UNDER THE DOME
National Legislation
Grassroots Lobbying (S. 1)
The first item dealt with in the Senate is the lobbying
reform bill known as the Legislative Transparency and
Accountability Act of 2007, or Senate Bill 1. The
overall goal of the bill is to reform the lobbying
practices which have developed over the years into a
huge, sometimes corrupt, industry known as “K
Street” because that’s where many of the lobbying
groups have their headquarters. There was a
provision in the bill, however, that applied to
grassroots lobbying groups such as CWA and others
who call on their members to contact their legislators
and put pressure on them on certain issues. It
forced heavy reporting requirements and restrictions
complete with civil and criminal penalties for
noncompliance.
Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah) recognized the danger
of this section and quickly offered an amendment to
strip the section from the bill. CWA and other
grassroots lobbying groups mobilized their
constituents to contact their legislators asking them
to support the Bennett amendment known as
Amendment 20. When the Bennett amendment came
to a vote, 55 senators supported it and the
problematic section has been stripped from the
original bill.
As CWA stated it, “Grassroots activism – spurred on
by groups like CWA – saved the future of grassroots
activism.” CWA plans to fight this battle again if the
House bill contains the same unconstitutional
language.
Thank you to all of you who took the time to contact
Sens. Brownback and Roberts on this issue. Our
voices were heard. Grassroots lobbying does make a
difference!
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Funding (H.R. 3)
As one of their first actions, the House passed, 253 –
174, H.R. 3, the bill to federally fund Embryonic Stem
Cell Research. The Kansas delegation was split:
Reps. Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt voted against it;
Reps. Nancy Boyda and Dennis Moore voted for it.
President Bush has promised to veto this legislation if
the Senate also passes it, and there were not
enough votes in the House to override his
veto.
As the representatives debated the bill on the House
floor, several made excellent speeches, and we have
excerpted two of those:
“Today I rise in opposition to the taking of human
life. . . . Is it showing respect to kill embryos for
research? To allow the seeds of the next generation
to be used for the doubtful sake of our own?
Furthermore, does it show respect to the
consciences of Americans who oppose the research
to provide public funding for it?” – Mark Souder (R-
Indiana)
“Last year here in Congress, I was surrounded by
dozens of snowflake babies, Mr. Speaker, children
born from frozen embryos. I couldn’t help but think
of that ancient verse, ‘I have set before you life and
[death], blessings and curses. Now choose life, so
that you and your children may live.’ It is my fervent
hope, Mr. Speaker, and my prayer, as we stand at
the crossroads of science and the sanctity of life,
that we will choose life.” – Mike Pence (R-Indiana)
It is not clear when the Senate will take up this
measure, but CWA’s President, Wendy Wright,
said, “We hope the Senate will show a more vigilant
regard for life and not fall prey to the manipulations
and falsehoods extended by those who want to strip
human rights from an entire class of human
beings.”
ACTION:
Contact Reps. Moran and Tiahrt and thank them for
their stand for life!
“Hate Crimes” (H.R. 254)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) has introduced
the David Ray Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007,
(H.R. 254), which gives stricter penalties to criminals
when their victims are homosexuals. The bill was
referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
Any crime is reprehensible to those of us who respect
the rule of law, and elevating crimes against
homosexuals above other crimes gives them “extra”
protection rather than “equal” protection under the
law. Similar laws in other countries have had a
chilling effect on freedoms of religion and speech.
Pastors in Canada and Sweden have been arrested
for preaching sermons on the Biblical teachings on
homosexuality.
CWA will be following this legislation very closely.
Expect a similar bill to be introduced in the
Senate.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
The
White House
Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121, or toll free: 888-
534-6226 or 877-762-8762.
Sen. Sam
Brownback
303 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6521
Fax: (202) 228-1265
Sen. Pat
Roberts
109 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1605
Phone: (202) 224-4774
Fax: (202) 224-3514
Rep.
Jerry Moran
2202 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2715
Fax: (202) 225-5124
Rep. Nancy
Boyda
1711 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6601
Fax: (202) 225-7986
Rep. Dennis
Moore
1727 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2865
Fax: (202) 225-2807
Rep. Todd
Tiahrt
2441 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202.225.6216
Fax: 202.225.3489
CWA’s Web Site
Get up-to-date information on the national issues
that CWA is following. Check CWA's web site
regularly!
You can also find excellent background information
and talking points on many of the issues on CWA’s Legislative Action
Committee web site.
Thank You!
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Concerned Women for America of Kansas
P. O. Box 11233
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207
Phone/Fax: 913-491-1380
Email: director@kansas.cwfa.org
Web site: kansas.cwfa.org
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