Pat Roberts links (The Nation commentary) The George & Laura Show: I headed straight toward Pat Roberts, the Republican chairman of the Senate intelligence committee. Why, I asked ever-so politely, had his committee not yet completed the so-called Phase II report that is supposed to examine how the Bush White House used–or abused–the intelligence on WMDs. Roberts claimed he wanted to finish the report and get the damn thing off his back. But, he explained, the problem was that he had decided that the committee should look at the prewar statements of a variety of public officials–meaning Democratic members of Congress–and the Democrats now were not so hot to proceed. In other words, Roberts had told the Dems, You want to look at what Bush, Cheney, Rice and the rest said about WMDs before the war? Fine, let’s go over 46 statements from prominent Democrats–like Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, John Edwards, Bill Clinton, and so on–who also had said there was a WMD threat from Iraq. Sam Brownback links (AP) Driver’s license deal rolls ahead: Senate negotiators on Monday accepted a House plan to make states verify that driver’s license applicants are U.S. citizens or legal immigrants, but softened House-proposed changes in asylum laws. … Provisions that would make it easier for judges to reject asylum claims and force asylum applicants to meet a higher standard of proof also survived negotiations. However, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) persuaded colleagues to restore appeal opportunities for asylum seekers and to limit judges’ discretion to reject an asylum claim based solely on the applicant’s credibility or demeanor.(Medical News Today) Brazil Refuses $40M in U.S. AIDS Grants: Brazilian officials last week said that the country has refused $40 million in US. AIDS grants because of a Bush administration requirement that HIV/AIDS organizations seeking funding to provide services in other countries must pledge to oppose commercial sex work. … “Obviously, Brazil has the right to act however it chooses in this regard,” Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), who has been a leader for “conservative causes]” in Congress, said, adding that he hopes the grants can be redirected to other countries with policies that are in line with the Bush administration, according to the (Wall Street) Journal. “We’re talking about promotion of prostitution, which the majority of both the House and Senate believe is harmful to women.”Jim Ryun links [(Lawrence Journal-World) Mays considering run for governor: Other possible Republican candidates include State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, Atty. Gen. Phill Kline, U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun — who represents west Lawrence — and Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh. Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, said he also was considering a run. (Detroit Free Press) Today’s hearing aids are better: On the upside, pending federal legislation would give people older than 55 some financial relief for hearing aid purchases. The Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act, (H.R. 3103/S. 2055), introduced by U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, R-Kan., and Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., offers a tax credit of up to $500 every five years. It is now under review in the Senate and House of Representatives.Todd Tiahrt links (Concord Monitor Online) Roll Call – DC: The House on Wednesday voted, 406 for and 20 against, to reinstate strict, bipartisan ethics rules that the Republican majority had scrapped four months earlier. … Rep. Todd Tiahrt, a Kansas Republican, said: “Some people may say the majority party is in full retreat. . . . Well, that is incorrect. . . . Where the fault lies is with those who use the ethics rules for pure political attacks. . . .”How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation here.