Senate Signals Support for On-Line Sales Tax

By an overwhelming 75-24 vote, Senators, late Friday, approved an amendment to the budget draft that would authorize states to compel merchants to collect sales taxes on on-line purchases. The amendment itself is non-binding, but it signals broad support for legislation dubbed The Marketplace Fairness Act. Action on that legislation could come later this year. 23 Mar 2013

After Three Years, We're Now Finding Out What's in ObamaCare

Three years ago, Democrats in Congress rammed through ObamaCare, against the wishes of a majority of Americans. Never before had such a major piece of legislation been enacted with no bi-partisan support nor in the face of overwhelming opposition in the polls. Then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to reassure the public by stating that we just needed to pass the bill to find out "what's in it." This year and next, we will find out "what's in it." It won't be pretty for Democrats. 22 Mar 2013

Paul, Cruz, Lee Vote Against Ryan Budget

Earlier this week, GOP Rep. Mick Mulvaney offered the Senate Democrat budget proposal for a vote in the House. The budget plan was defeated, with 35 Democrats crossing the aisle to oppose it. Thursday night, Dem Sen. Patty Murray responded by offering Rep. Paul Ryan's budget for a vote in the Senate. The measure failed, 40-59, with 5 GOP Senators joining in opposition. Interestingly, among these 5 were Sens. Paul, Cruz and Lee. 22 Mar 2013

Punxsutawney Phil Is Fall Guy for Global Warming Folklore

Perhaps I'm just bitter that global warming has enveloped my home in a cold snap, but I welcome the news that an intrepid Ohio prosecutor has filed a criminal indictment against folklore's weirdest character, Punxsutawney Phil. Oh, and the prosecutor is seeking the death penalty, showing a seriousness of purpose that is all too unfamiliar these days. 22 Mar 2013

Red State Dems Risk Careers on Senate Budget Vote

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has vowed to push his caucus' budget plan through the Senate before the Easter recess. The plan raises taxes by over $1 Trillion and increases net spending. It doesn't achieve balance and adds trillions to the national debt. To pass his budget, Reid will need the votes of a handful of Democrats up for reelection next year in red states. This could be a defining vote of the midterms. 22 Mar 2013

Wasserman Schultz: My Aides Can't Afford Good Meals

On Tuesday, FL Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and her colleague VA Rep. Jim Moran openly whined about the impacts of spending cuts on their personal office budgets. Moran fretted that, with the looming sequester cuts, he may have to cut one staffer from his office. Wasserman Schultz upped his ante, however. She, almost literally, suggested that her staff were on the brink of starvation. 21 Mar 2013

With Dem Defections, House Votes Down Senate Dem Budget Plan

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted down the budget plan unveiled by Senate Democrats last week. The plan failed by a vote of 154-261. Although Dem leadership whipped in support of the budget plan, 35 House Democrats defected and joined the GOP caucus in rejecting the plan. 21 Mar 2013

Senate Reaches CR Deal to Avoid Government Shutdown

Wednesday evening, the Senate passed its version of a continuing resolution to provide government spending authority through September 30th, the end of the fiscal year. The government has been operating off a series of continuing resolutions, since the Senate hasn't passed a formal budget in four years. Passage of the CR, which the House is expected to approve, means that the Congress can now move to debate over the budget, without the threat of a government shutdown. 20 Mar 2013

Exclusive - Sanford: People Are 'Fearful and Ticked-Off'

On Tuesday, former SC Governor Mark Sanford cleared the first hurdle on his political comeback. Sanford won the GOP primary for the 1st Congressional District with almost 37% of the vote in a crowded, 16-candidate field. Custic Bostic, former member of the Charleston City Council and state Sen. Larry Grooms are locked in a recount to determine who will face Sanford in the run-off election, scheduled for April 2nd. Sanford told Breitbart News he was "ready for the two-week sprint." 20 Mar 2013

House GOP Witness: Reading Bible Can Cause Violence

This morning, VA Rep. Frank Wolf convened a hearing of the Commerce Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee he chairs. The subject of the hearing was youth violence and, specifically, the role video games play in encouraging violent behavior. A star witness, however, Psychologist Brad J. Bushman, has a tendency to see lots of stimuli contributing to violence. One paper he wrote a few years ago even found that exposure to biblical stories caused an increase in violent behavior, especially among believers. 19 Mar 2013