Free Republic

(CNSNews.com) – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) would not rule out an attempt by House Democrats to further raise the estate tax above the rates set in the tax deal negotiated between President Barack Obama and Senate Republicans. Hoyer also would not say whether such an effort would come as an amendment to the tax deal or as a separate, stand-alone bill. Speaking at his weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Hoyer said there was “concern” among House Democrats over the estate tax compromise that contributed to the deal getting a “pretty cold” reception from many Democrats and some Republicans....

A Washington-based pro-family group says the Democrat-led House has cast aside the free-exercise clause of the First Amendment with its passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) (HR 3685). On Wednesday the House voted 235-184 (see roll call vote) in favor of legislation that would prohibit employment discrimination based on "actual or perceived" sexual orientation. Due to a lack of support, openly homosexual Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) withdrew an amendment that would have extended special protections to trans-gendered people and cross-dressers. Matt Barber, policy director for cultural issues at Concerned Women for America (CWA), argues the bill threatens the religious...