The Justice Department is seeking a maximum prison sentence of 57 months for superlobbyist Paul Magliocchetti, accusing him of "devising one of the largest criminal schemes in U.S. history to violate federal campaign finance laws," according to a sentencing memo filed last week in federal court.
The letter sent by all 42 Republican senators to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid informing him that they would not allow any other legislation to proceed until both the George W. Bush tax cuts and continued funding of the government have been taken care of was a welcome moment of focus and firmness on the part of a Republican leadership that has not always displayed those qualities.
A few dedicated members of Congress, together with the Tea Party, have succeeded in making earmarks a dirty word. It has taken years, but victory is near. What is needed now is to build on this victory by targeting omnibus spending bills - those 2,000-page monsters that include everything but the kitchen sink.
Republicans need to abandon this ridiculous agreement with the Obama administration regarding extension of the Bush tax rates. Unless they are made permanent, there should be no deal.
The debate over New START has ushered in a new consensus on the need to modernize our nuclear deterrent and the resources required to get the job done. All that is left is for Congress to vote this month to finish the job by approving New START and the president's investment in our nuclear security. In doing so, it will have reversed years of neglect and decline in our nuclear establishment, and made the American people safer in the process.
Never has the expression "What planet are these people from?" seemed more appropriate than when it refers to the actions of the majority of Democrats in the House of Representatives this week on the proposed tax bill compromise. In the real world, their choice is that they either vote for the compromise, which means no one will suffer a tax increase as of Jan. 1, or that everyone will have a huge tax increase. Also, the lowest wage earners will see a 50 percent jump in their tax rates, from 10 percent to 15 percent.
In an overwhelming bipartisan vote the Senate on Monday cleared a path for the tax-cut deal President Obama struck with Republicans last week, with even former staunch opponents of the Bush-era tax cuts voting for their extension.
House Democratic Leader Steny H. Hoyer says that despite his party's massive losses in last month's congressional elections, history will prove the Democratic agenda is the correct path to lead the country out of its economic doldrums.
Three military veterans who were discharged under the law that prohibits gays from serving openly in uniform sued the government Monday to be reinstated and to pressure lawmakers to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law before a new Congress is sworn in.
