The Punks Running Our Country
We've handed over the power to make laws to the likes of the sleazebag James Sensenbrenner, who did a few rewrites to the Democrats' suggested amendments to the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. This bill makes it illegal for anyone to transport a minor across state lines for an abortion to get around laws requiring parental notification in the state where the minor lives. Here are the originals and the Sleazenbrenner rewrites, from ObsidianWings:
DEMS: a Nadler amendment allows an adult who could be prosecuted under the bill to go to a Federal district court and seek a waiver to the state’s parental notice laws if this remedy is not available in the state court. (no 11-16)
GOP REWRITE:. Mr. Nadler offered an amendment that would have created an additional layer of Federal court review that could be used by sexual predators to escape conviction under the bill. By a roll call vote of 11 yeas to 16 nays, the amendment was defeated.DEMS: a Nadler amendment to exempt a grandparent or adult sibling from the criminal and civil provisions in the bill (no 12-19)
GOP REWRITE: . Mr. Nadler offered an amendment that would have exempted sexual predators from prosecution under the bill if they were grandparents or adult siblings of a minor. By a roll call vote of 12 yeas to 19 nays, the amendment was defeated.DEMS: a Scott amendment to exempt cab drivers, bus drivers and others in the business transportation profession from the criminal provisions in the bill (no 13-17):
GOP REWRITE. Mr. Scott offered an amendment that would have exempted sexual predators from prosecution if they are taxicab drivers, bus drivers, or others in the business of professional transport. By a roll call vote of 13 yeas to 17 nays, the amendment was defeated.DEMS: a Scott amendment that would have limited criminal liability to the person committing the offense in the first degree (no 12-18)
GOP REWRITE:. Mr. Scott offered an amendment that would have exempted from prosecution under the bill those who aid and abet criminals who could be prosecuted under the bill. By a roll call vote of 12 yeas to 18 nays, the amendment was defeated.DEMS: a Jackson-Lee amendment to exempt clergy, godparents, aunts, uncles or first cousins from the penalties in the bill (no 13-20)
GOP REWRITE. Ms. Jackson-Lee offered an amendment that would have exempted sexual predators from prosecution under the bill if they were clergy, godparents, aunts, uncles, or first cousins of a minor, and would require a study by the Government Accounting Office. By a roll call vote of 13 yeas to 20 nays, the amendment was defeated.
Oh, and what a surprise, it seems Sensenbrenner has racked up more expenses for travel covered by private groups than any other member of Congress -- $168,000 -- writes Brian Tumulty in the Post-Gazette:
The nonpartisan analysis by Political Money Line showed Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls, took 19 privately financed trips to locales ranging from Taiwan to Guatemala and Germany between January 2000 and earlier this year.
Jim Sensenbrenner is a friend of mine, and while I don't agree with all his lawmaking, I know for a fact that he is scrupulous about his expenses. In fact, he's so renowned for being extremely careful about things like postage that he's an object of ridicule on Capitol Hill for it.
Jackie D at April 29, 2005 4:03 PM
Oops, I didn't read your post thoroughly enough, Amy. Sorry!
Jackie D at April 29, 2005 4:07 PM
Yeah, it was the rewrite thing I found sleazy pool. And I do find it somewhat questionable when somebody does that much intercontinental fact-finding!
Amy Alkon at April 29, 2005 4:11 PM
I sort of thought the point was the law: "This bill makes it illegal for anyone to transport a minor across state lines for an abortion to get around laws requiring parental notification in the state where the minor lives."
Which is pretty interesting.
Just what do you think you should be able to do without telling your parents - especially when they are legally liable for your behavior?
By the way - may I suggest the Library of Congress Web site, Thomas, as a definitive reference as to Federal lawmaking?
Radwaste at May 1, 2005 2:51 PM
Leave a comment