Legislative Update

Follow up
S2845 passed in the Senate today with a 96-2 vote. It is still way too early to think that it will be anything close to what it now reads. Two Amendments were pulled down to allow for an early vote and they will be brought up during the conference committee hearing. Sen John McCain said he has problems with the Bill but they can be discussed after the Bill is passed. This type hidden negotiation is harmful to the citizens of this country. The Senate was given notice by Senator Frist that there was another security Bill which must be passed by Friday in time for adjournment despite there being 50 Amendments pending for the Bill. He assured the Senate they would be heard but it had to be done in one day so don't drag it out. This must be done by his order despite him keeping a Bill with a majority of both Parties ready to pass a Bill to cut tax breaks for companies doing business from a PO Box in the Bahamas to avoid paying taxes.
Meanwhile Rep. Tom DeLay let it be known that the House will pass a much more restrictive Intelligence Bill by Friday and he would not be willing to make concessions to the Senate Bill during the Conference Hearing. The House also was given notice by the Majority leader that they had three more Bills to get passed by Friday and if they didn't get finished they would stay there until they did. This is the time when we all get hit hard by legislators voting without being aware of what they are voting on. All the Bills passed at this time will go to Conference and come back being what the majority Party wants.
The TEA has not even come close to coming out of Conference and has just been extended until May of next year under its current rules. This is good for us as the more stringent NHTSA guidelines can not be implemented probably before January at the earliest. We will deal with that issue again immediately after the elections.
No call from our secretary candidate to verify a meeting for tomorrow so I will be heading back to Dist. 22 as soon as I clear up a few more items here in the office. I will work down there Thursday and I have a Dr. appointment Friday. You can contact your chairman on the cell 512-971-6777 during the next few days as I will not be in the office.

Have I done that which I can do to the best of my ability?

HELL NO !! - but I'm trying.

Sputnik