Federal Issues:
Taxes, Internet Gambling, New START, Judges

Radio Commentary, WMVV 90.7 New Life FM, December 10, 2010
By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. I know it’s the Christmas Season, but we must remain politically vigilant and “work ’til Jesus comes,” as the great hymn goes. Last week, I reported on the DREAM Act and you’ve done a great job. It came up, did not pass, but may come up again. In fact, the current majority is feverishly maneuvering to jam bad legislation through, before December 31.

Behind-the-scenes battles are being won or lost in Congress right now. Liberals are still in control. They still decide which bills pass and which die and they don’t appear concerned about the damage they’re doing to the people or the country. The Bush tax cuts are scheduled to expire December 31, unless Congress votes to extend them. Some want to restore the federal death tax that’s currently 0 %, but would jump to 55 % if current law were repealed. There are efforts to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law that prohibits homosexuals from openly serving in the military. That issue was attached to another bill, but it also failed to pass in the last few days. Don’t be surprised if it comes up again.

Gambling may be expanded, if Senator Reid succeeds in attaching his bill to legalize Internet gambling to legislation that must pass. The New START Treaty is expected to get a vote before the end of the year, even though it puts the U.S. at a disadvantage and requires NO verification of Russian compliance. That’s extremely serious, since the President signed New START in April and is pressing the Senate to ratify it before the end of the year.

Eagle Forum was among 33 conservative groups that sent a joint memo to Congress listing their concerns with New START and urging them NOT to bring it up in the lame duck session. Also expressing concern were 13 former U.S. Senators, who wrote a separate letter to Senate Leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell, urging them NOT to consider New START this session.

On another critically important issue, Eagle Forum and other conservative groups jointly signed a letter urging the Senate NOT to confirm judicial nominees during the lame duck session. That letter was prompted by actions of President Obama, who has repeatedly re-nominated individuals the Senate had already refused to confirm when he nominated them the first time. This is another serious situation, since nominees with very troubling records, but repeatedly presented to the Senate, may be confirmed to near-life-time jobs. Please call Senators Chambliss and Isakson AND your U.S. Congressman at 1 877 851-6437*, urging them to PLEASE vote NO on all these issues. For Georgia Insight, I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.