GOP Wages War Against Its Conservatives

GOPUSA ^ | June.28,2004 | Christopher G. Adamo

[Reagan Man]

Colorado Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo is in big trouble with the GOP leadership. And just what, you may be wondering, is his great sin? "Team America," a political action committee originally founded by Tancredo, worked to unseat Representative Chris Cannon, a liberal Republican from Utah, by supporting Matthew Throckmorton, his challenger in the Republican primary.

Chief among those organizations caterwauling about the actions of Tancredo is the liberal "Tuesday Group," a coalition of approximately thirty liberal Republican House members whose goal is to steer the party to the left. Hiding under the cloak of a grossly distorted rendition of Ronald Reagan's "Eleventh Commandment" ("Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican"), the Tuesday Group is now expressing concern that party conservatives are finally making efforts to strike back.

Apparently, undermining the conservative agenda by abandoning the party at key junctures during the legislative process is perfectly fine with these Republican "centrists." But any discussion of such matters by conservatives, who have tired of seeing their party abandoning its principles, is strictly taboo. By such hypocritical assertions, these liberal "Trojan Horses" hope to continue dominating party politics from within.

Of course Ronald Reagan never intended for his "Eleventh Commandment" to be arbitrarily invoked as a means of allowing liberalism to spread, unchecked, within the ranks of the GOP. Rather, it was supposed to prevent the sort of backbiting and mud slinging within party ranks, which can ultimately undermine the credibility of the entire party.

House Majority leader Tom Delay, a longtime champion of conservatism, has found himself in the middle of this row. Seeking to maintain a cohesive Republican majority, he is promoting themes of "team spirit" and "comity" among party members. Delay even referenced Reagan's "Eleventh Commandment" in a meeting with Tancredo in which the Colorado Congressman was apparently warned to change his ways and endorse a unified party, or face retribution within Republican circles.

Unfortunately, such rhetoric fails to deal with the fact that it is the Republican liberals who regularly undermine party unity by voting with Democrats at critical junctures. With such people constantly placing the philosophies of liberalism ahead of traditional Republican principle, the only manner in which even a facade of "unity" can be maintained is for the entire party to shift to the left. This, of course, is precisely the strategy of the liberal Republicans.

Tancredo's major issue of concern is unchecked illegal immigration and the resulting compromise of America's borders. Hardly a miniscule "pet issue" of a fringe constituency, the immigration problem goes to the very core of maintaining America's national integrity and heritage. Little else of GOP principles or goals can be regarded as significant in any way, as long the party remains indifferent to the invasion of the nation's borders by a flood of illegal immigrants who, as soon as they are able to do so, will vote against such things. Yet, major forces within the GOP are once again actively working to insure that at best, the Republican counterpart to Democrat plans of opening the borders will only amount to a watered-down version of the very same thing.

By supporting truly conservative Republican challengers, Tancredo's PAC hopes to specifically target key players of the open borders advocacy for defeat during their respective state primaries. While it is not entirely clear whether or not Tancredo is still officially participating with the work of the PAC, his political ideology remains consistent with that of its members. Tancredo realizes that threats to the future of the nation are no less virulent when advanced by so-called "Republicans," than when spawned by their traditional advocates, the Democrats.

Tom Delay has, in the past, shown himself to be extremely principled, with the one notable exception being his support, under severe White House pressure, for an education bill that was essentially crafted by Ted Kennedy. He knows that if his party persists in its claims to uphold both high and low standards, only the low standards will prevail. Though presently striving to remain within the boundaries of party loyalty, he is surely aware that, as a principled conservative, his own future is no less threatened by the underhanded actions of the "moderates" than is Tancredo.

For Delay and Tancredo, whose differences are far outweighed by their political common ground, the most pressing matter is to maintain the party according to conservative principle rather than allowing the "centrists" to reinvent it in the image of the Democrats.

[spodefly]

Little else of GOP principles or goals can be regarded as significant in any way, as long the party remains indifferent to the invasion of the nation's borders by a flood of illegal immigrants who, as soon as they are able to do so, will vote against such things.

BUMP

[garandgal]

Funny, I don't feel swamped.

Sorry...LOL! I meant it as "outnumbered"...you are, of course, as astute as usual.

[Reagan Man]

;^)

[k2blader]

Hiding under the cloak of a grossly distorted rendition of Ronald Reagan's "Eleventh Commandment" ("Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican"), the Tuesday Group is now expressing concern that party conservatives are finally making efforts to strike back.

Since hearing about it, I've wondered about this "11th Commandment". Surely it can't be as simplistic as it sounds. Would President Reagan not have spoken out against Republican-backed limitation of free speech (CFR) and hefty increases in taxpayer-funded welfare (Medicare prescription drugs)?

Liberal Republicans (aka. RINOs) should not have a voice in the GOP political agenda. Period.

That'd be nice.

Conservatives constitute a majority of the GOP base. The party platform is based on a conservative agenda.

I do like to hope so, but sometimes it's hard to tell when browsing FR...

[Cultural Jihad]

Looks like you have a spare moment to document the 'endless welfare payouts' which undocumented immigrants are getting in Colorado, if you can.

[GvMeLbty]

If I am not mistaken the Senator Bob Dole resurrected the so called "assault weapons ban" in the middle of the night. I remember watching it happen on c-span. The neo-cons and rinos are not friends of liberty any more that democrat-socialists are. Ashcroft is pushing the "Patriot Act II" which is a liberty destroying monster that will drive yet another nail in the coffin of our Republic. Your liberties are not safe as long as congress is in session.

[texastoo]

Let us not forget the social security agreement that Bush and Mexico signed last Tuesday. Bush is putting his own wedges in his campaign by giving American social security to Mexico. This will be a big issue in the election.

[unsycophant]

Tancredo: But it is they (corporations) who are calling the shots in Congress and open borders means cheap labor.

His letter hardly contains The Truth. It merely contains some details that he hopes will scare women and children and unemployed men into sending him fifty bucks.

Corporations may be calling many of the shots with Congress (which I doubt), but it's not because they're hiring illegal immigrants who work for next to nothing. It's not worth the time or trouble for them to do.

Mr. Tancredo's argument also includes how illegals are taking away cheap jobs that should rightly go to Americans(!!). Cheap, low-paying jobs that should go to Americans? I thought the bad corporations were off-shoring all the cheapy jobs to exotic places like India and Idaho. Sheesh. What planet has Tom been on, anyway?

[BigSkyFreeper]

Liberal Republicans (aka.RINOs) should not have a voice in the GOP political agenda. Period.

Who died and made you emperor? That's the same philosophy on the hardcore left. Unlike you, I believe anyone who is under the GOP tent should have their say in the GOP political agenda, or rather, the whole arena of ideas, that's precisely why we have elections.

You're logic suggests that for example, blacks who vote Democrat should just shut up, continue to be enslaved, and tow the line. It's preposterous.

Nobody should be told to shut up. That's Communism, not America.

[garandgal]

I DO know, as has been weatherproofing in the past, that Americans support people with strongly held conservative convictions...who aren't afraid to say so.

Hahaha! I just re-read the last paragraph of my post. I see the spell-check changed well-proven to "weatherproofing." Of all the weird things to change it to! Obviously, I MEANT well-proven.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Mr. Tancredo's argument also includes how illegals are taking away cheap jobs that should rightly go to Americans(!!). Cheap, low-paying jobs that should go to Americans? I thought the bad corporations were off-shoring all the cheapy jobs to exotic places like India and Idaho. Sheesh. What planet has Tom been on, anyway?

What planet are you on? Or do you even know where your at? Idaho is in AMERICA!

[spodefly]

Don't sit and take this crap, Reagan Man. Call on the posse of xenophobic border-wedgies when liberal Republicans try to pound the common sense out of you.

Xenophobic border-wedgie, reporting as ordered.

After reading the cogent and inspired reply's of the 'undocumented worker' apologists, I have changed my mind. I now support the uncontrolled immigration of all 6 billion of the world's people into the endless expanse of the US. They will all be great neighbors, and we will all live happily ever after, with diversity and social services for all provided by the warm and loving embrace of the federal leviathon. Anyone that thinks any differently is a xenophobic, racist, and probably wants to drive an armoured bulldozer through the loving heart of Conservative values, like the Me-ocrats they are.

[Reagan Man]

The famous slogan attributed to Ronald Reagan --- the 11th commandment, 'thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican' --- didn't come from Reagan. It was created by California state Republican chairman, Gaylord Parkinson back in the 1960`s. And Reagan never meant for it to apply to liberals, Democrats, or the contemporary political animal known as, a RINO.

Some people around FR find it objectionable when other folk disagree with them and/or disagree with PresBush on any issues. So they throw a temper tandrum and show they're no better then the leftwings worst offenders. Par for the course.

The objective of conservatism is to triumph over liberalism. And I firmly believe that remains the goal of FR and JimRob. Even though at times, its hard to tell.

[Reagan Man]

>>>Who died and made you emperor?

No one. It's a free country and I'll speak my mind. Liberalism has no place in the Republican Party. In fact, that's what FR is all about. This website opposes al forms of liberalism. So when I say, Liberal Republicans (aka.RINOs) should not have a voice in the GOP political agenda, I base that on the fundamental philosophy of the GOP's conservative party platform.

Big tent only goes so far. When Ronald Reagan was appealing to Democrats back in 1980 and 1984, he was appealing to conservative Democrats, not liberal Democrats.

>>>You're logic suggests that for example, blacks who vote Democrat should just shut up, continue to be enslaved, and tow the line. It's preposterous.

I think this entire statement is preposterous and ridiculous.

>>>Nobody should be told to shut up. That's Communism, not America.

American liberals are this nations incarantion of communists. They should be engaged head on in the political arenas of ideas. Bottomline. Liberals have no place in the GOP.

[Once-Ler]

1. Can't you give Dubya any credit on AA? Nothing? CNN criticizes him.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/01/15/bush.affirmativeaction/

NPR does.

http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=923224

Time.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/story/0,9171,1101030127-409553,00.html

CBS.

http://rds.yahoo.com/S=2766679/K=affirmative+action+bush/v=2/SID=e/TID=YS42_26/l=WS1/R=6/H=0/*-http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/01/11/politics/main536148.shtml

They all think Dubya is a slave trader...you see no difference. I'm sorry if my point was vague...I'll try again...O'Connor was nominated by Reagan. Most Conservatives point to Reagan as the best President ever. You are judging today's Republican party on a Reagan nominee from 25 years ago. I was 16 in 1981. O'Connor is not a debatable point for me. She is fact of life...get over it already.

2. On defense Bush is much better than Kerry or any 'rat. I feel no need to debate this further. You are nitpicking and any 'rat President will destroy our military just as Clinton, and Carter did. End of subject. One more point for my side.

3. The liberal 'rats who run DC don't want gun rights. Why should Dubya fight with citizens of DC?

4. There are not 1.5 million clones a year. Let's fight the battles we can win. There are children 9 months old getting there skulls vacuumed out. No other President has been able to stop it. I'll give you a very apt metaphore to describe today's right fringe. My wife wants me to build a deck on my house. Dubya has passed a law that will be the framewok for future arguments against abortion. He has read the blueprints, bought the materials, and built the base. You are still measuring the size of the nails. No Republican will ever be conservative enough for you. So stay home in November and be your own worst enemy.

[Jim Robinson]

"Team America," a political action committee originally founded by Tancredo, worked to unseat Representative Chris Cannon, a liberal Republican from Utah..."

Cannon a liberal Republican?

Representative Chris CANNON (R)
3rd Congressional District, Utah
Republican, Years of Service: 7

ACU Ratings for Representative CANNON:
Year 2003	88
Year 2002	95
Lifetime	96

2003 Congressional Vote Breakdown:

• Budget Reform. H. Res. 5 (Roll Call 3)
  2003-01-07
  This resolution would have stopped the government from using "dynamic scoring" of the budget. Static scoring assumes taxpayer behavior will not change if taxes are cut. Dynamic scoring assumes tax cuts produced economic growth, which produced increases in tax revenue. ACU supports dynamic scoring and opposed the resolution. It was defeated 200-225 on 7 January 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 200-225
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Ban on Human Cloning. HR 534 (Roll Call 37)
  2003-02-27
  This "compromise" amendment would have allowed cloning of human embryos to initiate a pregnancy. ACU opposed the amendment. It was rejected174-231 on 27 February 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 174-231
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Medical Malpractice Reform. HR 5 (Roll Call 64)
  2003-03-13
  This bill imposed reasonable limits on attorneys' fees and punitive damages in medical malpractice cases. ACU supported the bill. It passed 229-196 on 13 March 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 229-196
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Gun Manufacturer Liability. HR 1036 (Roll Call 122)
  2003-04-09
  This amendment would have allowed negligence lawsuits against gun manufacturers, sellers and trade associations when criminals used firearms illegally. ACU opposed the amendment. It was defeated 144-280 on 9 April 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 144-280
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Arctic Energy Development. HR 6 (Roll Call 135)
  2003-04-10
  This amendment to the energy bill would have prohibited opening up needed domestic energy supplies on a tiny area in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. ACU opposed the amendment. It was defeated 197-228 on 10 April 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 197-228
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Forest Management. HR 1904 (Roll Call 200)
  2003-05-20
  This legislation allows the Forest Service to more aggressively thin forests to lower risks of wildfires, diseases and insect infestations. ACU supported the bill. It passed 256-170 on 20 May 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 256-170
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Military Abortions. HR 1588 (Roll Call 215)
  2003-05-22
  The House defeated this measure to allow abortions to be performed in U.S. military hospitals at taxpayers expense. ACU opposed the amendment. It was defeated 201-227 on 22 May 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 201-227
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Class Action Lawsuit Reform. HR 1115 (Roll Call 272)
  2003-06-12
  This bill would move many national class-action lawsuits out of local state courts into federal courts and stop the "court shopping" that costs consumers millions and enriches trial lawyers. ACU supported the bill. It passed 253-170 on 12 June 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 253-170
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• "Death Tax" Repeal. HR 8 (Roll Call 288)
  2003-06-18
  This measure would make permanent the temporary repeal of the death tax on family inheritances and businesses passed in 2001. ACU supported the bill. It passed 264-163 on 18 June 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 264-163
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Small Business Health Plans. HR 660 (Roll Call 290)
  2003-06-19
  The House agreed to take up a bill allowing small companies to band together and buy low-cost insurance for employees. ACU supported this effort, which passed 224-199 on 19 June 2003. (Note: Once this procedural move was adopted, many members switched their votes to pass the actual bill. ACU has rated the procedural vote as showing members' true position.)
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 224-199
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Savings Accounts. HR 2596 (Roll Call 328)
  2003-06-26
  This bill would allow individuals to deduct from their taxable income the cost of medical savings accounts designed to cover routine medical costs. ACU supported the measure. It passed 237-191 on 26 June 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 237-191
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• International Abortions. HR 1950 (Roll Call 362
  2003-07-15
  This bill would maintain the long-standing ban on using taxpayer funds for international population organizations that promote abortion. ACU supported this amendment. It was adopted 216-211 on 15 July 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 216-211
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• United Nations Funding. HR 1950 (Roll Call 365)
  2003-07-15
  This amendment would have capped U.S. contributions to the U.N. at no more than any other permanent member of the Security Council. ACU supported this amendment. It was defeated 187-237 on 15 July 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 187-237
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Arts Funding. HR 2691 (Roll Call 376)
  2003-07-17
  This bill increased taxpayer funding of the National Endowment for the Arts. ACU opposed taxpayer subsidies for artistic endeavors and the government control of the arts. The bill passed 225-200 on 17 July 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 225-200
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Pledge of Allegiance. HR 2799 (Roll Call 406)
  2003-07-22
  In the wake of the 9th Circuit Court ruling that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional, the House adopted a resolution supporting the saying of the Pledge in schools. ACU supported the measure. It passed 307-119 on 22 July 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 307-119
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Media Ownership. HR 2799 (Roll Call 407)
  2003-07-22
  This amendment would have established strict limits on radio and television licenses and increased the power of the federal government over broadcast media. ACU opposed the amendment. It was defeated 174-254 on 22 July 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 174-254
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Free Trade. HR 2738 (Roll Call 436)
  2003-07-24
  This measure would remove trade barriers between the United States and Chile, reducing prices and expanding choices for American consumers. ACU supported the agreement. It passed 270-156 on 24 July 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 270-156
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Federalization of Local Elections. HR 2989 (Roll Call 471)
  2003-09-04
  This amendment would have increased the power of the federal government over the conduct of local elections. ACU strongly opposed the trend toward federal control of elections. The amendment failed 186-228 on 4 September 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 186-228
  
  This Representative voted: Absent
  
  

• Cuba Travel Ban. HR 2989 (Roll Call 483)
  2003-09-09
  This measure would have lifted the ban on travel to Communist Cuba by U.S. citizens. ACU opposed the amendment. It passed 227-188 on 9 September 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 227-188
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Private Sector Competition in Government Services. HR 2989 (Roll Call 486)
  2003-09-09
  This amendment would have blocked federal agencies from outsourcing functions that could be performed better by private sector contractors. ACU opposed this measure. It was rejected 205-211 on 9 September 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 205-211
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• School Choice. HR 2765 (Roll Call 490)
  2003-09-09
  This bill authorized a low-income school voucher program in the District of Columbia. ACU supported the program. It was adopted 209-208 on 9 September 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 209-208
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• "Partial-Birth" Abortion Ban. S. 3 (Roll Call 530)
  2003-10-02
  This bill would ban "partial-birth" abortion, a procedure in which the baby is almost completely delivered, then killed. ACU supported the bill. It passed 281-142 on 2 October 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 281-142
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Intelligence Activities. HR 2417 (Roll Call 649)
  2003-11-20
  This measure authorized spending for intelligence-related activities. ACU opposed the bill due to civil liberties concerns involving the USA PATRIOT Act. The bill passed 264-163 on 20 November 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 264-163
  
  This Representative voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. HR 1 (Roll Call 669)
  2003-11-21
  The Medicare prescription drug benefit bill marked the greatest expansion of a federal program in almost 40 years. The $400 billion bill will add trillions to the unfunded liability of Medicare and cause millions of seniors to lose their current drug coverage. The bill contained a "health savings account" provision favored by ACU (see #10), but on balance it could not be justified on conservative principles. ACU opposed it so strongly that the vote is double-weighted in this rating. It was adopted 220-215 on 21 November 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 220-215
  
  This Representative voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

Representative Thomas TANCREDO (R)
6th Congressional District, Colorado
Republican, Years of Service: 5

ACU Ratings for Representative TANCREDO:
Year 2003	92
Year 2002	100
Lifetime	97

2003 Congressional Vote Breakdown:

• Budget Reform. H. Res. 5 (Roll Call 3)
  2003-01-07
  This resolution would have stopped the government from using "dynamic scoring" of the budget. Static scoring assumes taxpayer behavior will not change if taxes are cut. Dynamic scoring assumes tax cuts produced economic growth, which produced increases in tax revenue. ACU supports dynamic scoring and opposed the resolution. It was defeated 200-225 on 7 January 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 200-225
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Ban on Human Cloning. HR 534 (Roll Call 37)
  2003-02-27
  This "compromise" amendment would have allowed cloning of human embryos to initiate a pregnancy. ACU opposed the amendment. It was rejected174-231 on 27 February 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 174-231
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Medical Malpractice Reform. HR 5 (Roll Call 64)
  2003-03-13
  This bill imposed reasonable limits on attorneys' fees and punitive damages in medical malpractice cases. ACU supported the bill. It passed 229-196 on 13 March 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 229-196
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Gun Manufacturer Liability. HR 1036 (Roll Call 122)
  2003-04-09
  This amendment would have allowed negligence lawsuits against gun manufacturers, sellers and trade associations when criminals used firearms illegally. ACU opposed the amendment. It was defeated 144-280 on 9 April 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 144-280
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Arctic Energy Development. HR 6 (Roll Call 135)
  2003-04-10
  This amendment to the energy bill would have prohibited opening up needed domestic energy supplies on a tiny area in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. ACU opposed the amendment. It was defeated 197-228 on 10 April 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 197-228
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Forest Management. HR 1904 (Roll Call 200)
  2003-05-20
  This legislation allows the Forest Service to more aggressively thin forests to lower risks of wildfires, diseases and insect infestations. ACU supported the bill. It passed 256-170 on 20 May 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 256-170
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Military Abortions. HR 1588 (Roll Call 215)
  2003-05-22
  The House defeated this measure to allow abortions to be performed in U.S. military hospitals at taxpayers expense. ACU opposed the amendment. It was defeated 201-227 on 22 May 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 201-227
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Class Action Lawsuit Reform. HR 1115 (Roll Call 272)
  2003-06-12
  This bill would move many national class-action lawsuits out of local state courts into federal courts and stop the "court shopping" that costs consumers millions and enriches trial lawyers. ACU supported the bill. It passed 253-170 on 12 June 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 253-170
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• "Death Tax" Repeal. HR 8 (Roll Call 288)
  2003-06-18
  This measure would make permanent the temporary repeal of the death tax on family inheritances and businesses passed in 2001. ACU supported the bill. It passed 264-163 on 18 June 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 264-163
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Small Business Health Plans. HR 660 (Roll Call 290)
  2003-06-19
  The House agreed to take up a bill allowing small companies to band together and buy low-cost insurance for employees. ACU supported this effort, which passed 224-199 on 19 June 2003. (Note: Once this procedural move was adopted, many members switched their votes to pass the actual bill. ACU has rated the procedural vote as showing members' true position.)
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 224-199
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Savings Accounts. HR 2596 (Roll Call 328)
  2003-06-26
  This bill would allow individuals to deduct from their taxable income the cost of medical savings accounts designed to cover routine medical costs. ACU supported the measure. It passed 237-191 on 26 June 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 237-191
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• International Abortions. HR 1950 (Roll Call 362
  2003-07-15
  This bill would maintain the long-standing ban on using taxpayer funds for international population organizations that promote abortion. ACU supported this amendment. It was adopted 216-211 on 15 July 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 216-211
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• United Nations Funding. HR 1950 (Roll Call 365)
  2003-07-15
  This amendment would have capped U.S. contributions to the U.N. at no more than any other permanent member of the Security Council. ACU supported this amendment. It was defeated 187-237 on 15 July 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 187-237
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Arts Funding. HR 2691 (Roll Call 376)
  2003-07-17
  This bill increased taxpayer funding of the National Endowment for the Arts. ACU opposed taxpayer subsidies for artistic endeavors and the government control of the arts. The bill passed 225-200 on 17 July 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 225-200
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Pledge of Allegiance. HR 2799 (Roll Call 406)
  2003-07-22
  In the wake of the 9th Circuit Court ruling that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional, the House adopted a resolution supporting the saying of the Pledge in schools. ACU supported the measure. It passed 307-119 on 22 July 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 307-119
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Media Ownership. HR 2799 (Roll Call 407)
  2003-07-22
  This amendment would have established strict limits on radio and television licenses and increased the power of the federal government over broadcast media. ACU opposed the amendment. It was defeated 174-254 on 22 July 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 174-254
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Free Trade. HR 2738 (Roll Call 436)
  2003-07-24
  This measure would remove trade barriers between the United States and Chile, reducing prices and expanding choices for American consumers. ACU supported the agreement. It passed 270-156 on 24 July 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 270-156
  
  This Representative voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Federalization of Local Elections. HR 2989 (Roll Call 471)
  2003-09-04
  This amendment would have increased the power of the federal government over the conduct of local elections. ACU strongly opposed the trend toward federal control of elections. The amendment failed 186-228 on 4 September 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 186-228
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Cuba Travel Ban. HR 2989 (Roll Call 483)
  2003-09-09
  This measure would have lifted the ban on travel to Communist Cuba by U.S. citizens. ACU opposed the amendment. It passed 227-188 on 9 September 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 227-188
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Private Sector Competition in Government Services. HR 2989 (Roll Call 486)
  2003-09-09
  This amendment would have blocked federal agencies from outsourcing functions that could be performed better by private sector contractors. ACU opposed this measure. It was rejected 205-211 on 9 September 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 205-211
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• School Choice. HR 2765 (Roll Call 490)
  2003-09-09
  This bill authorized a low-income school voucher program in the District of Columbia. ACU supported the program. It was adopted 209-208 on 9 September 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 209-208
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• "Partial-Birth" Abortion Ban. S. 3 (Roll Call 530)
  2003-10-02
  This bill would ban "partial-birth" abortion, a procedure in which the baby is almost completely delivered, then killed. ACU supported the bill. It passed 281-142 on 2 October 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 281-142
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Intelligence Activities. HR 2417 (Roll Call 649)
  2003-11-20
  This measure authorized spending for intelligence-related activities. ACU opposed the bill due to civil liberties concerns involving the USA PATRIOT Act. The bill passed 264-163 on 20 November 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 264-163
  
  This Representative voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. HR 1 (Roll Call 669)
  2003-11-21
  The Medicare prescription drug benefit bill marked the greatest expansion of a federal program in almost 40 years. The $400 billion bill will add trillions to the unfunded liability of Medicare and cause millions of seniors to lose their current drug coverage. The bill contained a "health savings account" provision favored by ACU (see #10), but on balance it could not be justified on conservative principles. ACU opposed it so strongly that the vote is double-weighted in this rating. It was adopted 220-215 on 21 November 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 220-215
  
  This Representative voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

[LloydofDSS]

You really don't have to "close the borders" to control immigration. All you have to do is make it easy for employers to log in to a website and verify thet the person standing in front of them is a citizen. By a photo and a SS number. The employer can print out the report and file it. If INS ever checks the employer he will have the report on file. No ID cards, No green cards, just an on-line database of photos.

Then if any business breaks this law, throw the book at them.

Simple.

Of course I would require schools and welfare agencies to perform the same little task. If any bureaucrat is caught violating this rule, they should be fired on the spot.

[Reagan Man]

Looks like Cannon's got a solid conservative voting record. My guess would be Cannon supports amnesty for illegals and is therefore at odds with Tom Tancredo's position. A position that is supported by the vast majority of American's.

[Once-Ler]

If I am not mistaken the Senator Bob Dole resurrected the so called "assault weapons ban" in the middle of the night.

You are mistaken the ban passed in 1994 BEFORE the Republican take over. In 1996 the House tried to repeal it but was unsuccessful.

I remember watching it happen on c-span.

I'll assume you were drunk and not insane.

The neo-cons and rinos are not friends of liberty any more that democrat-socialists are. Ashcroft is pushing the "Patriot Act II" which is a liberty destroying monster that will drive yet another nail in the coffin of our Republic. Your liberties are not safe as long as congress is in session.

The rest of your post shows you to be unworthy of response.

[Reagan Man]

Technology may hold part of the answer. But I believe sealing the borders shut and using the military to accomplish that goal, is a major part of the equation to solving the illegal immigration problem.