Posted by Joel Mathis June 6, 2005 at 10:03 a.m.

Blocking the path

Sam Brownback links [(Chicago Sun-Times) New confirmation trouble (Second item):][1] Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas has quietly put a hold on Bush's nomination of Julie Finley to be U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe because of her fervent support for abortion rights. Finley has been a major contributor to Bush and is a longtime Republican leader in the District of Columbia. The White House contends that Finley's proposed diplomatic post has nothing to do with abortion. Brownback argues that the OSCE, a European multilateral organization, often gets into women's issues.[(Kansas City Star) Tables turned in Senate as new filibuster looms:][2] After neatly sidestepping one filibuster, the Senate could soon be facing another. This time the issue will not be President Bush's judicial nominees, but legislation to relax restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. Unlike on judges, many Republicans have allied themselves with Democrats in support of the research, bucking their president and party leadership. And instead of the Democrats, it will be a Republican - Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas - promising to block the legislation, by filibuster if necessary.Pat Roberts links [(USA Today commentary by Pat Roberts) Give FBI all legal tools:][3] The USA Patriot Act was a step in the right direction. It tore down walls that prevented information sharing and updated intelligence laws that predated the cell phone and Internet. Opponents criticized the act, but their claims haven't been supported by facts. Through aggressive congressional oversight, we know the FBI wisely uses Patriot Act authority within the law. Congress should permanently authorize expiring intelligence provisions this year; it is the right thing to do.Jerry Moran links [(Kansas City Star) Moran still reliably unreliable:][4] Is this any way to start a campaign for governor? Jerry Moran, the congressman from Hays with the reputation for being indecisive, said last week that he just may run for Kansas governor next year after all. "If I determine that this makes the most sense for me and for my family, I'll move forward," he said. That statement came almost a month after he told top Kansas Republicans he would not run for governor next year.Todd Tiahrt links [(Chicago Tribune) Boeing, Airbus fuel up for tanker battle in Congress:][5] As the dust settles on a series of scandals at Boeing Co., the Chicago-based aerospace giant and its nemesis, Airbus, are now jockeying to revive a multibillion-dollar Air Force plan to purchase hundreds of modified airliners as aerial refueling tankers. ... And plenty of members of Congress are willing to give Boeing the benefit of the doubt. "It has to move ahead," said Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.). His Wichita district would be home to the Boeing plant where the company would make the new tankers out of its 767 commercial models. The existing tankers, he argued, "were built 45 years ago. Are you driving around in a 1960 Dodge Dart?"How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][6] [1]: http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak05.html [2]: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/11824005.htm [3]: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-06-01-oppose_x.htm [4]: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/news/politics/11817936.htm [5]: http://www.some-web-page.com [6]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed