Congress

WASHINGTON - More than 100 leaders of religious groups are urging Congress to reject legislation that would prohibit them from hiring only fellow believers if they accept federal funds.

Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, says taxpayers shouldn't fund religious charities that discriminate against nonbelievers in hiring.

But officials from Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish groups argue that while they serve people of any religion, it's the shared faith of their employees that motivates and defines their mission...

(CNSNews.com) – A nationwide survey of 1,000 likely voters found that 59 percent of Democrats think that members of Congress should consider the opinions of homosexual advocacy groups over the opinions of top military commanders when considering a repeal of the law prohibiting homosexuality in the military.

The survey also showed that half of Democrats support penalizing soldiers opposed to homosexuality, including those who oppose it for religious reasons.

“Americans understand that the current push for sexual minorities in the military is motivated by politics, not principle,” Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, said in a statement about the poll results on Tuesday...

(CNSNews.com) - A Republican congressman says all bills introduced in Congress should include a statement setting forth the specific constitutional authority under which a law is being enacted.

Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) says his Enumerated Powers Act will force Congress to re-examine the role of the national government and curb its "ever-expanding reach."

"For too long, the federal government has operated without Constitutional restraint, creating ineffective and costly programs and massive deficits year after year," Shadegg writes on AmericaSpeakingOut, a Republican Web site that seeks ideas from the American people...

(CNSNews.com) – With less than three months until the November midterm election, 72 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of Congress, with 45 percent having a “very unfavorable” view, according to a recent Rasmussen poll.

The national telephone survey of 1,000 adults found that just 23 percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of members of Congress, with 72 percent of respondents having an unfavorable view of legislators, according to the poll findings released last week.

Only five percent had a “very favorable” impression of Congress, and almost half, 45 percent, had a “very unfavorable” view, the highest in the very unfavorable category...

The head of the Republican Party on Friday urged members to step up their efforts for the fall elections amid cautious confidence about the GOP winning several governorships and perhaps seizing control of Congress from President Barack Obama's party.

"We can't rest now," GOP chairman Michael Steele told the Republican National Committee. "Everything we've been doing, and all that we must do, needs to be ramped up and maxed out in the next three months."

"Sleep? What's that? We can't sleep until November 3rd," he added...

RICHMOND (AP) — Virginia's lawsuit challenging the Obama administration's health care reform law cleared its first legal hurdle Monday as a federal judge ruled the law raises a host of complex constitutional issues.

U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson's decision stemmed from Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II's claims that Congress exceeded its authority under the Constitution's Commerce Clause by requiring citizens to buy health insurance or pay a penalty.

Judge Hudson's ruling denied the Justice Department's attempt to have the lawsuit dismissed, saying further hearings must take place before he can weigh the merits of the case. An Oct. 18 hearing previously was set in the case...

Washington (CNSNews.com) – Business advocates are hoping Congress scraps a tax provision in the health care overhaul law that they say is overly burdensome to smaller companies.

So far, Senate and House Republicans have pushed for repeal of this specific provision of the health care bill. Even Democrats asked that the Internal Revenue Service move cautiously in enforcement of the provision.

Currently, businesses and other entities are required to report on Form 1099 any service-related transactions over $600 involving an unincorporated business, such as a solo proprietor, partnership and LLC...

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new poll finds Republican voters are more excited about the upcoming November congressional elections than are Democrats. That enthusiasm gap has produced victories for pro-life candidates already in off-year elections and it could result in more victories and potentially retaking one or both houses of Congress.

The new national survey from the Public Policy Polling Institute, which leans Democratic, finds "enthusiasm gap is still out there and certainly a problem Democrats are going to have to contend with this fall."

The survey found 66% of Republicans 'very excited' about voting this fall to only 51% of Democrats, for a 15 point gap...

The Tea Party just got an official voice in Washington, thanks to a leading Republican representative who recently filed the necessary paperwork to create a Tea Party Caucus for the grassroots group.

Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota) says her newly formed House Tea Party Caucus was approved Monday, so she plans to invite everyday Americans to talk to members about Tea Party issues. She filed the necessary paperwork last week and requested that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) approve the caucus.

"The purpose is to listen," Bachmann reports. "Congress will not be driving the Tea Party. We are not a voice for the Tea Party, nor are we vouching for the Tea Party. We are simply listening because the main thing we've heard from people is that Congress is not listening to the people"....

Voters will go to the polls this November with control of Congress at stake. Yet most voters say when they pull that lever, they will be sending a message to the White House, according to a Fox News poll.

The poll, released Friday, finds that 41 percent of voters will cast their ballots to register opposition to President Obama's policies. A third (33 percent) will vote to express their support. The policies of the administration will not be a factor for 20 percent of voters.

Most Republicans — 72 percent — describe their midterm vote as expressing opposition to the Obama administration. That's a bit higher than the 64 percent of Democrats who say their vote will express support. One in 10 Democrats will vote to express opposition to the president (11 percent)...