The Senate Fiscal Watch Team

LJWorld.com weblogs Congressional Briefing

Posted by Joel Mathis October 26, 2005 at 9:34 a.m.

Sam Brownback links[(Biloxi Sun Herald) Parties use storm as budget cut topic:][1] Meanwhile, a group of seven Republican senators, including Arizona's John McCain, South Carolina's Lindsey Graham, and Kansas' Sam Brownback, announced the formation of a Senate Fiscal Watch Team with plans to push even more cuts to cover the cost of Hurricane Katrina relief. Those cuts included a 4 percent reduction in all federal spending programs except those affecting national security and a two-year delay in the implementation of the Medicare prescription drug benefit. The seven GOP senators also called for a freeze on cost-of-living adjustments for members of Congress and other federal employees and the elimination of some projects included as part of the recently approved highway bill. Also coverage in [The Hill][2][(Angus Reid Global Scan) Rice, Giuliani Top Republican Hopefuls for 2008:][3] Republican Party supporters in the United States have two favourites for the next presidential primary, according to a poll by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. 21 per cent of respondents would vote for current U.S. state secretary Condoleezza Rice, while 21 per cent would back former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani. ... Support is lower for Kansas senator Sam Brownback.Pat Roberts links[(CattleNetwork.com) U.S. Senators To Seek Possible Tariffs On Japan For Beef Ban:][4] Twenty U.S. senators are backing legislation that would impose trade sanctions on Japan if it does not lift its ban on U.S. beef by the end of the year. Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., are scheduled to introduce the bill on the Senate floor Wednesday, according to a joint statement released Tuesday.Todd Tiahrt links[(Washington Post) Nats Host Fundraising Game:][5] As pressure on members of the House and Senate to raise money has intensified, an industry has developed of companies competing to find new ways to attract donors. Sporting events have become prime draws. ... Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) is offering, for $2,500 each, a chance to go on a "European-driven" pheasant hunt on Friday at the Flint Oak Hunting Resort in Kansas.How to contactAs always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][6] [1]: http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/local/12997492.htm [2]: http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/102605/news6.html [3]: http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/9564 [4]: http://www.cattlenetwork.com/content.asp?contentid=12220 [5]: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/25/AR2005102501930.html [6]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed