Religious Freedom Coalition - Promoting Religious Freedom and Family Based Legislation
RFC Home Give a Gift Online Store Legislation Newsletter Subscribe About RFC Archives Search




Click here or on the image above to learn more about William J. Murray’s most recent book, The Pledge: One Nation Under God

Week Ending December 17, 2004
December 18, 2004 6:52PM EST


LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 17, 2004

HOUSE AND SENATE IN RECESS

THE PRESIDENCY

NEW FACES IN THE CABINET

Conservative groups have been watching closely the new Cabinet as it forms. Many Americans do not realize that hundreds of thousands of people work directly for Cabinet members. As an example, the Department of Health and Human Services employs more than 66,000 people and in addition, through grants, influences state government agencies as well. A strong conservative leader hires conservatives! Because of the nature of HHS social conservative groups hoped that departing Secretary Tommy Thompson would be replaced by a far more pro-life individual. The President has chosen Mike Leavitt, former governor of Utah and currently the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Leavitt is a self-proclaimed "pro-lifer;" however, as governor of Utah he vetoed legislation to stop graphic, inappropriate materials being used in sex-ed classes in that state. While talking the talk, he has not always walked the walk and we are encouraging conservative Senators to ask him tough questions during his confirmation hearings. (RFC photo gallery of Presidential events click here)

BARNEY CAM

Each year the President and his staff prepare a movie based on the First Dog for America's kids. It is fun even for adults to watch. To view go to www.whitehouse.gov and click on Barney's picture!

THE CONGRESS

CONSERVATIVE AGENDA

On Monday, December 13th a private meeting was held in Virginia by principles of national social conservative organizations to outline an agenda for 2005. The major areas discussed for legislative action next year were:

Marriage/Family

Major organizations decided to continue the push for the Federal Marriage Amendment and Congressman Hostettler's Marriage Protection Act. Hostettler's bill passed the House in 2004 but failed in the Senate. Work is also planned on the Healthy Marriage Initiative.

Religious Liberties

Congressman Walter Jones' Houses of Worship Act which would free clergy from IRS censorship will be a top priority. This will probably be addressed when the issue of 527 organizations comes to the forefront in 2005. The President has indicated he wants to clamp down on 527 participation in political campaigns. Court limitation acts such as those proposed by Congressmen Akin, Pikering and Aderholt will also be addressed.

Education

The Children's Hope Act, as well as various school choice legislation will be promoted, but it is not likely that any voucher programs will be addressed in 2005.

Life Issues

Human cloning and stem cell research will be hot buttons in the 109th Congress and major battles are expected as secularists try to manipulate human life in the test tube for the sake of some highly dubious medical gains. The growing of young humans to cannibalize their cells and tissues is part of the secular agenda. Researchers have actually proposed growing brainless embryos to allow the harvesting of "useful" parts. Life issues also consist of the Child Custody Protection Act, Abortion Non-discrimination Act, Abstinence Funding, Parental Right to Know and the continuing battle over RU-486. The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act will be fought the hardest by pro-abortion forces.

Other Issues

Judicial nominees, particularly any appointments to the Supreme Court, will drain the resources of conservative groups. Hollywood perverts, the ACLU, homosexual activists and the like will devote many millions of dollars to stopping pro-life judges from being confirmed. Social conservative groups will also try to expand efforts to stop sex trafficking and protect our children from broadcast obscenity.

MARRIAGE FRENCH STYLE

CIVIL UNIONS

Economic conservatives in the Republican Party see no problem with Civil Unions believing that legitimizing sodomy under a government contract will not affect heterosexual marriages. They better think again. In 1999 the French created the Pacte Civil de Solidarite (PaCS) which in English is Civil Solidarity Pact. The PaCS granted those who signed them most of the privileges of marriage, including forcing companies to give vacations at the same time for the "partners". Five years later the newspaper La Monde declares the PaCS a "triumph." According to a French Parliament report 60 percent of the PaCS were concluded by heterosexual couples. "With its recognition in the civil code, the PaCS is putting an end to the monopoly marriage used to have in organizing the common social life of any two persons," the report gleefully concluded. The French government is happy because the weaker the family unit the stronger the state. Europe is moving fast toward totalitarianism with censorship increasing in virtually every aspect of society. European governments regularly jail people for their opinions, particularly if they are socially conservatives. Republicans who favor Civil Unions don't understand that such legally recognized alternatives to marriage hasten the death of the family wherever they are enacted.

CHRISTMAS AT RFC

RFC CHRISTMAS STORE

http://gallery.bcentral.com/Gallery/ProductListing.aspx?GID=4906989&Dept=215746 Our Christmas store is still open and in-stock items ordered this weekend will be shipped first class and will arrive by Christmas according to the Post Office. The 20th is the cut off date for First Class mail delivery for Christmas. We can still ship by one or two day air until the 23rd. So far, the most popular gift at the RFC store has been handmade olive oil complexion soap made by Christian families on the West Bank who have no other source of income. Because of our work in the Holy Land, and also with the defense of the public display of the Ten Commandments in the United States, we are offering the Ten Commandments etched in Jerusalem stone. The RFC store offers Christmas ornaments and inspirational ties for men as well. Proceeds from sales at our Internet store assist us in our work both in the United States and internationally. AND: we still have copies of my first book, My Life Without God , detailing my life in an atheist home before  becoming a Christian. Our store is located at www.rfcstore.com.

William J. Murray, Chairman

Religious Freedom Coalition, P.O. Box 77511, Washington, DC 20013. Phone: (202) 543-0300

Are you planning tax deductible gifts for 2004? It is now possible to donate to specific projects of the RFC, both domestic and International. To make a contribution to our work click here .

Please address all comments and questions to support

TO SUBSCRIBE OR BE REMOVED CLICK HERE

This publication is a service of the Religious Freedom Coalition (RFC) and does not necessarily reflect its views. It is neither an attempt to aid nor hinder the passage of any specific legislation nor an attempt to assist or defeat any candidate running for public office.

