The Wrap-up

Spending

Congressman Mike Pence implores President Bush to veto a bill that would allow federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

Congressman Jeff Flake reveals government largesse in the form of a $150,000 earmark destined to address the perils of obesity in Davis, California.

“H.R. 3496: The Biggest Pork Barrel Earmark in History?” Sad but true, says Heritage—and ACU.

Check out the new Web site for Senator Tom Coburn’s subcommittee for federal financial management, government information and international security.

Government-funded “sports pork” is an entrenched and wholly unnecessary use of taxpayers’ money, reports ESPN.

ATR releases its annual Cost of Government Day Report, a measure of governmental solvency and total taxpayers’ burden.

As he calls on conservatives to ratchet down excessive expenditures, Grover Norquist asserts that government spending is increasing at an unsustainable rate.

Immigration

Channeling both Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, 33 leading conservatives come out for comprehensive immigration reform.

Energy

Soaring oil prices have economists betting upwards of $80 on the future value of oil.

CEI claims that doom and gloom scenarios of global warming derive from misguided science and cautions that energy policy reform would likely result in a misallocation of scarce resources.

Miscellaneous

Corporate foundations in America gave a record $3.6 billion in charitable donations last year.

Last week the House passed legislation containing nearly $50 million in additional expenditures over five years and a $1.5 million decrease in government revenues over five years, reports the RSC.

The Hill reveals ironic happenings in the capitol, from a convicted felon being honored at the U.S. Capitol Historical Society to a congressman likening immigrants to livestock.

The 527 Reform Act, an anti-free speech provision of H.R. 513 that ACU opposes, will likely be sidelined in this congressional session.

FEMA’s “central planning” role in allocating resources and emergency response to disasters is replete with inefficient and ineffective bureaucracy that stifles relief efforts and inhibits stabilized recovery.

Former President Clinton praises President Bush’s efforts on immigration reform and criticizes Republicans who seek to divide Americans on this polemic issue.

As House discussion over the minimum wage increases, the RSC offers a selection of pertinent information on the history, enforcement and significance of minimum wages in the marketplace.

Congressman Steve Chabot delves into the issue of Taiwan’s freedom from Chinese control and hints toward impending trouble for the U.S. if the diplomatic sovereignty of Taiwan goes wobbly.

Michael Massing brings some much-needed context to the now-infamous essay, “The Israel Lobby,” by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt.