were formerly internal affairs of
sovereign nations."
The House passed the UN "reform" bill on June 17, 2005 by a vote of 221-184 (Roll Call 282). We have
assigned pluses to the nays because the reform bill is a trap, and the solution to the UN threat is not to
reform the world body but to get the U.S. out.
H R 1268: Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2005, and for other purposes
Vote Date: May 5, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Supplemental Appropriations. The final version (conference report) of this supplemental appropriations bill
(H.R. 1268) would add another $82 billion to the federal budget for fiscal 2005. The supplemental spending, even if needed and constitutional, should not have been added on to the annual federal budget after
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the fact, but should have been included as part of the regular appropriations process. The supplemental
spending in this bill includes $75.9 billion for defense-related purposes, most of it for the military occupation
of Iraq, and $907 million for tsunami victims, the latter clearly unconstitutional.
One particularly objectionable element of this legislation is the REAL ID Act, which was added to the supplemental appropriations bill by the conference committee. The REAL ID Act would authorize the federal
government to impose national standards for driver's licenses and thereby develop a national ID system.
The House adopted the final version of H.R. 1268 on May 5, 2005 by a vote of 368-58 (Roll Call 161). We
have assigned pluses to the nays because the bill contains both unconstitutional spending and the REAL
ID Act.
H R 444: Back to Work Investment Act
Vote Date: June 3, 2004
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Job Training and Worker Services. This bill (H.R. 444) would authorize the creation of "personal re-employment accounts" of up to $3,000 for unemployed workers at risk of exhausting their state unemployment
benefits. Money in this account could be used for such expenses as education, childcare, healthcare or
transportation. Those workers who find a job within 13 weeks would be allowed to take the balance in their
account as a "reemployment bonus." This bill would authorize $50 million in fiscal 2005 for these "personal
re-employment accounts."
The House passed H.R. 444 on June 3, 2004 by a vote of 213 to 203 (Roll Call 225). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because federal aid for job training or unemployment services is unconstitutional.
H CON RES 393: Congressional Budget for the U.S. Government for FY 2005
Vote Date: March 25, 2004
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Fiscal 2005 Budget Resolution. This resolution (House Concurrent Resolution 393) would establish broad
spending and revenue targets over the next five years. It calls for $871.3 billion in "discretionary" spending
(including $50 billion for supplemental funding of operations in Iraq) and another $1.5 trillion in "mandatory"
spending for fiscal 2005. Based on these targets, the "mandatory" spending portion of the budget would
increase by 5 percent over last year, and the total budget -- a whopping $2.4 trillion -- would increase by 3
percent.
This resolution projects that the budget deficit would be cut significantly by fiscal 2009 (from $376.8 billion
in fiscal 2005 to $234 billion in fiscal 2009); however, according to a Congressional Quarterly Fact Sheet,
"Budget Resolution for FY 2005," these projected deficits are deceptively low due to an accounting
sleight-of-hand whereby "these deficits are calculated by using the surpluses in the Social Security trust
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H R 3199: USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act
Vote Date: December 14, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Patriot Act Reauthorization. This is the final version (conference report) of the Patriot Act reauthorization
(H.R. 3199). In the weeks following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congress quickly passed the so-called Patriot
Act, which gave law enforcement and intelligence agencies vast new powers to combat terrorism.
The act increased the ability of law enforcement to secretly search home and business records, expanded
the FBI's wiretapping and surveillance authority, and expanded the list of crimes deemed terrorist acts.
When passed in 2001 the bill included a "sunset" provision under which the new surveillance powers "shall
cease to have effect on December 21, 2005." The Patriot Act reauthorization bill (H.R. 3199) considered by
Congress last year would make permanent 14 of the 16 provisions included in the bill, and extend for four
years the two remaining provisions.
The House passed the final version of the bill to reauthorize the Patriot Act on December 14, 2005 by a
vote of 251-174 (Roll Call 627). We have assigned pluses to the nays because the Patriot Act tramples on
the constitutionally protected rights of U.S. citizens.
H R 3010: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2006
Vote Date: December 14, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations. This massive social-welfare appropriations bill (H.R. 3010) would
provide $601.6 billion in fiscal 2006 for the Labor Department ($14.8 billion), the Education Department
($63.5 billion), the Health and Human Services Department ($474.1 billion), and related agencies. H.R.
