Posted by Joel Mathis July 10, 2006 at 6:44 a.m.

Brownback backs plan to require more hybrid and alternative-fuel cars

Sam Brownback[(USA Today) Demand for fuel-efficient cars puts pressure on Congress:][1] With voters clamoring for relief from sky-high gas prices and facing long waits to buy hybrid cars, bipartisan legislation to increase production of fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative fuels is gaining momentum. More than a quarter of the Senate, including five potential presidential candidates, and 84 House members are pushing for a vote on "vehicle and fuel choice" measures that are supported by an unusual alliance of conservative and liberal groups. Senate sponsors, including Sens. Evan Bayh, D-Ind.; Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., vow to force a vote on their plan, preferably as part of a vote on broader energy bill that may deal with gasoline price gouging. Altogether, 28 senators support the bill.[(Washington Times) Western fears grow over new security group:][2] Members of the U.S. Congress and European leaders fear that an economic and security group led by Russia and China will emerge as an anti-democratic rival to the West, but analysts warn against confrontation. The two central players in this debate are the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a 56-member group that grew out of the Cold War, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a six-member group that is a product of the post-Soviet reality. China and Russia are the driving forces behind the SCO. ... Sen. Sam Brownback, Kansas Republican and chairman of the Helsinki Commission, described the SCO as "a collection of largely authoritarian and anti-democratic regimes with little tolerance for human rights." [(Charlotte Observer) Minister to step down after career organizing retreats for politicians:][3] The institute's annual trip to landmarks of the civil-rights movement in Alabama, which has attracted some powerful members of Congress, is hosted by Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a hero of the civil rights movement and co-chair of the institute board. ... "The civil-rights pilgrimages I took part in were truly powerful moments for me," says Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, a Catholic and ally of the conservative Christian Coalition. "(They) provided opportunities for public policy leaders to see first-hand places of pain for our nation and to understand the need for courage and compassion to heal the wounds."[(Robert Novak commentary) Wooing Hispanics:][4] Presidential adviser Karl Rove and Sen. Sam Brownback, two conservative Republicans who favor a guest-worker program for immigrants, will address the left-wing Hispanic advocacy group La Raza in Los Angeles this week. La Raza was active in increasing participation in nationwide work stoppages and demonstrations April 10 after the House passed a tough border enforcement bill. La Raza in Spanish means "The Race."How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][5] [1]: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-07-09-alt-fuel_x.htm [2]: http://washingtontimes.com/world/20060709-092738-6262r.htm [3]: http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/nation/15003543.htm [4]: http://www.lincolntribune.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=4822 [5]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed