UNDER THE DOME
National Legislation
Welfare reform:
Welfare reform is up for reauthorization by the Senate. The biggest problem, according to Michael Schwartz, CWA Vice President for governmental relations, is that the governors of the states are not eager for a reauthorization because they are not eager to see new tougher standards for the states to meet.
Another problem is the abstinence funding and promotion of marriage. Some in our country do not want to see the goal of government support of strong marriages and the abstinence message go forward because it undermines some of the agenda of "sexual liberation" and alternative family groupings. An amendment will be introduced by Max Baucus (D) Montana and Lincoln Chafee (R) Rhode Island that will kill abstinence education by allowing the states themselves to define "abstinence." In the present language, abstinence until marriage is the expected norm, but under this proposed amendment, states could define the expected outcome any way they choose. Those on the other side would prefer that "abstinence-in-name-only or abstinent-light" programs be implemented with condoms as the fail-safe. Condoms DO NOT protect against all sexually-transmitted diseases. Human papilloma virus, the leading cause of cervical and penile cancer is not prevented by condoms. This is a serious challenge to the great strides that true abstinence education has made in the ongoing battle to protect our children from sexually-transmitted diseases and from pregnancy, not to mention the psychological and spiritual consequences of promiscuous sex. Those who profit from condom use will be relentless in achieving their goals and we must be equally diligent to protect our children.
Action: Call your senators and tell them that you want the current abstinence education program and the Healthy Marriage Initiative of HR 4 left in the welfare reauthorization. Urge them to protect marriage and our children.
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
Ask for Sen. Brownback and Sen. Roberts.
Marriage protection:
CWA is supporting HR 3313, the Marriage Protection Act introduced by Rep. John Hostettler (R-Indiana). This bill precludes federal courts from hearing most cases that could arise under the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Disputes growing out of the Act�s definition of marriage for all purposes of federal law would be decided within the relevant federal agency, subject to the control of the President and the oversight of Congress. Disputes about the recognition by one state of a faux "marriage" recognized in another state would go immediately to the Supreme Court, which would either recognize the right of Congress, under Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution, to protect states from being forced to recognize faux "marriages" or provoke a constitutional showdown with Congress. According to Michael Schwartz, "the Hostettler bill offers a practical, attainable way to protect other states from being dragged into the abolition of marriage that is currently contemplated in Massachusetts and California."
Constitutional Restoration Act (HR 3799/S 2082)
This bill is aimed at limiting court jurisdiction by preventing the federal courts from hearing any case based on a claim that the acknowledgment of God by a government official or agency as the source of our law, liberty and form of government amounts to an unconstitutional "establishment of religion." This is the unifying principle behind the anti-religious nuisance suits against the Pledge of Allegiance, displays of the Ten Commandments, the motto of the state of Ohio and other acknowledgements of God woven into our national life.
Both of these bills remind the courts that excessive use of their power is unconstitutional. It also reminds them that their function is to apply the law not make it up as they go along.
Action: Contact senators and representatives and ask them to co-sponsor and support both of these bills.
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121