Religious Freedom Coalition * Copyright - 2004

Email this Article Printer Friendly Version

Related Articles
- Week Ending November 1, 2002
- Week Ending October 25, 2002
- Week Ending November 8, 2002
- Week Ending October 18, 2002
- Week Ending November 15, 2002
- Week Ending November 22nd
- Week Ending November 29th
- December 2002 Newsletter
- Week Ending December 6, 2002
- Week Ending December 13, 2002
- Week Ending December 20th, 2002
- Week Ending December 27, 2002
- Week Ending January 17, 2003
- Week Ending January 10, 2003
- Week Ending January 24th
- Week Ending January 31st
- Week Ending February 7, 2003
- Week Ending February 14, 2003
- Week Ending February 21, 2003
- Week Ending February 28, 2003
- Week Ending March 7th
- Week Ending March 14, 2003
- Week Ending March 21, 2003
- Week Ending March 28, 2003
- Week Ending April 4, 2003
- Week Ending April 11, 2003
- Week Ending April 18, 2003
- Week Ending April 25, 2003
- Week Ending May 2, 2003
- Week Ending May 9, 2003
- Week Ending May 16, 2003
- Week Ending May 23, 2003
- Week Ending May 30, 2003 - Washington, D.C.
- Week Ending June 6, 2003 - Washington, D.C.
- Week Ending June 13, 2003
- Week Ending June 20, 2003
- Week Ending June 27, 2003
- Week Ending July 4, 2003
- Week Ending July 11, 2003
- Week Ending July 18, 2003
- Week Ending July 25, 2003
- Week Ending August 1, 2003
- Week Ending August 8, 2003
- Week Ending August 15, 2003
- Week Ending August 22, 2003
- Week Ending August 29, 2003
- Week Ending September 5, 2003
- Week Ending September 12, 2003
- Week Ending September 19, 2003
- Week Ending September 26, 2003
- WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 3, 2003
- Week Ending October 10, 2003
- Week Ending October 17, 2003
- Week Ending October 24, 2003
- Week Ending October 31, 2003
- Week Ending November 7, 2003
- Week Ending November 14, 2003
- Week Ending November 21, 2003
- Week Ending November 28, 2003
- December, 2003 Newsletter
- Week Ending December 5, 2003
- Week Ending December 12, 2003
- Week Ending December 19, 2003
- Week Ending December 26, 2003
- Week Ending January 2, 2004
- Week Ending January 9, 2004
- Week Ending January 16, 2004
- Week Ending January 23, 2004
- Week Ending January 30, 2004
- Weekend Ending February 6, 2004
- Week Ending February 13, 2004
- Constitution Restoration Act of 2004
- Week Ending Feburary 20, 2004
- Week Ending February 27, 2004
- Religious Freedom Quarterly January-March 2004
- Week Ending March 5, 2004
- Week Ending March 12, 2004
- WEEK ENDING MARCH 19, 2004
- Week Ending March 26, 2004
- Week Ending April 2, 2004
- Week Ending April 9, 2004
- Week Ending April 16, 2004
- WEEK ENDING APRIL 23, 2004
- Week Ending April 30, 2004
- Week Ending May 7, 2004
- Religious Freedom Quarterly ... April - June 2004
- Week Ending May 14, 2004
- Week Ending May 21, 2004
- Week Ending May 28, 2004
- Week Ending June 4, 2004
- Week Ending June 11, 2004
- Week Ending June 18, 2004
- Week Ending June 25, 2004
- Week Ending July 2, 2004
- Week Ending July 9, 2004
- Week Ending July 16, 2004
- Week Ending July 23, 2004
- Chairman's Report for July 28, 2004
- Chairman's Report for July 9, 2004
- Week Ending July 30, 2004
- Week Ending August 6, 2004
- Week Ending August 13, 2004
- Week Ending August 20, 2004
- Week Ending September 3, 2004
- Week Ending September 10, 2004
- Chairman's Report for September 8, 2004 Available
- Chairman's Report for August 17, 2004 Available
- Week Ending September 17, 2004
- Week Ending September 24, 2004
- Week Ending October 1, 2004
- Week Ending October 8, 2004
- Week Ending October 15, 2004
- Week Ending October 22, 2004
- Chairman's Report for October 20, 2004
- Week Ending October 29, 2004
- Week Ending November 5, 2004
- Chairman's Report for November 10, 2004
- Week Ending November 12, 2004
- Week Ending November 19, 2004
- Week Ending November 26, 2004
- Week Ending December 3, 2004
- Week Ending December 10, 2004
- Week Ending December 24, 2004
- Chairman's Report for December 16, 2004
- FINAL 2004 UPDATE
- Week Ending January 7, 2005
- Week Ending January 14, 2005
- Week Ending January 21, 2005
- Week Ending January 26, 2005
- Week Ending February 4, 2005
- Week Ending February 11, 2005
- Week Ending February 18, 2005
- Week Ending February 25, 2005
- Week Ending March 4, 2005
- Week Ending March 11, 2005
- Week Ending March 18, 2005
- Week Ending March 25, 2005
- Week Ending April 1, 2005
- Week Ending April 8, 2005
- Week Ending April 15, 2005
- Week Ending April 22, 2005
- Week Ending April 29, 2005
- Week Ending May 6, 2005
- Week Ending May 13, 2005
- Week Ending May 20, 2005
- SPECIAL MIDWEEK UPDATE
- WEEK ENDING MAY 27, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JUNE 3, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JUNE 10, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JUNE 17, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JUNE 24, 2005
- WEEK ENDING JULY 1, 2005
- Week Ending July 8, 2005
- Week Ending July 15, 2005
- Week Ending July 22, 2005
- Week Ending July 29, 2005
- Week Ending August 5, 2005
- Week Ending August 12, 2005
- Week Ending August 19, 2005
- Week Ending August 26, 2005
- Week Ending September 2, 2005
- Week Ending September 9, 2005
- Week Ending September 16, 2005
- Week Ending September 23, 2005
- Week Ending September 30, 2005
- WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 07, 2005
- Week Ending October 14, 2005
- Week Ending October 21, 2005
- Week Ending October 28, 2005
- Week Ending November 4, 2005
- Week Ending November 11, 2005
- Week Ending November 18, 2005
- Week Ending November 25, 2005
- Week Ending December 2, 2005
- Week Ending December 9, 2005
- Chairman's Report for December 17, 2005
- Week Ending December 16, 2005 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 23, 2005
- Week Ending December 30, 2005
- Week Ending January 6. 2006
- Week Ending January 13, 2006
- Week Ending January 20, 2006
- Week Ending January 27, 2006
- Week Ending February 3, 2006
- Week Ending February 10, 2006
- Week Ending February 17, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 24, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 3, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 10, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 17, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 24, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 31, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 7, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 14, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 21, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 28, 2006
- Week Ending May 5, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 12, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 19, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 26, 2006
- Week Ending June 2, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 9, 2006
- Week Ending June 16, 2006
- Week Ending June 24, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 30, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 7, 2006
- Week Ending July 14, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 21, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 28, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 4, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 11, 2006- From Washington D.C.
- Week Ending August 18, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 25, 2006 - From Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 1, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 8, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 15, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 22, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 29, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 6, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Weeking Ending October 13, 2006
- Week Ending October 20, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 27, 2006
- Week Ending November 3, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 10, 2006
- Week Ending November 17, 2006
