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A number of good bills have been sent to a subcommittee (see the 110th Congress section below)  They will probably be stuck there unless we convince our leaders to act.

President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR):

This bill, already approved by the U.S. House, is supposed to send billions of dollars into Africa to reduce the spread of HIV and provide medications to those who are already infected. However, the bill will actually flood “family planning” and population control groups with money.  They’ll use it to promote and distribute condoms and abortifacient birth control pills.  Ask your Senators to oppose and vote against S. 2731.

Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill:  This recently introduced bill would  force taxpayers to foot the bill for health insurance for the same-sex partner of federal employees.  It would also effectively invalidate the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in treating homosexual relationships as if they were a traditional marriage.  It's bill S. 2521 in the Senate and H.R. 4838 in the House. 

Police/Fire Monopoly Bargaining Bill:  This bill would ultimately force all firefighters and policemen to come under the control of unions.  Communities that currently depend on volunteer public servants could be faced with large tax hikes to pay them or simply do without their protection.

Hate Crimes Expansion UPDATE:    Senator Ted Kennedy has recently said  that he plans to drop a new bill of some kind that includes the expansion of hate crimes to include sexual orientation.  

ENDA: Matt Barber writes, "ENDA contains an extremely weak religious exemption which might partially protect some religious organizations but would leave many others — such as Bible bookstores and many Christian schools — entirely unprotected.  It would additionally crush individual business owners’ guaranteed First Amendment rights."   

Law of the Sea Treaty:   It is claimed that this bill would give the U.S. opportunity to stake claim to trade routes and natural resources in the Arctic Ocean.   In reality, it could force the U.S. to accept the decisions of a hostile international tribunal regarding these matters.   The U.S. would have one vote, the same as Cuba, in decisions regarding the open seas.   For the first time, U.S. citizens could face a global tax to fund the United Nations. 

Fairness Doctrine:     If  this gets reinstated, it would require a dissenting view to be presented on just about every issue discussed.  This would be very harmful, if not destructive, to Christian and conservative radio.   Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) has introduced a "Broadcaster Freedom Act" to prohibit its return

The Freedom of Choice Act attempts to overturn many federal, state, and local laws restricting abortion.  It is unlikely to go anywhere in 2008 with the pending threat of an immediate veto from President Bush.

Rationing of Lifesaving Treatment and Drugs Under Medicare: A bill that passed the US. House (H.R. 4) has provisions that could prevent seniors from even using their own money for the treatments and drugs they need.    National Right to Life has more details.  

110th Congress (2007-2008)                   

Watch here for information on bills and roll call votes as they develop in the new Congress. More details on all bills can be found at thomas.loc.gov 

Bills identified with VVCC are listed on the Values Voters' Contract with Congress

Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations (S. 2521, H.R. 4838)

Provides health insurance and other benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees.

Sponsors:  Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I/D-Connecticut) and Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin)  Status:  Introduced and referred to Senate committee 12/19/07; in the House and sent to a House subcommittee on 1/16/2008.

"Police / Fire Monopoly Bargaining" Bill (S. 2123)

Officially titled "The Public Safety Employer/Employment Cooperation Act"  this bill would force taxpayers to foot the bill for health insurance and other benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees   Status: Referred to committee on 10/1/07

Importance of Christmas and Christian Faith (H RES 847)

Resolution recognizing the importance of Christmas and Christians  Sponsor: Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) with 60 co-sponsorse

House Roll Call Vote:  12/11/07    372 Y  9 N   10 Present  40 Not Voting

SAVE Act (H.R. 4088)

The Secure America with Verification and Enforcement Act (SAVE Act) would add 8,000 border patrol agents and target employers with stiff penalties for hiring illegal immigrants.  Sponsor: Rep. Heath Shuler (D-North Carolina)  with 112 co-sponsors, including Duncan Hunter (R-California), Trent Franks (R-Arizona) and Tom Tancredo (R-Colorado)   Status:  Introduced 11/6/07 and sent to various committees for consideration.  Motion to discharge it from the commitees filed on 3/11/08

Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007 (H.R. 3685)

ENDA would place federal prohibition on employment discrimination based on one's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.    Sponsor: Rep.  Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts-4) and has 169 co-sponsors.  Status:  Approved by the U.S. House, 235-184, on September 7.  The bill now moves to the Senate.

