Sam Brownback(USA Today) Demand for fuel-efficient cars puts pressure on Congress: 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: 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: 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: 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.