- Week Ending November 24, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 1, 2006
- Week Ending December 15, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 8, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Chairman's Report for December 18, 2006
- Week Ending December 22, 2006
- Week Ending December 28, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 5, 2006 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 12, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 19, 2007
- Week Ending January 26, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 2, 2007
- Week Ending February 9, 2007
- Week Ending February, 16, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 23, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 2, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 9, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 16, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 23, 2007- Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 30, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 6, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 13, 2007
- Week Ending April 20, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 27, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 18, 2007
- Week Ending May 11, 2007
- Week Ending May 4, 2007
- Week Ending May 25, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 1, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 8, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 15, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 22, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 29, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 6, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 13, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 27, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 3, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 10, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 17, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 24, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 31, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 7, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 14, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 21, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 5, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 12, 2007
- Week Ending October 19, 2007 - Amman, Jordan
- Week Ending October 26, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 2, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 9, 2007
- Week Ending November 16, 2007
- Week Ending November 30, 2007
- Week Ending December 7, 2007
- Week Ending December 14, 2007
- Week Ending December 21, 2007
- Christmas Week 2007
- Week Ending January 4, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 11, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 18, 2007 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending January 25, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 1, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 8, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 15, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending February 22, 2008
- Week Ending February 29, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 7, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 14, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 21, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending March 28, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 4, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 11, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 18, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 25, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 9, 2008
- Week Ending May 2, 2008
- Week Ending May 16, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 23, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 30, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 6, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 13, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 20, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 27, 2008
- Week Ending July 4, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 11, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 18, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 25, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 1, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 8, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 15, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 22, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 29, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 5, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 12, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 19, 2008
- Week Ending October 3, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 26, 2008
- Week Ending October 10, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 17, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 24, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 31, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 7, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 14, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 21, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 5, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 12, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 19, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Christmas Week, 2008 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending April 3, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 1, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 8, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 15, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 22, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending May 29, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 5, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 12, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 19, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending June 26, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 3, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 10, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 17, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 24, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending July 31, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 8, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 14, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 21, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending August 28, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 4, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week ending September 11, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week ending September 18, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending September 25, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 2, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 9, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 16, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending October 23, 2009
- Week Ending October 30, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 6, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending November 13, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week ending November 20, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 5, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 11, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Week Ending December 18, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Chairman's Report for December 9, 2009
- Christmas Week, 2009 - Washington, DC
- December 31, 2009 - Washington, DC
- Chairman's Report for December 31, 2009

Home | Make this my Home Page
Give a Gift | Online Store | Legislation | Newsletter | Subscribe | About RFC | Archives | Search


 Religious Freedom Coalition
P.O. Box 77511
Washington, DC 20013


General Correspondence: support@rfcnet.org
Special Events: events@rfcnet.org
 DC Advocacy Office: (202) 543-0300
Administration: (202) 742-8990