Extended Unemployment Benefits.This amendment to H.R. 3030 (Community Service Block Grants) would authorize a six-month federal program to provide an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits for people who have exhausted their 26 weeks of state jobless benefits. According to Congressional Quarterly for February 7, 2004, this federal unemployment benefits amendment is part of “an election year strategy by Democrats and labor advocates to try to attach worker-related legislation to other bills.” The House adopted this amendment to H.R. 3030 on February 4, 2004 by a vote of 227 to 179 (Roll Call 18). Payment of unemployment benefits is an unconstitutional activity of the federal government.John Tanner voted FOR this bill.108-3 (Source: The New American, July12, 2004)

Child Nutrition Programs. This bill (H.R. 3873) would reauthorize through fiscal 2008 several child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the After-School Snack Program. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that H.R. 3873 would increase direct spending on these programs by about $226 million over the 2004-2008 period. Since obesity in school-age children has greatly increased since 1980, the school lunch program reauthorization bill has become a popular vehicle for proposals aimed at reducing obesity. This bill would require schools to develop “wellness policies” that establish nutritional guidelines for all food sold in schools; however, it stops short of setting mandatory federal standards. The House agreed to the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3873 on March 24, 2004 by a vote of 419 to 5 (Roll Call 82). Providing food for citizens is an unconstitutional activity of the federal government. A two-thirds majority of those present and voting (283 in this case) is required for passage under a suspension of the rules.John Tanner voted FOR this bill.108-3 (Source: The New American, July12, 2004)

North American Development Bank. This bill (H.R. 254), as amended by the Senate, would implement a U.S.-Mexico agreement that would allow the North American Development Bank (NAD Bank) to make below-market-loans. It would also extend the area in Mexico served by the bank to a zone along the border 186 miles wide (compared to the current 62 miles wide). The NAD Bank was established by the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to finance development on both sides of the U.S.- Mexico border. The bank is funded by both the United States and Mexico. The House agreed to a motion to suspend the rules and passed H.R. 254 on March 25, 2004 by a vote of 377 to 48 (Roll Call 87). Foreign aid to Mexico in the form of below-market-loans funded by U.S. taxpayers is unconstitutional. A two-thirds majority of those present and voting (284 in this case) is required for passage under a suspension of the rules.John Tanner voted FOR this bill.108-3 (Source: The New American, July12, 2004)

“Marriage Penalty” Relief. This bill (H.R. 4181) would permanently eliminate the “marriage penalty” by making the standard deduction double that of single taxpayers and by increasing the upper limit of the 15 percent bracket for married couples to twice that of singles. The House passed H.R. 4181 on April 28, 2004 by a vote of 323 to 95 (Roll Call 138). This bill would make permanent the tax savings of the “marriage penalty” relief.John Tanner voted AGAINST this bill.108-3 (Source: The New American, July12, 2004)

Abortion at Military Facilities.This amendment to H.R. 4200 (Fiscal 2005 Defense Authorization) would allow women who are in the military or are military dependents to obtain supposedly privately-funded abortions in overseas military facilities. During the debate on this amendment, Jim Ryun (R-Kansas) correctly stated: “Although this amendment is presented by the other side as providing for solely self-funded abortions, the fact is the American taxpayer will be forced to pay for the use of the military facility, the procurement of additional equipment needed to perform abortions, and the use of military personnel to perform abortions.” The House rejected this amendment to H.R. 4200 on May 19, 2004 by a vote of 202 to 221 (Roll Call 197). All forms of abortion constitute the murder of unborn children.John Tanner voted FOR this bill.108-3 (Source: The New American, July12, 2004)

Defunding U.S. Participation in UNESCO. This amendment to the appropriations bill for the Commerce, Justice, and State Departments (H.R. 4754) would effectively end U.S. participation in UNESCO by defunding it. Introduced by Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), the amendment stated: “None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to pay expenses for any United States contribution to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).” The U.S. rejoined UNESCO in 2002 after withdrawing from it in 1984. The House rejected Paul’s amendment on July 7, 2004 by a vote of 135 to 283 (Roll Call 333). Our national independence must be preserved by getting out and staying out of the UN and all of its agencies, including UNESCO.John Tanner voted AGAINST this bill.108-4 (Source: The New American, November 1, 2004)

