During the recent Senate floor debate on the fiscal 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) quietly inserted an amendment to transfer the anthrax-contaminated American Media Building in Boca Raton, Fla., and all its liability, to the federal government's General Services Administration. The building, which housed the National Enquirer and other publications, is uninhabitable, and its liability is enormous. For putting taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars in potential liability, Sen. Nelson is CAGW's February Porker of the Month.  Read more about the Porker of the Month here.

On February 20, President Bush signed the 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill (HJ Res. 2) into law. This bill covers 11 of the 13 spending measures that annually fund government operations and that the 107th Congress failed to pass before adjourning last year. Although we are just beginning to tabulate the cost to taxpayers, we predict that pork in this year's spending bills will surpass the record of $20.1 billion contained in last year's budget. CAGW has begun compiling a preliminary list of pork-barrel projects in the Omnibus legislation. Some of those that stand out so far include: $280,000 for asparagus technology and production in Washington; $500,000 for Tongass Coast Aquarium in Alaska; and $300,000 to Iowa State University for the Universal Kitchen Design project. When completed, the full list will appear in the 2003 Congressional Pig Book, projected to be out in May.  Click here to read the preliminary list.

CAGW is praising President Bush for proposing a 2004 budget that makes stimulative tax cuts a top priority and increases dollars for defense and homeland security, while restraining overall budget growth to 4 percent. However, more work is needed to rein in spending, and according to CAGW President Tom Schatz, "CAGW continues to call for the president to empanel a private-sector, nonpartisan Government Waste Commission, similar to President Reagan's Grace Commission, to audit all federal programs and agencies." Click here to read more.

 

FCC Decision is Victory for Competition, Blow to Corporate Welfare

CAGW is applauding the decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to keep key elements of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, thus preserving a competitive market within the industry. According to the rules adopted by the FCC, the four regional Bell operating companies would still have to open up their telephone lines to competitors. However, the Bells will not be required to share any high-speed networks that they build. CAGW calls this a "prudent compromise."  Click here to read more. 

 

CAGW to Congressman Tauzin:  Stop Meddling at the FCC

CAGW is chiding House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-La.) for improperly meddling in the FCC's rule-making process.  "We agree with Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) that it was inappropriate for Chairman Tauzin to call an FCC commissioner on the carpet during consideration of a critical rule that affects the future of the entire telecommunications industry," CAGW President Tom Schatz said.  Click here to read more.

 

CAGW Applauds Greenspan for GSE Comments

CAGW recently applauded Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan for calling for additional federal oversight of the behemoth government-sponsored enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Greenspan, who was testifying before the Senate Banking Committee, responded to a question from Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.), asking whether the Fed chairman supported Securities and Exchange Commission oversight of or involvement in Fannie and Freddie. Click here to read more.