Sen. Sam Brownback wants to reduce American dependence on oil.The Associated Press reports: “A bipartisan group of senators unveiled legislation yesterday they said would save 2.5 million barrels of oil a day within a decade and 10 million barrels a day by 2031. The country now uses a little more than 20 million barrels of oil a day, most of for transportation. …”The legislation would include tax breaks, as much as 35 percent, and loan guarantees to get automakers to switch from producing gas guzzlers to gas-electric hybrids, advanced diesel or other alternative technologies.”Among those joining Lieberman and Bayh as co-sponsors were Sen. Ken Salazar, a Democrat from Colorado, and GOP Sens. Sam Brownback of Kansas, Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, and Norm Coleman of Minnesota.”‘This is a bipartisan effort,’Brownback said in an interview. ‘This is just good common sense. This is where the public wants us to go. They want us to not be so dependent on foreign oil.'”While lawmakers largely rejected proposals to curtail oil use in transportation in crafting energy legislation earlier this year, Brownback predicted political support for the new proposals.”‘There was a mental sea change in America when gas hit $3 a gallon,’ he said.”More on the measure can be found here.Other links and commentary today:Sam Brownback links(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Dems intensify criticism of Alito: Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., said he was concerned Democrats were moving toward a filibuster and contrasted the forceful comments about Judge Alito with Democrats’ cautious response to Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who was confirmed in September with the support of 22 Democrats. “It seems like it’s a move that they’re making earlier,” Mr. Brownback said. “I think most reserved judgment … until they had John Roberts speak at the hearing openly about these topics. My guess is they’re saying, ‘We want to get a groundswell against this nominee going.’ “(IowaPolitics.com) Pols Test ’08 Caucus Waters: Of all the national politicians mentioned as potential presidential contenders in 2008, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and former vice presidential candidate John Edwards are the most frequent visitors to Iowa so far in 2005. Both men have visited the state four times so far this year. Pat Roberts links(Washington Post) Congress strikes a deal on Patriot Act: Negotiators refused to back the administration’s request for administrative subpoenas, which would have expanded the government’s power to subpoena records without the approval of a judge or grand jury in terrorism investigations. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, called that “a serious mistake,” saying the government already has such powers to investigate non-security issues such as Medicare fraud. “We can do it for a dirty doctor but not a dirty bomber,” he said.(Kansas City Star) Senate approves bill to aid pension system: The Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill to strengthen the nation’s private pension system by requiring employers to pay higher premiums to the government’s pension insurance agency. … Sen. Pat Roberts, a Kansas Republican, said: “This legislation will ensure companies better calculate their pension obligations and ensure that retirement promises made to workers are kept.”Jerry Moran links(Associated Press) White House veto threat nixes Cuba trade provision: Midwestern lawmakers expressed disappointment Wednesday after a measure to ease restrictions on agriculture trade with Cuba was dropped – under the threat of a presidential veto – from a massive spending bill. … “When we don’t sell wheat to Cuba, someone else does,” said Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan. “We’re demonstrating to Cuba that were not a reliable market and they’re looking elsewhere for agriculture commodities.”(Lawrence Journal-World) Republicans show Shallenburger support: Various Republican elected officials in Kansas on Wednesday expressed support for Tim Shallenburger, the state party chairman who has been under fire from some Wichita conservatives for “welcoming” candidates lax on abortion into the fold. “I am a supporter of Tim and believe he has done a good job in the party,” said U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, who represents the “Big First” western Kansas district in Congress.Todd Tiahrt links(The Hill) Budget reconciliation stumbling to a vote on the House floor: In anticipation of the vote, some members used yesterday’s conference meeting to pressure their reluctant colleagues while others tried to quell their fears. Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), a member of Blunt’s whip organization, reminded members that congressional Republicans faced a barrage of negative press and opposition advertising heading in to the 1996 election but Republicans ultimately lost only two seats.How to contactAs always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation here.