Christian Message Boards: Milestones and failures of the 107th Congress

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Posted by MAC (Member # 47) on :

Milestones and failures of the 107th Congress

The record of the 107th Congress, which plans to adjourn this week and end its two-year run.

Enacted into law:

$1.35 trillion, 10-year tax cut including rate reductions, larger deductions for individuals.
Economic stimulus package of business tax cuts, expanded jobless benefits.
Stronger hand for the president to negotiate trade treaties.
$40 billion for anti-terrorism and recovery from the Sept. 11 attacks, plus a second $28.9 billion package.
Resolutions authorizing President Bush to use force against terrorists abroad and against Iraq.
Creation of a Department of Homeland Security.
Stronger powers for the government to investigate terrorists inside the United States.
Grants and loans to help airlines in the aftermath of terror attacks.
equirements for federal screening of airport passengers, more federal air marshals, stronger cockpit doors.
Federally backed terrorism insurance.
Record $355 billion defense bill and $10.5 billion military construction bill for the fiscal year that started Oct. 1.
$450 billion increase in the government's debt limit to $6.4 trillion.
_$190 billion, 10-year farm bill.
Expanded student testing, federal education aid linked to performance by schools.
Some loopholes closed in campaign finance laws.
Aid to states to updated election equipment.
Yucca Mountain, Nev., to be nation's nuclear waste repository.
Passed at least one chamber of Congress but not enacted:

Stricter bankruptcy laws.
Expanded rights for patients.
Creation of prescription drug benefits for Medicare recipients.
$6 billion aid for farmers, ranchers for this year's drought.
A national energy policy with incentives for more production.
A federal budget for current fiscal year.
11 of the 13 annual spending bills for current fiscal year.
No or little progress:

Reducing the federal deficit.
Shoring up Social Security, Medicare in face of long-term solvency problems.