Preventing Genetic Discrimination

For all the headlines about partisan bickering in Washington, you'd think it would actually be news when Congress does something significant without making a huge fuss about it.

The truth is, Congress does a lot and pumps out a lot of information, and despite the vastness of the blogosphere and numerous media outlets worldwide, a relatively small percentage of Congress' actions are responsible for the majority of the headlines about Congress.

For instance, did you know that Congress has already passed, and President Bush has already signed (as of this writing) 24 laws this Congress--since January? It's just that most of them are low priority pet projects such as renaming federal buildings.

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 (H.R. 493) is currently on its way to being passed into law in a similar below the radar fashion.

While this bill isn't exactly a shining example of the most open process--a lot of negotiation has been going on behind the scenes--it is, so far, an example of Congress working well.

Both sides of the life battle were prepared to gear up for the battle royale over how to handle genetic information of an individual discovered after conception and before birth. Because pro-life influences within the new majority were left to do their thing, this crisis was averted.

The bill passed 420-3. The media generally don't waste their newsmaking capital reporting on something noncontroversial.

Two things are noteworthy here, however: (1) This bill may be Exhibit A for why the new Democratic majority can be a plus. Hillary Clinton was actually the first politician at any level I heard publicly discuss genetic information as "the mother of all pre-existing conditions." (2) This also shows that there are true pro-life influences in the Democratic party.

This language hasn't been signed into law yet. We'll see what happens when the Senate tackles its version (S. 358) and if the two meet, but so far, things are going smoothly.

When all is said and done, just as Bankruptcy Reform (P.L. 109-8) was the crowning unsung accomplishment of the 109th Congress, this law may end up being one of the most significant and longest lasting laws to come out of the 110th Congress.

A Congressional Call to be Men!

H.Res. 268 - Supporting responsible fatherhood, promoting marriage, and encouraging greater involvement of fathers in the lives of their children, especially on Father's Day.

Also recognized as a call to the men of America to rise up and be men.

A necessary law: human cloning ban

S. 1036 - Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2007
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit human cloning.

Sponsor: Sen. Sam Brownback [KS]

Cosponsors:

Sen. Wayne Allard [CO]
Sen. Jim Bunning [KY]
Sen. Richard Burr [NC]
Sen. Saxby Chambliss [GA]
Sen. Tom Coburn [OK]
Sen. Bob Corker [TN]
Sen. John Cornyn [TX]
Sen. Mike Crapo [ID]
Sen. Jim DeMint [SC]
Sen. Elizabeth Dole [NC]
Sen. Pete V. Domenici [NM]
Sen. John Ensign [NV]
Sen. Michael B. Enzi [WY]
Sen. Lindsey Graham [SC]
Sen. Chuck Grassley [IA]
Sen. Chuck Hagel [NE]
Sen. James M. Inhofe [OK]
Sen. Jon Kyl [AZ]
Sen. Mary L. Landrieu [LA]
Sen. Trent Lott [MS]
Sen. Mel Martinez [FL]
Sen. John McCain [AZ]
Sen. Jeff Sessions [AL]
Sen. Craig Thomas [WY]
Sen. John Thune [SD]
Sen. David Vitter [LA]
Sen. George V. Voinovich [OH]

De-authorize, Re-authorize

From First Read today: "if Congress de-authorizes the war, then there will have to be some re-authorization to fund the remaining troops."

There's a formula for new punching bag votes!