House Plans Vote Wednesday on Stimulus Bill

From Congress.org:

HOUSE PLANS VOTE WEDNESDAY ON STIMULUS BILL

Facing rapidly dwindling GOP support, the House plans a vote on Wednesday on their version of the stimulus bill. The Senate Finance Committee released the text for the tax portions last week calling for $275 billion in tax decreases. See the 140-page Senate Finance report here. (Look for the two links starting with "Original Chairman's Mark..." on the Committee page). You can also see the current House text of the bill here.

The stimulus package is criticized from all sides. The GOP says there aren't enough tax cuts. Democrats want more spending. Some question the effect of the stimulus, especially some of the proposed spending such as funding for contraception. Economists say something big needs done fast. The package is almost too big to even summarize, but should Congress pass or defeat the stimulus bill? Select your initial view below to see more details on the proposed spending and then tell Congress what you think.

ACTION POLL: (Cast Your Vote by Sending a Message)
Support the Proposed Economic Stimulus Package
Oppose the Proposed Economic Stimulus Package

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THESE BILLS?

More than 650 bills have been introduced in the House and more than 300 in the Senate in the 111th Congress. What is on the minds of Members of Congress that they feel need to be addressed? Here are a few examples we will track and periodically report on:

(NOTE: You can write to your Members of Congress about any of these bills by entering your ZIP Code in the box in the upper right-side of this website. Be sure to note the bill number in your message. Many bills are alike.)

NEW! H.R. 659 "Private Bill; For the relief of certain aliens who were aboard the Golden Venture" (Bills that benefit a few targeted individuals, like this one by Rep. Todd Platts (R-Penn) are somewhat common.)

H.R. 15 creates a nationalized system of free health care. (No Update - 43 Co-sponsors)

H.R. 414, the Camera Phone Predator Alert Act, requires cameras in cell phones to make an audible sound to alert others (such as in locker rooms) when a picture is taken. (No Update - No Co-sponsors)

H.R. 346 repeals the automatic payraises Congress receives. (No Update - 1 Co-sponsor)

H.R. 390 addresses "college football playoff games" (No Update - 2 Co-sponsors) while H.R. 187 says let Cubans play American baseball. (No Update - No Co-sponsor)

H.R. 227 states that human life begins at fertilization. (No Update - 53 Co-sponsors)

H.R. 254 moves voting to the weekend. (No Update - No Co-sponsors)

H.R. 113 requires anything funded by an earmark to be audited. (No Update - No Co-sponsors) Perhaps things like H.R. 202, which creates a "Museum of Ideas." (No Update - No Co-sponsors)

H.R. 116 ends political "robocalls" if you are on the "Do Not Call" Registry (No update - No Co-sponsors), while Senate bill S. 30 wants there to be caller ID honesty. (No Update - 3 Co-sponsors)

H.R. 126 would limit citizenship at birth only to those who have at least one parent who is a citizen or legal resident. (No Update - No Co-sponsors)H.R. 160 would limit Social Security benefits to only legal citizens or residents. (No Update - 3 Co-sponsors)

H.R. 155 would ban taxes on unemployment benefits for two years (Failed attempt to include in stimulus bill - 5 Co-sponsors), while H.R. 162 bans taxes on Social Security benefits. (No Update - 2 Co-sponsors)

H.R. 87 says "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is," and invites those who like to pay taxes to voluntarily pay extra taxes. (No Update - 3 Co-sponsors) Or how about just a "Fair Tax" (a national sales tax)and abolishing the IRS as called for in H.R. 25. (No Update - 40 Co-sponsors)

H.R. 70 would make it a hate crime to display a noose with the intent to intimidate. (No update - No Co-sponsors) And H.R. 40 explores paying reparations to African-Americans. (No Update - 3 Co-sponsors)

S. 213 would create an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights. (No Update - 1 Co-sponsor)

And Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is back in the swing of things. He's introduced S. 151, a bill to protect Indian arts and crafts. (No Update - 1 Co-sponsor)