House Roll Call Vote:  11/7/07    235 Y  184 N   14 NV (not voting)

Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R. 1592, S. 1105)
Originally passed in the House in 2005, this version of hate crimes legislation is worse than H.R. 254. It would broaden the definition of hate crimes to include gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, gender, and disability..  Sponsors: Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan-14); and Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) Status:  U.S. House vote to approve it on 5/3/07, the National Day of Prayer.   The Senate approved a slightly different version on 9/28, attaching it as an amendment to the defense appropriation bill

House Roll Call Vote:   5/3/07   237 Y   180 N   16 NV     

Senate Roll Call Vote:  9/28/07   60 Y   39 N   1 NV

David Ray Hate Crimes Prevention Act  (H.R. 254)
This resolution hasn't been formally posted yet.  It would expand hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation.   Sponsor: Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas).  Status:  Introduced 1/5 and under  consideration at the House Committee on the Judiciary  

Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2007 (H.R. 2905)
To prevent the FCC from reinstating the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" on radio or the internet.  Sponsor:  Rep. Mike Pence (R-Indiana) with around 100 co-sponsors.  Status: Introduced in the House 6/28/07

Judicial Conduct Act of 2007 (H.R. 2898)    VVCC

To amend Title 28 to establish standards for impeachment of justices and judges in the United States.  Sponsor: Rep. Todd Akin (R-Missouri-2)  Status:  Introduced 6/28/07 and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary

Right to Life Act (H.R. 618)
Would give equal protection under the 14th Amendment to each born and preborn human person. Sponsor:  Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-California) with 94 co-sponsors   Status:  Referred to the subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties in March.

Sanctity of Life Act of 2007 (H.R. 2597 and H.R. 1094)
Both of these bills would "provide that human life shall be deemed to exist from conception."

Sponsor: Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) with 4 co-sponsors on each bill.  Status:  H.R. 1094 was introduced in February and referred to the subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties in March.   H.R. 2597 was introduced in June and sent to the subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and intellectual property in July.

Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act  (H.R. 1063)   VVCC

To amend Title 18 of the United States Code to prohibit taking minors across state lines in circumvention of laws requiring the involvement of parents in abortion decisions.  Sponsor: Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida-18) and has 128 co-sponsors Status:  Introduced in February and referred to the Committee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties

Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act  (S. 356, H.R. 3442)   VVCC

A bill to ensure that women seeking an unborn are fully informed regarding the pain experienced by their unborn child.  Sponsors:  Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas)  and Rep. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey)  Status:  Senate version was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the House version to the subcommittee on Health.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform (S. 1638)
Officially titled the "Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2007"  Sponsor: Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.)  Co-sponsor: Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania)  Status: Lost in a cloture vote on 6/28/07

Freedom of Choice Act  (S. 1173, H.R. 1964)
A bill to "to protect, consistent with Roe v. Wade, a woman's freedom to choose to bear a child or terminate a pregnancy, and for other purposes."  Sponsors: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-New York-8)  Status:  Introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate 4/19/07

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R. 3, S. 5) 
This bill would expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.   A vote was also taken, but failed, that would have blocked the research from any facility, that engages in cloning.  Title: To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research.  H.R. 3 Sponsor: Diana DeGette (D-Colorado) with 211 co-sponsors   H.R. 3 Status:  The bill passed the U.S. House   S. 5 Sponsors: Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa).  S. 5 Status:  Passed by the Senate in May and the House in June.  Vetoed by President Bush on 6/10/07

Senate Roll Call Vote on S. 5       4/11/07    63 Y   34 N   3 NV
House Roll Call Vote on S.5          6/7/07    247 Y  176 N   10 NV

House Roll Call Vote on H.R. 3     1/11/07    253 Y  174 N     8 NV
Anti-Cloning Roll Call Vote           1/11/07   189 Y   238 N    8 NV

The HOPE Act  (S. 30)
"Hope Offered through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research Act"   Title: A bill to intensify research to derive human pluripotent stem cell lines. Sponsors: Norm Coleman (R-Minnesota) and  Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia)  Status: Introduced 3/29/07 and placed under consideration 4/10/07.

Alter. Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act  (H.R. 322)
Title: To derive human pluripotent stem cell lines using techniques that do not harm human embryos.   Sponsor: Roscoe Bartlett (R-Maryland) with 28 co-sponsors (24 Republicans and 4 Democrats)  Status:  Introduced 1/9 and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Reform of Congressional Lobbying (S. 1, H.R. 4682)
Title:   A bill to provide greater transparency in the legislative process   Sponsor:  Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada)   with 17 co-sponsors   Status: Passed 96-2 on Jan. 18 as amended, including one by Robert Bennett (R-Utah) that strikes reporting requirements for grassroots lobbying.  H.R. 4682 is the companion bill to be introduced in the U.S. House.  In the 96-2 roll call vote,  NO  votes were cast by Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma).   Not voting were Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) and the hospitalized Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) 

Senate Roll Call Vote     1/18/07  96 Y  2 N   2 NV

Bennett Amendment Roll Call Vote    1/18/07   55 Y  43 N  2 NV

Executive Branch Reform Act of 2007  (H.R. 984)
Would require thousands of Executive Branch officials to file quarterly reports listing every letter, e-mail, fax, and verbal communication that they receive from any “private party” in which the communicator “seeks to influence official action by any officer or employee of the executive branch of the United States.”  The bill defines “private party” as any person other than another government official or staff person.  Sponsors: Harry Waxman (D-California-30) and Tom Davis (R-Virginia-11)

Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2007  (H.R. 1246)
Would  replace the current policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, referred to as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation Sponsor: Martin Meehan (D-Massachusetts-5)   Status:  Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary 2/28/07

Marriage Protection Act of 2007  (H.R. 724)   VVCC
To amend title 28, United States Code, to limit Federal court jurisdiction over questions under the Defense of Marriage Act.  Sponsor:  Dan Burton (R-Indiana-5).  Status:  Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary Jan. 30

Public Expressions of Religion Act of 2007  (H.R. 725, S. 415)  VVCC
Veterans' Memorials, Boy Scouts, Public Seals, and Other Public Expressions of Religion Protection Act of 2007    OFFICIAL TITLE AS INTRODUCED: To amend the Revised Statutes of the United States to prevent the use of the legal system in a manner that extorts money from State and local governments, and the Federal Government, and inhibits such governments' constitutional actions under the first, tenth, and fourteenth amendments.  Sponsors:  Dan Burton (R-Indiana-5) and Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) 

Medicare Prescription Drug  Price Negotiation Act  (H.R. 4)
A bill that could lead to rationing of lifesaving treatment and drugs under Medicare.  Sponsor: John Dingell (D-Michigan-15)   Status: Passed the House and received in the Senate.  

House Roll Call Vote  1/12/2007    255 Y  170 N   10 NV

Pledge Protection Act of 2007 (H.R. 699)  VVCC
This bill would protect the pledge from any action by federal court to strip the words "under God" or to ban its use completely anywhere.  Title: To amend title 28, United States Code, with respect to the jurisdiction of Federal courts over certain cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance.  Sponsor:  Todd Akin (R-Missouri-2) with 61 co-sponsors  Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary 1/29/07

Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (S. 350)
This bill would prohibit health care providers from being penalized for declining to participate in providing abortions.  Sponsor: David Vitter (R-Louisiana)  Status: Referred to Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on 1/22/07

Informed Choice Act - Aid for Ultrasound Machines (H.R.223)
Title: To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to nonprofit tax-exempt organizations for the purchase of ultrasound equipment to provide free examinations to pregnant women needing such services, and for other purposes.  Sponsor: Cliff Stearns (R-Florida)  Status:  Introduced 1/4 and referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Daryl Metcalfe, a state representative in Pennsylvania, has started a coalition that now includes legislators from 30 states.  It's called State Legislators for Legal Immigration.  It aims to protect American lives, personal liberties, property and jobs from the clear and present dangers of Illegal immigration.  Encourage your state representative to join the coalition!

California:  Bill Would Outlaw Spanking, Other Parental Discipline

Colorado:  Proposal Would Define Personhood in State Constitution

Georgia:  Personhood Amendment Vote Expected Soon in Legislature

Massachusetts:  LIst of Good and Bad '08 Bills Regarding Homosexuality

Oregon:  Hate Crimes Law with no exception for churches,

Pennsylvania:  New Legislative Effort for State Marriage Amendment

Tennessee:  Senate Approves Strong Life Amendment

Wisconsin: Senate Bill 77 Would Restrict Free Speech

Jessica's Law: Where does your state stand on dealing with sex offenders?

Link here to pages on the websites of various state organizations that provide details on bills before state legislatures:

Alabama Citizens for Life    Christian Action Alabama

Family Council of Arkansas

The Center for Arizona Policy

California Family Council's Legislative Action Center

Christian Coalition of Colorado

Florida Family Policy Council

Georgia Family Council     Georgia Right to Life

Hawaii Family Forum

Illinois Family Institute    Illinois Right to Life

Indiana Right to Life - How Did They Vote?    AFA of Indiana

Iowa Christian Alliance

Kansans for Life - Click on "Legislation"

Kentucky Right to Life Assoc.     Family Foundation of Kentucky

Kentucky Votes from the Bluegrass Institute

Louisiana Family Forum   

Maryland Right to Life

Michigan Family Forum Legislative Update

Michigan Votes from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy

Minnesota Votes from the Minnesota Family Council

Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life

Montana Family Foundation - Bill Watch

Nevada Families Eagle Forum

New Hampshire - Cornerstone Policy Research

New Jersey Family Policy Council - Legislative Watch

New Jersey Right to Life - Legislative Action Center

New York State Right to Life

North Carolina Right to Life - Legislative Action Center

North Dakota Family Alliance

Ohio and Florida - American Policy Roundtable

Oregon BillWatch by Stronger Families

Pennsylvania Family Institute

Rhode Island Right to Life

South Carolina - Palmetto Family Alliance

Texas - Free Market Foundatione

Utah Votes      Utah Eagle Forum

Virginia - The Family Foundation

Christian Coalition of Washington Statewww.radio

Washington State - Faith and Freedom Network

Washington Votes from Washington Policy Center

West Virginia Family Foundation    W.V. LifeGauge 

Wisconsin Capitol Watch     Wisconsin Right to Life

Legislative Session Watch - Wisconsin Family Council

Right to Life of Wyoming

Link to our Coast2Coast pages and the legislatures for all 50 States

The State of Marriage                        

 

Marriage Amendments		Civil Unions
State Statutes / DOMAs		"Same-sex" Marriage
No Protection

*Note: Vermont has a statute to protect marriage, but has same-sex civil unions; Connecticut has no statutory protection

Pending Legislation:  Minnesota ('08), Indiana ('08), Massachusetts ('09), Pennsylvania ('09)

Pending Initiatives: California ('08), Florida ('08) - pending certification of collected signatures, marriage will be on the ballot in Florida in Nov. 2008

109th Congress (2005-2006)                   

Check the roll call votes to see how your Senators & Representatives voted!

Public Expression of Religion Act    (H.R. 2679, S. 3696)   
This bill would help to "de-fund the war on Christmas" (and Christians).  It would stop the ACLU and other groups from collecting legal fees from taxpayers whenever they win religious cases.  Title: A bill to amend the Revised Statutes of the United States to prevent the use of the legal system in a manner that extorts money from State and local governments, and the Federal Government, and inhibits such governments' constitutional actions under the first, tenth, and fourteenth amendments.    Primary Sponsor: Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas)

House Roll Call Vote  9/26/06     244 Y   173 N   15 NV

The bill died since there was no vote taken in the Senate.

Pledge Protection Act  (H.R. 2389, S. 1046)
This bill would block federal courts from having any jurisdiction over any case involving the Pledge of Allegiance.   Congress has a right to limit the jurisdiction of the courts based on Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution   Title: A bill to amend title 28, United States Code, with respect to the jurisdiction of Federal courts over certain cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance.  Primary Sponsor: Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona)

House Roll Call Vote 7/19/06   260 Y  167 N    5 NV

The bill died due to the lack of any vote by the U.S. Senate.

Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2006  (H.R. 6099, S. 51)
This bill would require mothers who have been expecting for 20 weeks or more to be informed of the serious pain that their unborn children may feel as they are being aborted.   This measure is supported by Concerned Women for America, National Right to Life, Focus on the Family Action, and the Family Research Council.   Some others, such as American Life League and Colorado Right to Life, oppose it because it doesn't specifically bring an end to any abortions.  

Title: To ensure that women seeking an abortion are fully informed regarding the pain experienced by their unborn child.   Sponsor: Rep. Chris Smith [R-New Jersey-4] 

House Roll Call Vote     250 Y    162 N    20 NV
Failed because it didn't get the 2/3rds House vote required under suspended rules 

Child Custody Protection Act (S. 403)  /  

Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (H.R. 748)
This bill would require a parent to give consent before a teenage daughter can be taken across state lines to have an abortion performed.  Similar bills have passed in the House and Senate, but the Democrats invoked cloture to prevent a conference committee from being formed to resolve the differences.

Senate Roll Call Vote    7/25/06    65 Y   34 N   1 NV
House Roll Call Vote   9/26/06   264 Y  153 N  15 NV  (on S. 403)
House Roll Call Vote   4/27/05   270 Y  157 N   7 NV  (on H.R. 748)

Marriage Protection Amendment  (H.J. Res. 88, S.J. Res. 1)
This bill proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.  It received a majority of votes, but amendments require a 2/3rds vote in both the Senate and House.  Therefore, it did not pass.

Senate Roll Call Vote  6/7/06   49 Y  48 N  3 not voting
House Roll Call Vote  7/18/06  236 Y 187 N  1 vote of present

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act  (H.R. 810)
This bill would have expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, which requires the destruction of human embryos.  After millions of dollars in spending and years of study, no cures or treatments have been found from this form of stem cell research.   The bill passed in Congress and was vetoed by the President. 

House Roll Call Vote 5/24/05    238 Y   194 N  2 NV
Senate Roll Call Vote 7/18/06    63 Y  37 N
Vetoed by President Bush  7/19/06  
Override in House Failed   7/19/06   235 Y  193 N

Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act  (S. 193)
Title: A bill to increase the penalties for violations by television and radio broadcasters of the prohibitions against transmission of obscene, indecent, and profane language.  Primary Sponsor: Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas)

Agreed to in Senate by unanimous consent on 5/18/2006
House Roll Call Vote  6/7/06  379 Y  35 N  18 NV
Signed into law by President Bush on June 15, 2006

Record of All U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes in  2006  2005

Record of All U.S. House Roll Call Votes in   2006  2005