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G.I. Bill Expansion (5/8/08)
In light of the increasing attention over proposals to increase GI benefits and the fact that some version—most likely H.R. 5740, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act—is set to be included in the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 war funding supplemental, the RSC has prepared the this Policy Brief to provide Members and staff with relevant information.
Rebutting Democrats on Health Savings Accounts (5/5/08)
The RSC prepared this Policy Brief rebutting Democrat interpretations of a recent report on enrollment and use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
RSC Policy Brief: Vote Fraud in 2008 (5/5/08)
This RSC Policy Brief (updated May 5, 2008) features a running list of examples of vote fraud reported in the media and will highlight the legislative proposals introduced to increase—or arguably to decrease in some cases—the integrity of elections nationwide.
Who Are the Uninsured? (4/28/08)
As part of this week’s activities for “Cover the Uninsured Week,” the RSC has prepared this Policy Brief analyzing various segments of the population lacking health insurance coverage.
Spending Limit Amendment (4/21/08)
Last week, the RSC debuted its Spending Limit Amendment, which would amend the U.S. Constitution to prevent federal spending from growing faster than inflation.
To read a one-page summary of the amendment, click here.
To read a “Dear Colleague” letter about the amendment, click here.
To read a question-and-answer document about the amendment, click here.
To read the text of the amendment, click here.
Understanding the Housing Market (4/21/08)
In light of the increasing concerns over the state of housing in America, the RSC prepared this Policy Brief analyzing the current housing market and legislative responses.
High-Skilled Immigration Letter (4/21/08)
Last week, the RSC sent this open letter to House leadership, urging them to decouple the legal immigration issue from the illegal immigration issue and soon bring a bill to the House floor increasing temporary, legal, high-skilled immigration to the United States.
Law of the Sea Treaty Letter (4/21/08)
Last week, the RSC sent this open letter to the U.S. Senate, urging senators to reject the Law of the Sea Treaty.
Student Loan Legislation (4/14/08)
In light of the markup of H.R. 5715 in the Education and Labor Committee, this Policy Brief outlines initial concerns regarding Chairman Miller’s proposal to ensure the continued availability of student financial assistance (H.R. 5715), and the effects that previous legislation has had on the loan market.
Proposed HSA Restrictions (4/8/08)
In light of Wednesday’s announced House Ways and Means Committee markup, and potential legislative language designed to place additional restrictions on the operation of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), the RSC has prepared this Policy Brief analyzing this issue.
Tax Day Cometh (4/7/08)
With Tax Day (April 15th) looming, this “Tax Facts” information might be useful in comprehending the growing burden of complying with the federal tax code.
Impending Tax Increases (4/4/08)
The RSC recently updated its annual document showing the tax increases that will automatically occur unless Congress takes action. To read the up-to-date list of impending tax increases, click here.
Medicaid and the States (4/2/08)
In light of potential regulatory and legislative actions designed to make adjustments to Medicaid’s joint state-federal financing mechanism, the RSC has prepared this Policy Brief analyzing several elements of the various policy proposals.
Medicare's Impending Insolvency (3/31/08)
Last week, the Trustees for Medicare and Social Security issued their annual report detailing the worsening financial condition of both entitlement programs. To read the statement from RSC Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) on this troubling report, click here.
For more details on the impending insolvency of Medicare, read this RSC Policy Brief. Also, see this RSC Policy Brief on the soaring costs of health care.
RSC Fiscal Reform Bills (3/10/08)
In light of the looming entitlement crisis and discretionary spending that continues to explode, the RSC prepared this Policy Brief highlighting the fiscal reform bills introduced by individual RSC Members.
Specialty Hospitals (3/7/08)
In light of the Democrat financial attack on specialty, physician-owned hospitals in last week’s mental health parity bill, the RSC prepared this Policy Brief on specialty hospitals.
PEPFAR Reauthorization (3/4/08)
After the House Foreign Affairs Committee met last week to mark-up the reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), the RSC released this policy update outlining the major changes made to the bill and issues that were not addressed during mark-up.
Farewell, Bill Buckley (3/3/08)
Numerous RSC Members released statements lamenting the passing of conservative icon William F. Buckley last week. To read statements from RSC Members, click the names below:
RSC Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX)
Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL)
Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN)
Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL), on behalf of the RSC, drafted this House resolution honoring Bill Buckley and plans to introduce it with as many co-sponsors as possible on March 4th.
Children’s Health Insurance in Bush Budget (3/3/08)
The RSC has prepared this Policy Brief analyzing proposals regarding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in President Bush’s Fiscal Year 2009 Budget.
DC Metro (3/3/08)
The RSC prepared this Policy Brief on the metro system of the National Capital Area and its dependence on federal funds.
PEPFAR Reauthorization (2/26/08)
As the House prepares to consider legislation reauthorizing the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), the RSC released this Q & A document addressing serious concerns the bill has raised from both fiscal and a pro-life perspectives.
Medicare Trigger (2/25/08)
The RSC has prepared this Policy Brief summarizing President Bush’s proposals to address the Medicare funding warning issued by the Medicare trustees, as required by the Medicare Modernization Act. RSC Chairman Hensarling (R-TX) also wrote this op-ed in The Washington Times on the looming financial crisis in Medicare.
Federal Spending Stats (2/19/08)
As Congress begins the FY 2009 budget process, the RSC prepared this one-pager with information on how much the federal government spends, what the public thinks about it, and what happens if federal spending continues on its present course.
Shadegg Retirement (2/15/08)
Last week, former RSC Chairman John Shadegg (R-AZ) announced that he would retire from Congress at the end of this year. In reaction to this unexpected announcement, 145 House Republicans signed this letter, urging him to reconsider his decision.
PEPFAR (2/11/08)
Last week, the House Foreign Affairs Committee was scheduled to mark up a bill reauthorizing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The bill raises some serious fiscal and values concerns for conservatives, which are detailed in this RSC Policy Brief.
The Administration's FY 2009 Budget Request (2/4/08)
To coincide with he release of the President’s Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request, the RSC prepared this Policy Brief which contains highlights of the proposed budget and this Policy Brief analyzing new health care spending proposals.
Economic Growth Act (1/28/08)
Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) led the RSC in introducing the Economic Growth Act (H.R. 5109), which would unleash the potential of the American economy by providing tax relief for job-creators. For more detailed information on the bill, click here and here.
End the Tax on Inflation (1/28/08)
The RSC sent this letter to the President and the Secretary of the Treasury, urging them to take regulatory action to end the capital gains tax on inflation.
RSC Policy Briefs: Medicare Funding
In light of discussions about additional Medicaid funding as part of an economic “stimulus” package, and the President’s impending release of Medicare cost-containment legislation as part of provisions in the Medicare Modernization Act, the RSC has prepared two policy briefs regarding these issues.
To read the Policy Brief on the Medicare funding warning incorporated into the Medicare Modernization Act, click here.
To read the Policy Brief on current Medicaid Funding Issues, click here.
RSC Policy Brief: The 110th Congress Is Bad for Business (12/3/07)
Since the opening minutes of the 110th Congress, business interests have been under attack. Hardly a week has gone by that a bill that would increase costs for, or regulations on, businesses has not passed the House. The RSC has prepared a non-exhaustive list of some examples of these House-passed bills (with embedded hyperlinks for more information) that would harm businesses and, therefore, employees, consumers, the stock market, and the economy as a whole.
To read RSC Chairman Jeb Hensarling's latest statement on the 100th Congress' anti-business agenda, click here.
RSC Introduces Legislation to Eliminate the AMT
The Republican Study Committee has introduced the Taxpayer Choice Act, a comprehensive, individual income tax reform initiative with two principal goals: 1) eliminating massive future tax increases by repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax; and 2) providing individuals a choice for an alternative tax system that is transparent, simple and efficient.
Unlike any other AMT reforms to date, the RSC plan will not increase taxes for ANY American. It also retains a fair and equitable distribution of federal tax burdens. In fact, if all taxpayers chose to pay taxes under the Taxpayer Choice Act, the distribution of tax burdens among income groups would remain extremely close to what it is today. Above all, this plan offers a choice: taxpayers can choose the new system or stay with the current tax code. They have the freedom to select the option that best suits their particular circumstances.
Short Summary
Detailed Summary
Q & A
Also, read Robert Novak's Washington Post Editorial Praising the Taxpayer Choice Act, this Letter from the National Taxpayers Union Endorsing the RSC's latest legislation and this Wall Street Journal op-ed by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, is support the Taxpayer Choice Act.
RSC Prepares to Fight Wasteful Spending (11/14/07)
As Congress sends President Bush appropriations conference reports that contain excessive and wasteful spending, you might want to review this RSC-generated letter, signed by a veto-proof number of House Members, promising to vote to sustain the President’s veto of any appropriations bill that contributes to total spending above the President’s request.
The “Mother of All Tax Bills” (11/5/07)
This RSC Policy Brief examines the two schools of thought—to offset or not to offset—and features a summary of what House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) referred to as the “Mother of All Tax Bills” (H.R. 3970).
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