3010 is the largest of the appropriations bills considered by Congress this year. In total, H.R. 3010 would
provide a 21 percent increase over a similar appropriations bill for fiscal 2005.
The House passed the bill on December 14, 2005 by a vote of 215-213 (Roll Call 628). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because the bill would provide an increase in spending, and social-welfare programs are
unconstitutional.
H R 2123: School Readiness Act
Vote Date: September 22, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Head Start Funding. This legislation (H.R. 2123) would reauthorize the Head Start program through fiscal
2011 and provide $6.8 billion for the program in 2006. The bill would also increase educational standards
for Head Start teachers.
The House passed the Head Start bill on September 22, 2005 by a vote of 231-184 (Roll Call 493). We
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funds to offset spending on other programs. If these Social Security surpluses are not counted, the
projected deficits in each fiscal year would be $550.7 billion in FY 2005 and $471.8 billion in FY 2009."
The House adopted this resolution on March 25, 2004 by a vote of 215 to 212 (Roll Call 92). We have
assigned pluses to the nays because this budget perpetuates the fiscally irresponsible, largely
unconstitutional federal spending with its attendant record-breaking deficits of recent years.
H R 3873: Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act
Vote Date: March 24, 2004
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Child Nutrition Programs. This bill (H.R. 3873) would reauthorize through fiscal 2008 several child nutrition
programs, including the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, the Child and Adult Care Food
Program, and the After-School Snack Program. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that H.R. 3873
would increase direct spending on these programs by about $226 million over the 2004-2008 period.
Since obesity in school-age children has greatly increased since 1980, the school lunch program reauthorization bill has become a popular vehicle for proposals aimed at reducing obesity. This bill would require
schools to develop "wellness policies" that establish nutritional guidelines for all food sold in schools; however, it stops short of setting mandatory federal standards.
The House agreed to the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3873 on March 24, 2004 by a vote of
419 to 5 (Roll Call 82). We have assigned pluses to the nays because providing food for citizens is an
unconstitutional activity of the federal government. A two-thirds majority of those present and voting (283 in
this case) is required for passage under a suspension of the rules.
H R 1: Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act
Vote Date: November 22, 2003
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Prescription Drug Benefit. The final version (conference report) of H.R. 1 would create a prescription drug
benefit for Medicare recipients. Beginning in 2006, prescription coverage would be available to seniors
through private insurers for a monthly premium estimated at $35. There would be a $250 annual
deductible, then 75 percent of drug costs up to $2,250 would be reimbursed. Drug costs greater than
$2,250 would not be covered until out-of-pocket expenses exceeded $3,600, after which 95 percent of drug
costs would be reimbursed. Low-income recipients would receive more subsidies than other seniors by
paying lower premiums, having smaller deductibles, and making lower co-payments for each prescription.
The total cost of the new prescription drug benefit would be limited to the $400 billion that Congress had
budgeted earlier this year for the first 10 years of this new entitlement program.
The House adopted the conference report on H.R. 1 on November 22, 2003 by a vote of 220 to 215 (Roll
Call 669). We have assigned pluses to the nays because this landmark legislation establishes a major new
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(NAFTA), including the job losses wrought by NAFTA. CAFTA is intended by the Power Elite to be a
steppingstone from NAFTA to the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which would include
all of the countries of the Western Hemisphere except (for now) Cuba. Like NAFTA, which has already
begun imposing its trade rulings on America, CAFTA and the FTAA would not be genuine free trade
arrangements; they would instead manage trade and would gradually exercise more powers on the road to
a supranational government modeled after the European Union.
The House passed CAFTA on July 28, 2005 by a vote of 217-215 (Roll Call 443). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because CAFTA would further damage the U.S. economy and threaten U.S.
sovereignty.
H R 3199: USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act
Vote Date: July 21, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Patriot Act Reauthorization. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congress passed the so-called Patriot
Act, which gave law enforcement and intelligence agencies vast new powers to combat terrorism. The act
expanded the list of crimes deemed terrorist acts; increased the ability of law enforcement to secretly
search homes and business records; expanded the FBI's wiretapping and surveillance authority; and
provided for nationwide jurisdiction for search warrants and electronic surveillance devices, including the
legal extension of those devices to e-mail and the Internet. The bill included a "sunset" provision under
which the new surveillance powers "shall cease to have effect on December 31, 2005."
