Last week, the Mifflin County 912 Tea Party and the Williamsport Tea Party partnered with FreedomWorks and held successful events motivating and training citizen activists on key issues not only at the state level in Pennsylvania but at the national level as well.

In the midst of chaotic negotiations between the Senate and the House over the debt ceiling, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) had another priority: introducing the Main Street Fairness Act, a new quasi-federalized Internet sales tax.

Over the past three years, President Obama has spent billions of dollars bailing out big banks, insurance giants and auto companies. These massive programs have not only cost American taxpayers dearly, but have sent the message that in the future poorly-run companies will be rescued from their failures. But that’s only the beginning—now Obama wants to bailout failing countries. Using the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Obama plans to put American taxpayers on the hook for a second 145 billion dollar rescue package for Greece.  

Tomorrow, the House will vote on a bill to repeal the government takeover of health care.  After it passes, the bill will go over to the Senate.  The conventional wisdom is that it will die there.  But don't start the funeral parade too soon.  There is way to force a Senate vote on the House repeal bill.

Big heads up: a cloture vote to move forward on the DISCLOSE Act is scheduled in the Senate tomorrow afternoon. Click here to call your Senators and urge them to vote No on cloture to keep the DISCLOSE Act from becoming law. FreedomWorks sent this key vote to the Hill this morning urging a No vote on the bill.  Here's an excerpt:

President Obama's budget proposal working itself through Congress right now includes funding from a $600 billion cap and trade energy tax.  The plan would place a limit on the amount of carbon emissions that a firm is allowed to produce.  They can then sell their rights to carbon to other companies that wish to exceed their limit.  Cap and trade increases energy costs by restricting output and raising costs to producers.  

If you've been paying attention to what's going on in Washington recently, you've probably heard the word "reconciliation".  What is it?  It's a legislative process intended to allow a budget bill to be considered without filibuster.  In the Senate, it restricts debate to 20 hours and amendments are limited.  Without the option of filibuster, a bill in the Senate would only require 51 votes to pass.  A super majority of 60 votes is required to end a filibuster to move legislation normally. 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his allies are gamely continuing the fight for a vote on permanent extension of the internet tax moratorium.  It's a smart move, since majorities in both chambers support a permanent extension but leadership is denying a vote.  Details at Sen. McConnell's web site.