December legislative briefs

In session:
legislation you should know about
December 2001

A gift of nutrition this Christmas?
Legislative briefs and action alerts

Economic stimulus package under fire

The Senate Finance Committee passed the Democrats' version of the economic stimulus package, but it will not achieve the 60 votes necessary to pass the bill (the majority required when a bill violates the Congressional Budget Act). Upon return from the Thanksgiving Recess, a meeting will be convened to work out a compromise between Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate.

Critics say the House version of an economic stimulus package is primarily a tax break for the rich and potentially damaging to the economic recovery. The Senate Democrats' version includes less tax relief and more support for unemployed and working class citizens, but still does not go far enough in addressing economic stimulus and meeting the needs of those most affected by the current recession, according to the National Priorities Project.

For more information:
National Priorities Project
Citizens for Tax Justice

Debate continues over National Missile Defense and military spending

In December the House continues debating Department of Defense appropriations. As it stands, this appropriations bill would allocate $317.5 billion for the Department of Defense which would make total military spending around $343 billion for Fiscal Year 2002 (nuclear weapons and other forms of military spending fall under other appropriations bills). This bill allocates $7.9 billion for ballistic missile defense procurement and research for this year alone. Over the next 10 years, this program could cost over $100 billion.

Critics of National Missile Defense say it is unfeasible and does not represent real defense against potential threats. The Administration and Congress appear to be following a policy of pushing a costly NMD program while simultaneously dismantling existing treaties such as the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM).

For a critical look at missile defense, see the Center for Defense Information.
For more information about the ABM Treaty, go to Federation of American Scientists.

Will Fast-Track slip past—finally?
In the U.S., House of Representatives Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) announced that the House will vote on December 6th on whether to grant President Bush Fast Track/Trade Promotion Authority (HR 3005). The bill has been postponed repeatedly sinceJuly because Fast Track supporters have been unable to gather the votes needed to pass the legislation.

Many Democrats and Republicans are undecided about the merits of passing Fast Track (H.R. 3005), which would prevent legislators from amending trade agreements. This controversial legislation has been defeated in Congress each time it has been voted on since 1995.

Members of the North America Gender and Trade Network - U.S. are advocating against Trade Promotion Authority in coalition with other U.S. civil society groups. They call "fast track" undemocratic and charge that it does not ensure trade negotiators will be held accountable to international human rights law.

The Network urges citizens to call their members of Congree and tell them that they oppose bringing this contentious issue up for a vote. The AFL-CIO's toll free number 1-800-393-1082 can connect callers to their members of Congress.

For more information:
Center of Concern Speaks Out on Trade Promotion Authority

From the AFL-CIO (December 4, 2001):
Stop Fast Track: Call 1-800-393-1082 Today. Join tens of thousands of others around the country today and call your U.S. representative to stop Fast Track trade authority. Call 1-800-393-1082 right now. Tell your U.S. representative to vote against this flawed legislation that already has cost more than 1 million manufacturing jobs and promises more job loss and lost wages.

After you make your call, take one minute to send a fax to your U.S. representative easily from the AFL-CIO website and tell your friends, family and co-workers to call and fax their U.S. representatives to stop Fast Track trade authority.

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