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MRF E-MAIL NEWS
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Suite 510
P.O. Box 1808
Washington, DC 20013-1808
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
MRF website
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Hennie
Vice President of Government Relations
E-mail: jeff@mrf.org
8 August 2008
Congress Adjourns for Five-Week Break
Washington DC is shuttered for the next five weeks to accommodate the
congressional tradition of August recess. Generally the House and Senate
scramble to pass as much legislation as possible in order to have more
accomplishments to point to when speaking at town hall meetings back in
their home districts. Being able to reassure constituents that Congress is
doing all they can to alleviate society's problems is key to any US
Representative's re-election campaign. With overall congressional approval
ratings at an all time low of 14 percent, it's puzzling why Congress
adjourned having done very little.
Gas prices. The number one issue before Congress today is energy. That's
because it affects every aspect of life of every single person in the
entire country. One would think that Congress would at least attempt to
address the fuel cost epidemic at least in passing, if not in earnest. No
matter what side of the political pasture you graze in, you have to agree
that Congress has done next to nothing when it comes to rising energy
costs.
Let's take a look at some of the ideas tossed around by Congress to
address rising fuel prices. We first should acknowledge that proposals to
suspend federal gasoline taxes aren't fooling anyone. Most people are well
aware that their gas taxes go to building critical roads and bridges. Does
anyone really think drivers will be grateful for a few cents a gallon less
at the pump in return for the next bridge collapse?
The silver bullet, we are told, is cracking down on oil and gas
speculators. While those who deal in mineral futures may be responsible
for some price inflation, it is a stretch to think that curbing
speculation will dramatically lower prices at the pump. At least there has
been some bipartisan cooperation in by both chambers in developing an
acceptable approach to a dubious solution.
Lastly, we have been told that we must dip into our Strategic Petroleum
Reserve to increase supplies and lower costs. For what little difference
it might make at the pump, does anyone really think Americans will sleep
easier knowing we've drained our national emergency fuel supplies so it
will cost the family a little less to drive to the beach?
It's clear that a solution would have to be multi-faceted and encompass
finding alternative forms of energy, finding new petroleum resources
through exploratory drilling, and less consumption by individuals. Saving
energy is no longer a moral luxury, it's a personal responsibility.
Which brings us back to what Congress did not do this summer; pass any
energy legislation at all! It's a common story in Washington when the
majority party silences the minority's voice - but this year in the House
proved to be more theatrical than ever. When the minority tried to force a
vote on a drilling issue, the majority immediately forced a vote on
adjournment and won by party line. Then the majority shut off the
microphones, cameras and lights, leaving the minority to continue in
silent darkness, which they did for the next four days, much to the
entertainment of those occupying the full capacity public gallery.
Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction.
Michelle's Law
The house passed what is being called Michelle's Law last week; this bill
was at one time a possible vehicle for the HIPAA loophole repair language
(HR 1076). That, unfortunately, did not happen. Michelle's law, like HR
1076, addresses a very specific deficiency in our health insurance federal
code. This loophole allows insurance companies to drop coverage of a child
who has graduated from high school but not enrolled in a higher education
program. Michelle, a student who was diagnosed with colon cancer, was
advised by her medical provider to suspend studies and focus on treating
her condition full-time. She decided to stay in school because if she had
dropped out, she would have been pushed off her parents insurance.
Michelle suffered the ultimate consequence when she lost her battle with
cancer. No Senate action has occurred on this bill as of press time.
Because of the sensitive nature of this particular bill, the committee
chose to keep it a clean bill and not include the HR 1076 language. It is
a frustrating but certainly understandable decision by the committee
leadership and we commend them for their moral fortitude which can be rare
in Washington. We also thank the committee for agreeing to find an
appropriate vehicle for something similar to the HR 1076 language in the
near future. The MRF will make you aware of any action on this important
matter.
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