The Madness of the 112th Congressional House

The new republican held House of Representatives is off to a smashing start. In their first month and a half (as of Feb. 20, 2011), they have managed to pass a whopping 4 bills.

H.R. 1 - Appropriations Bill
H.R. 2 - Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act
H.R. 359 - Termination of Taxpayer financing of Pres. election campaigns and party conventions
H.R. 514 - Extending the Patriot Act till Dec. 8 2011

You can search for all these bills at http://thomas.loc.gov/home/LegislativeData.php?&n=BSS&c=112

Overview:

1. H.R. 1 - Appropriations Bill. A Slash and Burn Bill that cuts $60 Million of expenditure by drastically cutting social/environmental departments/agencies and adds no income to the budget. This cuts programs from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - the people that inform you and your news channels of everything from sunny or rainy days, to tornadoes and hurricanes), the EPA (those that keep your water clean and drinkable, and the air around you clean and breathable), along with many other positions, departments, and programs. [I am waiting for a report from the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) to be able to give more details, especially about defense spending]
   
2. H.R. 2 - Repeals the Affordable Health Care Act. This is a truly partisan bill from the far right to placate the Tea Party and others. The CBO estimates an additional $200 Million added to the debt over the next 20 years. [This bill is a waste of taxpayers money and congressional time as it will doubtfully pass the senate, and will definitely be vetoed by the President].
   
3. H.R. 359 The option on your tax return to voluntarily set aside a portion of your taxes to fund the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. All funding will cease, and the current balance of approximately $195 Million will be transfered to the general Treasury fund. Saves approx. $617 Million over 20 years - does not increase tax revenues. [So much for the little guy to even have a chance to run - this just reinforces the two party system, with corporate backing.]
   
4. H.R. 514 - Extends the Patriot Act to Dec. 8, 2011. Renamed the FISA Sunset Extension Act. (Passed in the Senate) [Need I say more?]
   

Not to mention the new Speaker of the House, John Boehner, has granted an excellent working schedule: one week vacation for every two weeks worked, plus all their other holidays and days off. Yes, they call that week off 'constituency week', but it is still time away from actually governing. And at a minimum of $174,00/yr, plus perks, I certainly want my legislators legislating!

There has been nothing fiscally responsible here, nor are there any new jobs (one of the mantras of the conservatives this past election cycle). Both HR 1 and HR 2 cuts jobs, adds no income to the federal budget, and either kills or cuts parts of the government that actually protect and enhance our lives. H.R. 359, while it saves a small amount over a 20 year period, does nothing more than to force presidential candidates to be backed by big money, which, on the heels of the 'Citizens United' fiasco, deteriorates the entire election process even more.

Fiscal responsibility is not enacting draconian legislation, but trying to get the most from our money that actually improves American's lives. We are still waiting.