[StBernard] Washington Report from Rep. Richard H. Baker

Westley Annis Westley at da-parish.com
Fri Oct 19 22:49:35 EDT 2007


October 19, 2007

Thank you for signing up for Congressman Baker’s newsletter. Below are issue updates that you may find interesting. As always, please visit his website at http://www.baker.house.gov <http://www.baker.house.gov/> for the most up-to-date news and information on what Congressman Baker is working on in the Sixth Congressional District of Louisiana.

House Passes Extension of Internet Tax Moratorium

This week the House passed an extension of the Internet Tax Moratorium. The current ban is set to expire November 1, 2007. This bill continues to bar states and localities from imposing fees on Internet-access until November 1, 2011. Although he supported this legislation, Congressman Baker has long fought for a permanent ban on Internet use taxes. Congressman Baker strongly believes keeping the Internet tax-free is the right thing for the American people and vital to the U.S. economy.

Flag Certificate Censorship Update

Congressman Baker received hundreds of letters from constituents in response to the Architect of the Capitol’s religious censorship on flag certificates. To find out what he is doing in Washington to stop this, click here. <http://www.baker.house.gov/html/content.cfm?id=704>

SCHIP Veto Override Vote

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives held a vote to override President Bush’s veto of a $35 billion expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program that would have provided free government health insurance for families earning up to $80,000 a year. The House failed to override the veto. Read Rep. Baker’s position on this legislation by clicking here. <http://www.baker.house.gov/html/content.cfm?id=705>

Rep. Baker Fights to Repeal the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset

Rep. Baker co-signed a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel urging him to support H.R. 82, legislation that repeals two Social Security offsets. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduce the amount of Social Security benefits received by retired public servants or their dependents and spouses. Rep. Baker, a co-sponsor of the legislation to eliminate these offsets, joined Louisiana Representatives Boustany and Alexander, as well as over 30 other House Members, in urging Chairman Rangel to move this legislation forward. To view a copy of the letter, click here. <http://www.baker.house.gov/files/10-18-07RangelSocialSecurityLetter-FINAL.pdf>

Rep. Baker Works with Colleagues to Prevent FCC from Implementing the "Fairness Doctrine"

Created in the 1940's, the cleverly titled "Fairness Doctrine" was meant to ensure that the then-limited media outlets would offer audiences a spectrum of opinion. But over the years, the proliferation of TV, radio, print, and Internet media has transformed the Fairness Doctrine into little more than a way for the government to restrict free speech over the public airways. In 1987, after an opinion issued by the Supreme Court on the matter, the FCC discontinued the use of the doctrine but the federal agency still has the authority to reinstate it. There have been recent attempts to revive the doctrine, which would result in a dangerous setback for the cause of free speech. Rep. Baker has co-sponsored legislation, H.R. 2905, the "Broadcast Freedom Act," which would prohibit the FCC from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. Rep. Baker will continue to work with his colleagues to bring this legislation for a vote before the House of Representatives.

House Passes Rail Safety Bill that Includes Baker Rail Maintenance Amendment

During Transportation and Infrastructure Committee consideration of H.R.2095, the "Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007," an amendment by Congressman Baker was included in the final legislation, which requires railroads to file annual reports on infrastructure maintenance and capital improvements made during the calendar year. For the first time, the public will be able to review investments in rail infrastructure, greatly enhancing the "big picture" of rail safety. Click here to read Congressman Baker’s full statement <http://www.baker.house.gov/html/content.cfm?id=706&a=1&CFID=4388004&CFTOKEN=62137793> on the House floor during passage of H.R. 2095. H.R. 2095 now awaits consideration by the Senate.

Rep. Baker Lauds House Passage of ALS Registry Bill

Legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Baker, H.R. 2295, passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday. This bill will advance the search for a treatment and cure to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. H.R. 2295 will create an ALS Registry that will assist our nation’s physicians, scientists, and researchers with the information they need to make progress in the fight against ALS. This progress can lead to improved treatments and therefore a better quality of life for people living with ALS.





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