This is the best news all week! Politico has the story on the Senate negotiations. It’s looking good for our side.
Senate Republicans blocked a last-ditch effort by Democrats Wednesday to extend the federal estate tax for two months and thereby avoid outright repeal Jan. 1.
Barring some reversal, the standoff means the levy will drop to zero for the first time in decades on New Year’s Day…
News release from Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Republican Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee -
For IMMEDIATE Release
Ros-Lehtinen Calls on Ugandan Government to Reject Impending Anti-Gay Legislation
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today called on the Ugandan government to reject legislation being considered now in the Ugandan legislature to impose harsh jail sentences and even the death penalty on some homosexuals living there. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
“I am deeply saddened and troubled that such blatantly ignorant and hate-filled legislation would see the light of day anywhere in today’s world. It needs to be stopped in its tracks immediately.
“Ugandan leaders must come to their senses and reject this impending massive blow to human rights and decency in their country.
“As I stated in a letter to Secretary of State Clinton, it is deplorable that the Ugandan government would consider singling out any group of people – in this case, gays – for legalized condemnation and harassment.
“Also troubling is the effect that such fear-mongering could have on the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda.
“I have received assurances from the State Department that the Administration is equally concerned. I intend to ensure that the U.S. follows through with appropriate action if this measure takes effect.”
Note: In October, Ros-Lehtinen and three other Members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Secretary of State Clinton expressing grave concern over the legislation, stating, “This egregious bill represents one of the most extreme anti-equality measures ever proposed in any country and would create a legal pretext for depriving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Ugandans of their liberty, and even their lives.”
In a response dated November 25, 2009, the Department of State wrote, “the United States has urged Uganda to take all necessary measures to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, harassment, or discrimination,” and pledged to continue to monitor the legislation’s progress.
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GOProud Praises Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack for Vote Against Discriminatory Death Tax
Group calls on her Democratic opponent, Steve Pougnet to“come out of the closet” on tax
Today, GOProud, the only national organization for gay conservatives and their allies, praised Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack for her vote against HR 4154, a bill that would create a permanent death tax with a top rate of 45% and an exemption of $3.5 million. Jimmy LaSalvia, GOProud’s Executive Director, said, “Congresswoman Bono Mack once again took a strong stand against discrimination against gay and lesbian families.”
The death tax discriminates against gay and lesbian couples for whom there is no marital exemption. Because of the death tax, gay and lesbian couples who own businesses and homes together are often forced to liquidate these assets when one partner dies. LaSalvia continued, “In addition to discriminating against gay and lesbian families, the death tax is also a job killer. It is the height of hypocrisy for President Obama to host a ‘jobs’ summit while his party moves to pass legislation that will cripple small businesses and family farms.”
The group also calls on Steve Pougnet, Democrat candidate for Congress, to take publicly take a position on this critical issue issue. LaSalvia said, “It’s time for Steve Pougnet to come out of the closet on the death tax. Is Pougnet willing to stand up to the tax and spend wing of his own party and stand up for small businesses and gay families? Voters in this district deserve an answer.”
Marriage bill fails in NY Senate. Read about it here.
This good news is just in from the DC Agenda -
D.C. City Council members voted 11-2 on Tuesday to pass a same-sex marriage bill, advancing the measure closer to final passage.
The bill must pass a second vote before it reaches the desk of Mayor Adrian Fenty, who has pledged to sign it, and is sent to Congress for a required review. The second vote could come later this month.