The Patriot Act reauthorization bill (H.R. 3199) considered by the current Congress would make permanent
14 of the 16 provisions set to expire at the end of this year and extend for 10 years the remaining two
provisions. The House passed the reauthorization on July 21, 2005 by a vote of 257-171 (Roll Call 414).
We have assigned pluses to the nays because the Patriot Act tramples on the constitutionally protected
rights of U.S. citizens.
H R 2745: Henry J. Hyde United Nations Reform Act
Vote Date: June 17, 2005
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
UN "Reforms." On the surface, this United Nations "reform" bill (H.R. 2745) appears to be a "conservative"
get-tough response to UN corruption. It would withhold up to 50 percent of U.S. dues to the UN unless the
UN makes certain operational changes, and many "conservatives" voted for it. In reality, the legislation
calls for strengthening the UN in the name of "reform." Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) warned in his June 13
Texas Straight Talk column that the "reform" bill supports creation of a "Peace-building Commission," which
"will serve as the implementing force for the internationalization of what were formerly internal affairs of
sovereign nations."
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design from a supposed free trade agreement into a supranational government for Europe. The world order
architects intend for the FTAA to follow the same trajectory for the Americas.
The House passed H.R. 2739 on July 24, 2003 by a vote of 272 to 155 (Roll Call 432). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because these bilateral "free trade" agreements are intended to be stepping stones to
the FTAA, which would set trade (and eventually other) policies for the member nations. However, under
the U.S. Constitution only Congress has the power "to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and
among the several states..."
H R 1350: To Reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Vote Date: April 30, 2003
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Special Education. This bill (H.R. 1350) would reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
One of its provisions would authorize increasing federal grants to defray more of the state cost of educating
special education students, from the current 18 percent to 40 percent by 2010.
Other provisions would allow school personnel to discipline special education students the same as
non-disabled students, reduce paperwork requirements for special education teachers, and limit parents'
ability to sue school districts. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that H.R. 1350 would cost $50
billion over the 2004-2009 period.
The House passed H.R. 1350 on April 30, 2003 by a vote of 251 to 171 (Roll Call 154). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because federal aid to education is unconstitutional.
H R 2738: United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
Vote Date: July 24, 2003
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
U.S.-Chile Trade. This bill (H.R. 2738) would implement a trade agreement to reduce tariffs and trade
barriers between the United States and Chile. The significance of this trade agreement, like that of the
U.S.-Singapore Trade Agreement (see House bill below).
U.S.-Singapore Trade. H.R. 2739 would implement a trade agreement to reduce tariffs and trade barriers
between the United States and Singapore. A similar bill, the U.S.-Chile Trade Agreement (H.R. 2738), was
presented to Congress at the same time as the U.S.-Singapore Trade Agreement. These are the first in a
series of bilateral and regional free trade agreements (FTAs) that the Bush administration is negotiating,
which will culminate in 2005 in the largest and most significant FTA of them all, the Free Trade Area of the
Americas (FTAA).
The model for the FTAA is the European Union (EU), formerly the "Common Market," which has grown by
design from a supposed free trade agreement into a supranational government for Europe. The world order
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architects intend for the FTAA to follow the same trajectory for the Americas.
The House passed H.R. 2738 on July 24, 2003 by a vote of 270 to 156 (Roll Call 436). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because these bilateral "free trade" agreements are intended to be stepping stones to
the FTAA, which would set trade (and eventually other) policies for the member nations. However, under
the U.S. Constitution only Congress has the power "to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and
among the several states..."
H R 1261: Workforce Reinvestment and Adult Education Act
Vote Date: May 8, 2003
Vote: AYE
Bad Vote
Job Training. This bill (H.R. 1261) would reauthorize the nation's main job-training program. One of its
provisions would allow faith-based groups to receive federal funds while maintaining their religious identity,
including hiring based on religious preferences.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates this bill would increase "mandatory" spending by $17 billion for
the years 2006-2011 and "discretionary" spending by $31 billion over the years 2004-2008.
The House passed H.R. 1261 on May 8, 2003 by a vote of 220 to 204 (Roll Call 175). We have assigned
pluses to the nays because federal aid for job training and education is unconstitutional.
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