• Hi Guest - Come check out all of the new CP Merch Shop! Now you can support CigarPass buy purchasing hats, apparel, and more...
    Click here to visit! here...

Where Do Your Senators Stand

preembargo said:
This is a legislative issue that affects all of us, not a Political issue. Partisanship is irrelevant to this issue and should not be discussed.
Click to expand...


...or... it differs in that Mike seems to be keeping a running list of how folks (gov't officals) are siding on the matte of a tax increase.
 
I called Mel Martinez - R-FL . Mel's office says that he against the tax. Bill Nelson's office did not answer the phone.

I haven't seen this mentioned, but regardless of what anyone says, this is not for the children, it is for big business; insurance and pharmaceuticals. If you don't think so, watch the end of the commercials and see who is sponsoring SCHIP.

I did happen to go into a B&M today and they asked me to sign the petition which will go the the Senators.

Ken
 
This roster is meant to be a resource to inform members of the direction the Senate as a whole is going so that we as a community can take appropriate action. We can't rely on a Presidential veto to kill this; with enough votes a veto can be overridden. Encouraging members to exercise a constitutional right should not be a source of controversy.
 
I found the tax bill if you want to read it..

Heath Act S.1834

Now, what is really scary is this...

Under Bill Summary & Status file

S.1834
Title: A bill to improve the health of Americans through the gradual elimination of tobacco products.
Sponsor: Sen Enzi, Michael B. [WY] (introduced 7/19/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

We are watching Cigar Prohibition slowly happen...
 
Swifty said:
tsmckenney said:
Why speculate any further?


MN looks like this:

Norm Coleman: FOR, he has a weak statement to accompany his stance: I don't support raising taxes, but if it is the only way to fund the program...blah.

Amy Klobochar: FOR, although this isn't confirmed, as her office told me she didn't have a statement addressing it yet. I'm 99.9% sure she will support the new tax.
Click to expand...


That is interesting since davela received this response to a letter that he sent Norm.



>
> Dear Mr. Larson :
>
>
>
> Thank you for taking the time to contact me with your concerns regarding
> tobacco tax increases. You will be pleased to know that this provision
> was not included in final 2008 Budget.
>
>
>
> I voted against the budget because it would impose the largest tax hike
> in American history. This budget would allow important pro-growth tax
> policies to expire - policies that have resulted in 42 straight months
> of job growth, created more than 7.5 million jobs, generated record
> revenues for the Treasury and provided more money in the pocketbooks of
> Minnesota 's hardworking families, small businesses and seniors.
>
>
>
> Please know that I will continue to support policies that are fiscally
> responsible and do not create burdens for our hard-working families.
>
>
>
> Thank you once again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to
> contact me on any issue of concern to you and your family.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
> Norm Coleman
> United States Senate
Click to expand...
I got that one the first time I e-mailed him while it was still in markup in committee. I don't think he (or his office) was aware that it was coming up again. I haven't received a reply to my second e-mail, but considering his father died last night and his office was closed today (according to the news), I can't really blame him.

When I called last week they simply thanked me for the phone call.

I could see him supporting it. Voting against this bill would likely kill him (politically) in this state and then we'd have Al Franken in his seat! :angry:

It stinks that the election will likely decide his vote rather than his usual moderate stance on tax increases, but I guess that's the way it goes...:(
 
vin# said:
I think I'm going to email all of the senators on that list.
Click to expand...

To be honest, emailing everybody on the list or even calling every Senator is not a good idea. You should stick with contacting your own. Trust me.

-Mark
 
Lopaka said:
I found the tax bill if you want to read it..

Heath Act S.1834

Now, what is really scary is this...

Under Bill Summary & Status file

S.1834
Title: A bill to improve the health of Americans through the gradual elimination of tobacco products.
Sponsor: Sen Enzi, Michael B. [WY] (introduced 7/19/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

We are watching Cigar Prohibition slowly happen...
Click to expand...


...and here's what was said upon starting the bill:

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - July 19, 2007)
Page: S9615
Mr. OBAMA. Mr. President, today I reintroduce legislation initially inspired by...
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise to introduce legislation to enable...
Page: S9616
Ms. Reo's husband, Cosmo Reo, worked at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory as an...
S. 1820
Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, supporting our children and early childhood...
Page: S9617
Mr. OBAMA. Mr. President, I rise today to reintroduce the Hospital Quality...
S. 1825
Page: S9618
Page: S9619
S. 1826
Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, implementation of the Medicare prescription drug...
Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, earlier today I joined with Senators Cochran...
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a small but important bill...
Page: S9620
Mr. LEAHY. I am pleased to introduce the Protect Our Children First Act of...
Page: S9621
S. 1829
Page: S9622
Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise today to address a serious and deadly health...
Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, this ad calls for the recruitment of scientists to...
Page: S9623
Health Science Research for Harm Reduction--New Positions at Philip Morris USA
Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, today I introduce, along with Senators Levin...
Page: S9624


I wonder if the tobacco lobbyist's saw this line!?

....wow - I saw this too: "(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Help End Addiction to Lethal Tobacco Habits Act' or the `HEALTH Act'."
 
I wrote emails and called both Senators and my Congressman. I noted in both that California voters recently voted against opressive tobacco taxes in the last election and any "YES" vote would be directly contrary to the will of the people that they represent.

Here is what one of my Senators replied with:

Dear Mr. Ewing:

Thank you for contacting me regarding an increase in the Federal tobacco tax. I appreciate the time you took to write and welcome the opportunity to respond.

I have been a strong supporter of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which is a federal-state partnership designed to provide health insurance coverage to low-income children. Studies have shown that 62% of uninsured children are eligible for a publicly-funded health program, but are not enrolled. To improve this situation, I have supported legislation to provide outreach to increase the enrollment and participation of eligible children in these health programs.

On July 19, 2007, the Senate Finance Committee approved legislation by a vote of 17-4 to reauthorize SCHIP. This legislation included a provision to increase the federal tobacco tax, with all revenue generated by the increase dedicated to the reauthorization and expansion of SCHIP. While I am not a member of that Committee, I have supported efforts to increase the federal tobacco tax to fund SCHIP in the past.

Please know that I understand your concerns about the possible effects of increasing the Federal tobacco tax. While we are not in agreement on this issue, I value your input and will keep your comments in mind when the Senate considers legislation to reauthorize SCHIP.

Again, thank you for writing. If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.

Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
Click to expand...

Here is what my Congressman from the House replied with:

Dear Jason:

Thank you for contacting me regarding an increase in the federal tax on cigarettes to pay for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). It is good to hear from you.

SCHIP was established in 1997 to provide $40 billion over ten years to states for health care coverage to low-income, uninsured children whose income levels were higher than Medicaid eligibility limits. The authorization for SCHIP expires at the end of 2007. The Administration's 2008 budget proposes reauthorizing the SCHIP program for five years. The goal is to maintain current enrollment levels for targeted low-income children by increasing SCHIP allotments by approximately $5 billion over five years. At this time there is no legislation before the House of Representatives to fund the SCHIP program though an increase in the federal cigarette tax.

Additionally, I believe tax increases of any kind should not be relied on to pay for increased federal spending. Tax increases are a burden for Americans and detrimental to the economy. Legislation to ease the tax burden on Americans and small businesses coupled with true reforms to eliminate inefficient or duplicative government programs is a better way to ensure our priority programs can be fully funded. As such, I will continue to support these policies and oppose federal tax increases.

Again, thank you for your letter. If I may be of service on any other federal matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.



Sincerely,

John T. Doolittle
Member of Congress
Click to expand...

I will not be voting for either of my liberal Senators - not that I ever had before. However, Doolittle will continue to get my vote.

- Jason
 
I just saw this video of Rocky Patel. I haven't seen it posted yet and I think many of you may find it interesting.

Rocky Patel video

I found a link to it on the Famous Smoke shop webpage.
 
Confirmed responses so far are not looking good.

FOR- 12
AGAINST- 4
UNDECIDED- 2
AWAITING RESPONSE- 82

If you haven't contacted your Senators yet and voiced your position, you really need to.
 
CSPAN2 is is covering it now. You should tune in.

edit to add:
Looks like they've moved on to other business as I was posting.
 
My response to Senator Hutchison


Senator Hutchison,

Though we have had differing perspectives on various issues in the past, I
have always been a strong supporter of you. Senator, you have always had
my vote. That is until now. Because of your position on funding the S-CHIP
program I can no longer support you in any future office you might run
for. It will be difficult to vote for your opponent when you run for
Governor of the State of Texas but you leave me no other option.

I hope that you will reconsider your position so that I can continue to
support you in the future



Sincerely,


Michael Beach
Click to expand...
 
Still no response from the MI senators Levin and Stabenow. I suspect they support this crappy bill as Stabenow sits on the originating committee :angry:
 
So this just in from Sen. Levin of Michigan:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). I appreciate hearing your views on this program.

The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L.105-33) created SCHIP as a part of the Social Security Act. SCHIP allows states to insure children whose families are above Medicaid eligibility levels. Much like Medicaid, states are given flexibility in designing SCHIP programs. During fiscal year 2005 (FY05), approximately 6.1 million children were enrolled in SCHIP. With the authorization for SCHIP expiring and the FY07 funding for SCHIP expected to fall $745 million short, I believe it is vital that Congress work to not only reauthorize but also improve SCHIP.

In order to reduce the number of uninsured, we must expand income eligibility within existing programs. We must make the parents of our nation’s 9 million uninsured children aware of the many programs for which their children are eligible, such as SCHIP. No person, young or old, should be denied access to adequate health care. On July 19, 2007, the Senate Committee on Finance approved a proposal to reauthorize SCHIP and increase funding for the program by $35 billion over five years.

We have a moral obligation as a nation to ensure that uninsured, low-income children have coverage. I am a strong supporter of SCHIP and will continue to fight to ensure that all children have access to quality health care. I will keep your views in mind as this issue is considered in the Senate.

Sincerely,
Carl Levin

I note that he appreciates hearing my views on this and will keep my views in mind...bastid!!!!

Sigh,
antaean
 
Well, it seems my lobbying efforts were worth a great big ZERO, as usual. I won't quit trying though. Unfortunately, I cannot afford to send a $10K "campaign contribution" along with my emails and phone calls.

From the news reports, it seems this is "all about the kids" and have not seen anything except the cigarette tax increase. Apparently, reporters don't smoke cigars...

Cheers (soon to be drinking heavily),
antaean
 
My Senators split. Sunnunu is up for re-election and the polls show him being beaten handily by someone who hasn't even announced their candidacy. What a bum. Normally, he would have never voted for this. Gregg, however, made a gallant effort to derail this bill.

Doc.
 
Devil Doc said:
My Senators split. Sunnunu is up for re-election and the polls show him being beaten handily by someone who hasn't even announced their candidacy. What a bum. Normally, he would have never voted for this. Gregg, however, made a gallant effort to derail this bill.

Doc.
Click to expand...

I'm very surprised with Sununu on this one. I'm also surprised to hear he's in trouble, why are people mad at him?

I actually met him once, he came to Connecticut as the special guest for a fund raiser for one of our State Rep. candidates back in 2002 or 2004, I can't remember which year it was. He regular license plate (not his US Senate one) is a two digit plate which I think is pretty cool. :D

What pisses me off to no end about this liberal bullshit is that if it's such a great idea then have EVERYONE pay for it, don't carve out a certain, select group (smokers), instead make everyone pay for it by increasing the federal income tax.

To make matters worse, they top it off with their bleeding heart $hit about "improving health through the elimination of tobacco products." What an absolute crock of lies and bullshit from the liberals. Hey while you do-gooders are at it, how about taxing the living $hit out of fast food in the interest of "improving health?" These scumbags know that "sin taxes" are politically safer than more widespread tax increases for liberal crap which would get them tossed out of office.

This is what happens when the country elects Democrats and gives them the majority in the US Senate and Congress. And yeah, this is indeed a "partisan" issue because this never would have seen the light of day if the Republicans still had majorities in both chambers.
 
coventrycat86 said:
Devil Doc said:
My Senators split. Sununu is up for re-election and the polls show him being beaten handily by someone who hasn't even announced their candidacy. What a bum. Normally, he would have never voted for this. Gregg, however, made a gallant effort to derail this bill.

Doc.
Click to expand...

I'm very surprised with Sununu on this one. I'm also surprised to hear he's in trouble, why are people mad at him?I actually met him once, he came to Connecticut as the special guest for a fund raiser for one of our State Rep. candidates back in 2002 or 2004, I can't remember which year it was. He regular license plate (not his US Senate one) is a two digit plate which I think is pretty cool. :D
Click to expand...
People here are pretty fed up with W. They see Sununu as being in lock-step with Bush's policies. The last election gave control of the entire government to the Dems. The first time since the civil war. Sunnunu is next on the chopping block. If a very popular former Gov. Shaheen decides to run, she'll beat him handily in my opinion.

Doc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top