Posted by Joel Mathis November 4, 2005 at 9:37 a.m.

"The odd couple"?

Sam Brownback links [(Indian Country Today) Conference examines nationwide battles and new initiatives:][1] NCAI is working with Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., on a congressional apology resolution to Indian country for the terrible and unjust treatment of Americans Indians. Brownback also sent a video address to the convention encouraging support from Indian country for the formal apology. ''And we have stood side by side with Native Hawaiians in their efforts to achieve federal recognition. Throughout all of these battles and initiatives, I have tried every day to never lose sight of all the great men, women and children of Indian country that I serve.'' [(Washington Times) The odd couple:][2] Former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, a Democrat, and Sen. Sam Brownback, Kansas Republican, have joined forces as leaders of a coalition for a bipartisan foreign policy, at a time, they said, when the political atmosphere in Washington is nastier than ever, our correspondent Nicholas Kralev reports. ... The senator, whose concerns include human rights in places such as Sudan and North Korea, said there is a "clear opportunity to do a very constructive foreign policy in left-right coalitions." Mr. Brownback is a former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian affairs. [(Agape Press) Commentary & News Briefs:][3] Kansas Republican Senator Sam Brownback is one of many conservatives in Congress who want to see spending curtailed through what is called the "CARFA Act" -- officially titled the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act. CARFA is a commission that would periodically review the need for federal agencies. "It's basically a BRAC process, [a] Military Base Closing Commission process for the rest of government," Brownback explains, "and it needs to get in the system."Dennis Moore links [(Lawrence Journal-World) Senate reworks financial aid:][4] A major overhaul of federal student loan programs could force students and families to pay thousands of more dollars for their education in the future. ... U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, a Democrat whose 3rd District covers parts of eastern Lawrence, said the proposals shortchanged young people. ... "To me, it's just wrong when we try to pay for tax cuts and catastrophes like Katrina by cutting back on the people who need it the most," he said.Jerry Moran links [(Hutchinson News) Kansas sixth in nation in farm subsidies paid:][5] And although no Kansas farms ranked in the nation's top 100 for government payments, Kansas' Big First Congressional District was the second-largest recipient of subsidies nationwide with $463 million in 2004. "It is good to see that Kansas farmers are benefiting from U.S. farm programs," said Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., who represents the 69 counties in the Big First. "We worked hard to develop a farm bill that promotes Kansas agriculture. It is natural that one of the top agriculture producing congressional districts in the country would be one of the top beneficiaries."How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][6] [1]: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096411863 [2]: http://washingtontimes.com/world/20051103-111732-4143r.htm [3]: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/11/32005h.asp [4]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/nov/04/senate_reworks_financial_aid/?city_local [5]: http://www.hutchnews.com/news/regional/stories/subsidy110405.html [6]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed