50 years ago this week: I have a dream ...

August 28, 1963 to present ...

This past weekend, our own community of Cedar Rapids reflected on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom.  Today, reflection is occurring in Washington D.C. and people throughout the World on the issues of civil rights and civil liberties.

Plenty is taking place, since August 24th.

• New Library opened in Downtown Cedar Rapids
• Commemorative Event celebrating the 50th anniversary on the March on Washington
• The Cedar Rapids Community Schools began classes for 2013-14
• Personal anniversary of sorts was celebrated on the 27th for us ...
• Events happening in this area of Iowa
• Local high school football begins this Labor Day weekend ...
• No Rotary on Monday, as we celebrate Labor Day!

Upcoming, the 2013 College Football Season kicks off on Thursday, August 28th ...

• Thursday night game headliner: North Carolina @ South Carolina on ESPN
• Friday night in the Big Ten: Western Michigan @ Michigan State
• Iowa kicks off Saturday w/ Northern Illinois at Kinnick at 2:30 p.m.
• UNI @ Iowa State, Saturday night in Ames
• # 1 Alabama vs. Virginia Tech on Saturday in Atlanta
• Sunday afternoon: Ohio U @ Louisville and Colorado vs. Colorado State in Denver
• Labor Day Monday: Florida State @ Pittsburgh

In July, the 2013-14 Rotary International theme began ...

We hope everyone is having a safe and enjoyable 2013 ...

Post-Father's Day Monday: Summer appears to be arriving in Iowa...

JUNE 2013

Post-Father's Day Monday Attended Real Estate Government Affairs Meeting in the Morning Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting at Noon (Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs) Nice post-Father's Day discussion with my father about taxes, immigration and politics Busy week ahead for both businesses: Tommy Tucker Realty Co. and Tucker Manufacturing Co. Inc. Community work, as well, such as Civil Rights Commission meeting on Wednesday

Mr Robin B Tucker www.nwyc.com Vol. 17 No. 1-18 Monday, June 17, 2013 REVIEW Immigration: The Senate overwhelmingly voted to begin debating the Gang of Eight's immigration overhaul. Border security and which, if any, benefits immigrants will enjoy before legal residency, are presenting stumbling blocks that are preventing an easy passage of the measure.  (S.744) The National Security Agency: The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration over recently disclosed NSA domestic surveillance programs. Those in favor of the suit say the administration went too far in gathering data that would have been private.  Those against it say the data is being collected  to keep the country safe from attacks. Click Here to voice your thoughts on this issue. Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act: The House passed a global marketing bill that would require regulatory requirements of the G20 member nation to be broadly equivalent to U.S. swaps requirements. (H.R.1256) The Morning After Pill: The Obama administration decided to end its opposition to making emergency contraception available to women of all ages without restrictions or prescriptions. Some are urging lawmakers to continue to challenge the U.S. District Court’s ruling. Others praise the decision. Click Here to voice your thoughts on this issue. Defense Authorization Plowing Through the $638.4 billion Defense Bill: The House addressed a multi-billion dollar defense measure that would authorize funds for the Pentagon and defense-related programs for fiscal 2014, including $85.8 billion for the war in Afghanistan and other overseas operations. The bill’s authorization for regular defense funding is about $50 billion more than the projected post-sequestration defense cap under the Budget Control Act. (H.R.190) A Multitude of Amendments: House lawmakers began addressing 172 amendments to the annual defense authorization bill, rejecting a proposal on the indefinite detention of suspected terrorists and adopting an amendment on the withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan. Leaving Afghanistan: In a 305-121 vote, the House on Thursday adopted an amendment by Jim McGovern, (D-MA) that would call for combat operations to be transferred from U.S. forces to Afghanistan by the end of 2013. Other military and security operations would depart by the end of 2014. Click Here to voice your thoughts on this issue. Aircraft Carriers: The House rejected a Democratic amendment that would reduce the number of aircraft carriers the U.S. Navy must maintain from 11 to 10. Sequestration has left the Navy about $1 billion short to finish work on at least seven destroyers and submarines ordered in fiscal 2013 and prior years, according to a House Appropriations Defense spending bill report. Sexual Assault: The House adopted 20 amendments en bloc that would address what Congress is calling a sexual assault “crisis” in the military. One would take the decision for prosecuting most felony-level offenses out of the chain of command and into the hands of military lawyers.   What are your thoughts and concerns? Click Here to write your elected officials about any topic you would like to voice your concern or opinion.   PREVIEW The Emerging Agricultural Bill: The Farm bill is expected to be brought to the House floor this week. The Senate-reported measure would reduce spending by $17.9 billion (-1.8%); and the House-reported bill, would reduce it by $33.4 billion (-3.4%), according to the Congressional Budget Office. The CBO projected that the current farm bill programs, if they were to continue, would cost $973 billion over the next 10 years. (FY2014-FY2023). (H.R. 1947) (S.954) Bipartisan Education Overhaul The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is slogging through numerous amendments to an education overhaul measure. Teacher evaluations based in part on student test scores, which Harkin left out in 2011 in an effort to protect the bill’s bipartisan backing. The Week Ahead:  Please go to www.nwyc.com for the latest updates on Capitol Hill. MONDAY, JUNE 17TH On Monday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1) H.R. 876- Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act 2) H.R. 253 - Y Mountain Access Enhancement Act, as amended 3) H.Res. __ - To amend the Senate Amendment to H.R. 588 - Vietnam Veterans Donor Acknowledgement Act of 2013 4) H.R. 520 - Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act 5) H.R. 674 - Rota Cultural and Natural Resources Study Act 6) H.R. 862 - To authorize the conveyance of two small parcels of land within the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest containing private improvements that were developed based upon the reliance of the landowners in an erroneous survey conducted in May 1960 TUESDAY, JUNE 18TH, AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m. On Friday, no votes are expected. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1) H.R. 1896- International Child Support Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (Sponsored by Rep. David Reichert / Ways and Means Committee) 2) H.R. 475 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include vaccines against seasonal influenza within the definition of taxable vaccines (Sponsored by Rep. Jim Gerlach / Ways and Means Committee) 3) H.R. 1151 - To direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan at the triennial International Civil Aviation Organization Assembly, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Edward Royce / Foreign Services Committee) H.R. 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Trent Franks / Judiciary Committee) H.R. 1947 - Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Frank Lucas / Agriculture Committee) COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK Education and Workforce Committee markup on “H.R. 5, Student Success Act” (Wednesday, June 19th, at 9:00 a.m.)

March Madness: the joys of the season and journey in life ...

This is one of the most enjoyable Creighton basketball  teams to follow over  thirty years of being part of Creighton.  The #7 seeded Jays will play #2 seeded Duke in Philadelphia on Sunday night with a 8:40 tip off on TBS Sports. 

“What a week,” said CU's president, the Rev. Timothy Lannon, as he bounded out of the victorious locker room. “The Pope is a Jesuit, we're in the Big East and we're playing Duke.”  As I wrap up a good article by Tom Shatel of the Omaha World Herald this morning.

• What a week indeed in the journey in life ...
• Creighton University is my alma mater and while NCAA success has been before and after my days on campus, I am proud of my alma mater's tradition and success in athletics.
• Nearly two weeks ago on CBS, Creighton beat Wichita State 68-65 to clinch the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament with the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title
• As a graduate of a Jesuit university, my Methodist-Catholic heritage in me gave me joy to learn of the announcement of Pope Francis. as our first Jesuit Pope!
• Despite the good news of Pope Francis, the journey for the Iowa Hawkeyes came to an end at the hands of the Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten Tournament.  No NCAA journey for the Hawkeyes, like my college days, it will be the NIT again.
• Last Sunday and Monday, we learned where the Creighton Jays and Lady Jays were headed in the NCAA Tournament.  The Jays were a #7 seed and the Lady Jays were also in the field, as an at-large.  
• Both Creighton and Wichita State are representing The Valley in both the NCAA men and women's basketball tournaments this year.  How are your brackets doing?
• Wednesday was an interesting Sports day, with news that Creighton had officially joined the Big East with Butler, Xavier and the remaining Catholic 7 of the Big East.
• By the way, while at Creighton University, I served as the sports editor of The Creightonian during my sophomore year as I transitioned from the College of Arts and Science into the College of Business at Creighton.  
• Wednesday night ... the Hawkeyes played Indiana State, another Valley team in the first round of the NIT Tournament.  Indiana State is coached by Iowan Greg Lansing, who was an assistant coach at the University of Iowa before moving back over to Indiana State.  He actually replaced a former Creighton alum, as head coach.
• My brackets started out well on Thursday as I went 14-2 (missed Oregon and Butler).  
• Yes, I didn't give love for former Creighton coach Dana Altman, thinking back to the 2003 Central Michigan game on the road to face Duke.  Oregon did advance over Oklahoma State on Thursday.  Further, I picked Bucknell over Butler, who will join Creighton in the new Big East.  Where is the love?

On Friday, we wrapped up Spring Break with the #7 Creighton vs. #10 Cincinnati game watching the Jays on CBS.  What a game for the Creighton Blue Jays, with a 67-63 win over a Big East opponent.  This team is fun to watch and they played as good of game, as I have ever seen a Creighton basketball team play in the NCAA Tournament.  

• Junior all-American forward #3 Doug McDermott, son of head coach Greg McDermott
• Fifth year senior and former Linn-Mar prep #10 Grant Gibbs, a key in the Duke game
• Senior center #00 Gregory Echenique, who played on the Venezuelan National Team
• Junior guard #12 Jahenns Manigat, who is from Ottawa, Ontario and key defender
• Sophomore point guard #1 Austin Chatman, who is the new starter for '12-'13 team
• Long live Creighton's #5 Josh Jones, a senior guard, who is no longer playing for the Jays due to heart aliment
• Creighton's bench will have to continue to contribute, whether it be junior three point master #34 Ethan Wragge or others.  Sadly, the health of sophomore center #31 Will Artino's ankle is a concern for depth vs. Duke, but look for him get some minutes.

On Saturday, I caught the final minute on ESPNU of the Lady Jays big victory over another Big East team, as the #10 Lady Jays beat #7 Syracuse 61-56 on the Tennessee Vols home floor.   When I was living in Swanson Hall on Creighton's campus, Creighton women's head basketball coach Jim Flanery was also there in the dorms as a student.  Great win for the program this weekend.

The Journey continues as March Madness opens a strong weekend of college basketball. 

With the news of Creighton's move to the Big East for 2013-14, my journey with Missouri Valley basketball continues with the University of Northern Iowa Panthers.  However, Greg Lansing and Indiana State may be a tough opponent in 2013-14.  But, as a UNI parent, it will be tough not to join in and root for the Panthers more.  

Next year, Creighton athletics will move onto a map like this:

This week in Washington DC per NWYC...

Mr Robin B Tucker www.nwyc.com Vol. 17 No. 1-6 Monday, February 18, 2013 REVIEW Congress Pay Raise: Due to constituent pressure, the House passed a bill that would prevent Congress, the president’s cabinet, the vice president, and other non-military federal employees from receiving an automatic pay-raise. The legislation would overturn an Executive Order issued by President Obama in December 2012 to provide federal employees with a 0.5 percent pay raise. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the president’s Executive Order will cost $11 billion over ten years. (H.R. 273) Avoiding the Sequester: House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) in the Capitol to tell him that the Senate should be the first to move on a bill to avert more than $1 trillion in indiscriminate spending cuts set to begin next month. The automatic cuts of $85 billion are set to begin March 1. Look for a ballot on this issue in your Inbox this week!   President Urges Congress to Find Spending Cuts: President Obama challenged Congress to find a way to dodge the sequester and seize the opportunity for more-enduring deficit reduction. On fiscal matters, immigration reform, and gun control, the president depicted Congress as stumbling over obstacles to progress. Yet, he said, “Together, we have cleared away the rubble of crisis, and can say with renewed confidence that the state of our union is stronger.”   Hagle Nomination Stalls: Amid accusations of a GOP filibuster, Senate Republicans blocked a vote on the nomination of Chuck Hagel to be Defense secretary.   Condemning North Korea: The House passed a resolution condemning the government of North Korea for its flagrant and repeated violations of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions, for its repeated provocations that threaten international peace and stability, and for its February 12, 2013, test of a nuclear device.   Hydropower Efficiency Act: The House passed a bipartisan policy designed to promote the growth of mini hydro and in-river hydro projects by streamlining the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's permitting process for low-impact proposals. (H.R.267)   Federal Disaster Assistance: The House passed a measure that makes  houses of worship eligible for federal contributions for the repair, restoration, and replacement of facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster, without regard to the religious character of the facility or the primary religious use of the facility. (H.R.592)   Senate Authorizes Violence Against Women Bill: The long-delayed bill, which President Obama mentioned in his State of the Union address passed the Senate by a vote of 78-22. A group of 17 House Republicans have written a letter urging leadership to bring a bipartisan bill to the floor, it’s unclear what the legislation’s future holds in that chamber. (S.47)      PREVIEW   Secretary Taxing Pollution: Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) said she is aiming to bring long-shot carbon tax legislation to the Senate floor in the coming months. The legislation would impose a $20 fee per ton on carbon and methane emissions, with the rate increasing by 5.6 percent a year over 10 years. Click here the express your opinion on this issue.   Minimum Wage Battle: House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has rejected President Obama’s push to bring the minimum wage to $9-an-hour. Republicans contend  the move would hurt employers. The president contends that it would boost take-home pay for nearly 15 million people. Click Here the express your opinion on this issue.   Senate Watches for Airline Monopoly: Senate chairmen say they will scrutinize the proposed merger of US Airways and American Airlines to determine whether the combination creating the world’s largest carrier would reduce consumer choice and boost costs.   Medicare Doctor’s Pay: House Energy and Commerce members will continue to discuss different elements of a plan to replace how Medicare pays doctors. While most lawmakers want to repeal the current payment formula, division remains over what kinds of payment models should replace the current formula.   Keeping Ear Marks out of the Water Bill: Water resource legislation that is somewhat free of earmarks is expected in the coming months. A bill authorizing flood control, navigation and environmental-restoration projects are set to be marked up in March. Past authorizations have been collections of earmarked Army Corps of Engineers projects that the Senate committee has vowed to prevent.   The Week Ahead: Please go to www.nwyc.com for the latest in congressional actions. Popular National Action Alerts: Gun Rights - Assault Weapons Ban Overturn Executive Order Giving Congress a Pay Raise? United Nations Small Arms Treaty Minimum Wage Increase What are your thoughts regarding Illegal Immigrants claiming a $1,000 Child Tax Credit? Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act Should Taxpayers Fund Abortions Is the Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional? What are your thoughts and concerns? Click Here to write your elected officials about any topic you would like to voice your concern or opinion.   Thank you for being a responsible American. Your voice is making a difference.

Gambling the Topic at Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids; What's up in Washington D.C?

Our presentation for the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids on Monday, February 11th will be:

Michael Richards & Scott Stines - The "No" Side of the March 5 Linn County Gambling Referendum

I had the pleasure to introduce our speakers today.  It is important to hear from both sides of  issues, if the Club elects to make it a part of our regular programming.  How does a Casino fit within the Four Way Test, when you consider such question at the polls on March 5th?

                                                 ***   ***   ***  ***

Here's an update from the NWYC for the Week of February 11:

Mr Robin B Tucker www.nwyc.com Vol. 17 No. 1-5 Monday, February 11, 2013 REVIEW The House votes 253-167 to require balanced budget date from President: The Republican-led House passed legislation that would force President Obama to estimate when the federal budget will balance again  and to outline the steps he proposes to eliminate the budget deficit. The Require a PLAN Act is part of an attempt to force the Democratic-led Senate to vigorously pursue efforts to cut the deficit. (H.R.444) Click Here to express your opinion on this issue to your Senators. New contraception regulations don’t go far enough, bishops say: The nation’s Roman Catholic bishops rejected the latest White House proposal on health insurance coverage of contraceptives, saying it did not offer enough safeguards for religious hospitals, colleges and charities that objected to providing such coverage for their employees.  Watch your e-mail for a Regulation Alert on this issue! Automatic spending cuts start March 1: President Obama took a hard line on looming automatic spending cuts, saying a standoff with Republicans over whether to replace the cuts in part with new tax increases is “an argument I’m more than willing to engage in.” The GOP would like to replace the across-the-board cuts with targeted spending cuts. Democrats have said Congress should replace them with a combination of cuts and tax increases that would decrease the deficit by the same amount as the cuts. Valor Act is getting another push: Some laws are hard to kill, even those declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The Stolen Valor Act, which makes it illegal to lie about military records, is getting a second life and this time its supporters have taken steps to ensure its longevity. The bill now says it is only illegal to lie about military accolades for material gain. What qualifies as material gain would be up to the court and the prosecuting attorney to decide. “I don’t see somebody being prosecuted because they scored a free drink,” Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) who reintroduced the bill said. (H.R.258) Legal opinions on drones impact CIA confirmation Hearing: The president ordered the Justice Department to provide congressional intelligence committees with access to classified information on the legal rationale for drone strikes. Drones are unmanned aircraft that target suspected militants. The disclosure impacted the confirmation hearing for John Brennan, the president’s pick for CIA Director as senators from both parties studied the secret legal opinions. Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said, "It is critical for the committee's oversight function to fully understand the legal basis for all intelligence and counterterrorism operations.”    Identity Theft Scams The IRS has issued several consumer warnings about the fraudulent use of the IRS name or logo by scamsters trying to gain access to consumers’ financial information in order to steal their identity and assets. Scamsters will use the regular mail, telephone, fax or email to set up their victims. When identity theft takes place over the Internet (email), it is called phishing. The IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through email. Unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, or from an IRS-related component such as EFTPS, should be reported to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. Additionally, clicking on attachments to or links within an unsolicited email claiming to come from the IRS may download a malicous computer virus onto your computer. Learn more about identity theft. Learn how to protect your personal information. You may also report instances of IRS-related phishing attempts and fraud to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484. Popular National Action Alerts: Stop the Coin Act (H.R. 220) Gun Rights - Assault Weapons Ban Overturn Executive Order Giving Congress a Pay Raise? United Nations Small Arms Treaty Minimum Wage Increase What are your thoughts regarding Illegal Immigrants claiming a $1,000 Child Tax Credit? Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act Should Taxpayers Fund Abortions Is the Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional?   PREVIEW   Panetta calls defense cuts “the most significant military readiness crisis in more than a decade”: Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said that with a CR and sequester, he would be forced to cut more than $46 billion from the budget over the rest of the fiscal year, which ends Oct. 1. “This will damage our national defense and compromise our ability to respond to crises in a dangerous world,” he said. $60.4 billion not enough for water bill: Democratic senators from the Northeast want the next water resources bill to authorize more money to help prepare for future extreme weather events. The money sought would be in addition to $60.4 billion Congress has allocated in emergency funding for post-Sandy recovery, including assistance to help rebuild damaged transit infrastructure in the New York metropolitan area. “We have to build stronger and smarter,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said at an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing. Road block in Alaska: The top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), says she may put a hold on President Obama’s Interior secretary nominee if the department blocks a proposed road through a remote Alaskan wildlife refuge. The long-sought road would eliminate the need for flights that ill residents currently must make, which is said to have killed at least 12 people in the past three decades.   The Week Ahead: Please go to www.nwyc.com for the latest in congressional actions. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH On Monday, the House is not in session. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. The House will recess no later than 5:30 p.m. to allow a security sweep of the House Chamber prior to the President's State of the Union address. The House will meet again at approximately 8:35 p.m. for the purpose of receiving, in a joint session with the Senate, the President of the United States. No votes are expected. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1) H.R. 267 - Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 2) H.R. 316 - Collinsville Renewable Energy Promotion Act 3) H.R. 235 - Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2013 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH, AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m. H.R. 592 - To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to clarify that houses of worship are eligible for certain disaster relief and emergency assistance on terms equal to other eligible private nonprofit facilities, and for other purposes H.R. 273 - To eliminate the 2013 statutory pay adjustment for Federal employees  Click Here to express your opinion on this issue. COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK Small Business Committee hearing on “State of the Small Business Economy” (Wednesday, February 13th, at 1:00 p.m.) What are your thoughts and concerns? Click Here to write your elected officials about any topic you would like to voice your concern or opinion.   Thank you for being a responsible American. Your voice is making a difference.

Celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday in Cedar Rapids...

 The United Way and the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids hosted the 27th annual Remembering Martin Luncheon at Noon.

It was a very nice luncheon at Kirkwood Community College today.  The Keynote Address was given by Dr. Ruth White, a retired educator for over 30 years and Project Director for Kids on Course. Dr. White spoke in part, to the 22 middle and high school students honored by the community.

Tonight, the public is welcome to attend the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. Our Facebook invite page for this year's event.

The Sending to Serve Committee of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church will be pleased to announce the recipient of the fourteenth annual Percy and Lileah Harris “Who is My Neighbor?” Award. The plaque reads, “In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.”

This year's keynote speaker will be Lew Montgomery, a former University of Iowa football player and Manager, Diversity & Talent Acquisition at ACT, Inc., in Iowa City.  The public is invited to this neighborhood event in the City of Cedar Rapids.

Mark 12:30-31

New International Version (NIV)

³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’^{[a] 31} The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b] There is no commandment greater than these.”

President Obama begins Second Term as President...

Mr Robin B Tucker www.nwyc.com Vol. 17 No. 1-2 Monday, January 21, 2013 REVIEW Gun Control Executive Orders: While some Democratic lawmakers said President Obama’s recent gun control executive orders didn’t go far enough, some Republican lawmakers said the orders were in “direct conflict” with federal law. By law, executive orders cannot create new laws, they can only direct how existing laws are to be carried out. Republicans have identified the following five specific directives they consider legally questionable in the president’s recent directives: 1) order to allow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct research into gun violence; 2-3) two directives aimed at getting states to provide more information to a federal database of disqualified gun purchasers; 4-5) and two  directives aimed at clarifying health care professionals’ right to inquire about their patients’ guns or report threats of violence to law enforcement agencies. Click Here to express your opinion on this issue. Urging Congress to Focus on the Debt Ceiling: As the February deadline nears for the government to run out of borrowing authority, lawmakers are being urged to come to an agreement and to focus on the consequences of exceeding the debt ceiling. Reports show that not raising the debt ceiling would delay payments due to Social Security beneficiaries, active military personnel, recipients of government assistance programs and federal contractors within the first few days. Under this scenario, Treasury officials would postpone payments until they have enough cash flowing in to make them. Mine Safety: Democratic lawmakers renewed their call for Congress to update the federal mine safety law after the Obama administration unveiled a final rule that allows more aggressive enforcement measures against mines that have had repeat safety violations. High Energy Drinks: Democratic lawmakers are calling for an investigation  into 14 energy drink companies. In question are marketing claims and ingredients connected with the companies. The Food and Drug Administration is also launching an investigation. The goal is to ascertain whether the products are harmful to young people, especially those with cardiac conditions. Disaster Relief Appropriations Act: The House passed a measure providing $51 billion for relief and recovery from Hurricane Sandy. An amendment to the relief package introduced by Tea Party-allied conservatives requiring across-the-board cuts to defense and domestic programs to pay for $17 billion of storm aid was defeated with a combination of GOP and Democratic votes. (H.R. 152) American Taxpayer Relief Act: The Senate passed a bill that makes permanent the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 for individual taxpayers whose taxable income is at or below a $400,000 threshold amount ($450,000 for married couples filing a joint return). Chief among these latest tax provisions is the one-year extension of 50 percent bonus depreciation through 2013. (H.R.8)   PREVIEW   Debt Ceiling: House Republican leaders said Friday that they will schedule a vote this week on a plan to extend the nation’s debt ceiling for three months, but that it would also require the Democratic-controlled Senate to pass a budget by April 15 for the first time in four years or see senators’ pay withheld. Check Your Email on Tuesday for Your  Debt Ceiling Action Alert. Fight Still Looming Over Federal Paychecks: Though the House voted against federal pay raises on Jan. 2, the 112th Congress adjourned before the Senate took up the bill. Now, the House is set to vote again on the issue. The bill would overturn President Obama’s Dec. 27 executive order giving small raises — about 0.5 percent — to people who work for the federal government, including Congress. Federal employee unions oppose it pointing out that those workers have not had a pay raise since 2010.  Click Here to express your opinion on this issue. Immigration Reform: Business leaders are urging Congress to reach an agreement on legislation that would define the legal path for illegal immigrants living in the U.S., as well as new entrance rules for those to come. While Democrats have voiced support for a comprehensive immigration overhaul, Republicans have shown favor for an incremental approach.   Keystone XL Pipeline: Republicans are urging the Obama administration to allow the pipeline to advance and create jobs, while environmental groups are stepping up pressure to stop the pipeline with new research that shows tar sands emissions are more carbon-intensive than previously thought. The Week Ahead: Please go to www.nwyc.com for the latest in congressional actions.  MONDAY, JANUARY 21ST On Monday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. No votes are expected in the House. TUESDAY, JANUARY 22ND On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. H.R. 307 - Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Suspension, 40 Minutes of Debate) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23RD On Wednesday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m. Legislation Conditioning an Increase in the Nation's Debt Limit Upon Congress Passing a Budget THURSDAY, JANUARY 24TH, AND FRIDAY, JANUARY 25TH On Thursday and Friday, no votes are expected. COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on “Terrorist Attack in Benghazi: The Secretary of State’s View” (Wednesday, January 23, at 2:00 p.m.)   What are your thoughts and concerns? Click Here to write your elected officials about any topic you would like to voice your concern or opinion.   Thank you for being a responsible American. Your voice is making a difference.

Two Monday of the New Year & Washington Politics...

Mr Robin B Tucker www.nwyc.com   Fact Sheet on Fiscal Cliff Agreement   After two years of party wrangling, Congress has passed and President Obama has signed a permanent extension of the Bush-era tax breaks for individuals with annual incomes up to $400,000 and couples with annual incomes up to $450,000. Here is a look at the highlights of the new law. Small Business Tax Breaks Business Equipment Write-off: Retroactively increases 2012 maximum expensing amount from $139,000 to $500,000 and extends this amount through 2013. It also reinstates the $250,000 write-off of qualified real property improvements. Bonus Depreciation: Extends for one year, into 2013, accelerated “bonus” depreciation of business investments in new property and equipment tax deductions. Individual Breaks Income Tax Rates: Rates remain the same for couples with taxable annual incomes under $450,000. Those with over $450,000 will see their top rate go from 35% to 39.6%. Dividends and Capital Gains: The maximum rate remains at 15%, except for joint filers making more than $450,000. That maximum rate will be 20%. The President had proposed a top rate of 39.6% for dividends prior to the agreement.      Estate Tax: The amount of an estate exempt from the tax remains at $5 million for individual estates and $10 for family estates. The maximum tax rate increases from 35% to 40%.  The sharing of unused exemption amounts between spouses is also still alive.   Personal Exemptions and Itemized Deductions: The personal exemption and itemized deductions will be reduced for families earning more than $300,000. Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT): The law provides a permanent patch to keep more Americans from being subject to the increased tax level, and indexes it for inflation. The change prevents a tax increase that would have affected an estimated 30 million additional taxpayers. Unemployment Benefits: Unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed are extended through 2013. Tax Credits: A five-year extension of tax credits was given to the child tax credit, earned Income tax credit and the college tuition tax credit. Medicare Doc fix:  A 27% reduction in payments to Medicare providers is postponed for 2013. Automatic Across-the-Board Spending Cuts: The sequester of funds will be delayed by two months and replaced with new half revenues and half targeted spending cuts. Other Breaks: Deductions for educator supplies,  sales tax, college tuition and exclusion for home mortgage debt were retroactively  included in the new law. Tax Increase Payroll Tax: The temporary 2% cut to the employee payroll tax rate was not renewed.   The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended as legal, accounting or tax advice or opinion as provided by National Write Your Congressman. The reader should seek professional guidance prior to taking any action based upon this information. National Write Your Congressman shall have no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or others which may affect the information provided. Thank you for being a responsible American; your voice is making a difference.