Defunding U.S. Participation in the United Nations.In addition to sponsoring an amendment to defund U.S. participation in UNESCO, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) also proposed an amendment to defund U.S. participation in the UN as a whole. The latter amendment stated: “None of the funds made available in this Act [H.R. 4754] may be used to pay any United States contribution to the United Nations or any affiliated agency of the United Nations.” The House rejected Paul’s broader defunding amendment on July 7, 2004 by a vote of 83 to 335 (Roll Call 335). Blocking U.S. funding of the UN would be a significant step toward getting out of the world body and fully restoring U.S. independence.John Tanner voted AGAINST this bill.108-4 (Source: The New American, November 1, 2004)

Agriculture Appropriations. This bill (H.R. 4766) would appropriate $83.7 billion for agriculture, rural development, and nutrition programs in fiscal 2005. Over half ($50.2 billion) of the funding in the so-called agriculture appropriations bill would be for domestic food and nutrition programs, including $33.6 billion for the food stamp program and $11.3 billion for child nutrition programs. Another $27 billion would be for agriculture programs, including $16.5 billion for the Commodity Credit Corporation. The House passed H.R. 4766 on July 13, 2004 by a vote of 389 to 31 (Roll Call 370). Federal aid to farmers and federal food aid to individuals are unconstitutional activities of the federal government.John Tanner voted FOR this bill.108-4 (Source: The New American, November 1, 2004)

Millennium Challenge Account.During consideration of the foreign aid appropriations bill (H.R. 4818), Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) offered this amendment to eliminate all of the funding for the Millennium Challenge Account. H.R. 4818 would provide $1.25 billion for this account in fiscal 2005, 25 percent more than in fiscal 2004, for the purpose of rewarding nations for progress in human rights, economic policy, and democracy. During floor debate, Paul noted that this year-old program was originally viewed as “a transition from one form of foreign aid to another,” but it instead “was just added on.” The House rejected Paul’s amendment on July 15, 2004 by a vote of 41 to 379 (Roll Call 383). Foreign aid is unconstitutional.John Tanner voted AGAINST this bill.108-4 (Source: The New American, November 1, 2004)

Extending Tax Cuts. The final version (conference report) of this tax-cut legislation (H.R. 1308) would benefit most Americans by extending the life of several middle-class tax breaks set to expire at the end of this year. It would extend provisions providing relief from the “marriage penalty” through 2008, extend the $1,000 per child income tax credit through 2009, and keep a greater number of taxpayers in the 10 percent income tax bracket through 2010. It would also revive some expired business tax incentives. The House adopted the conference report on H.R. 1308 on September 23, 2004 by a vote of 339 to 65 (Roll Call 472). The bill would extend the life of tax cuts, benefiting a large number of Americans. John Tanner voted AGAINST this bill.108-4 (Source: The New American, November 1, 2004)

Permanent Repeal of Estate Tax.Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.) sponsored this bill (H.R. to permanently repeal the estate tax, commonly known as the “death tax.” Under current law, the estate tax will be phased out by 2010, but because of a “sunset” provision the tax will be fully eliminated for only one year before being reinstituted. Hulshof’s bill would eliminate the sunset clause, making the repeal permanent. The estate tax has forced many cash-poor but asset-rich individuals to liquidate their family farms and other small private businesses rather than bequeath those assets to their loved ones. The House passed this bill on April 13, 2005 by a vote of 272-162 (Roll Call 102). Permanently repealing the estate tax would be a constitutional tax cut that would benefit the elderly and their families.John Tanner voted AGAINST this bill.109-1 (Source: The New American, August 8, 2005)

Vocational/Technical Training.This bill (H.R. 366) would reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, which funds vocational and technical education programs. The bill would authorize $1.3 billion in fiscal 2006 and “such funds as necessary” in fiscal 2007-11. It would also merge Perkins funding with “Tech-Prep,” a program that provides certain math and science courses to high school students to “ease the transition” from high school to a vocational or community college. The House passed this bill on May 4, 2005 by a vote of 416-9 (Roll Call 154). Federal aid to education and job training programs is unconstitutional. The Senate had passed a similar measure two months earlier.John Tanner voted FOR this bill.109-1 (Source: The New American, August 8, 2005)

Supplemental Appropriations.The final version (conference report) of this supplemental appropriations bill (H.R. 1268) would add another $82 billion to the federal budget for fiscal 2005. The supplemental spending, even if needed and constitutional, should not have been added on to the annual federal budget after the fact, but should have been included as part of the regular appropriations process. The supplemental spending in this bill includes $75.9 billion for defense-related purposes, most of it for the military occupation of Iraq, and $907 million for tsunami victims, the latter clearly unconstitutional. One particularly objectionable element of this legislation is the REAL ID Act, which was added to the supplemental appropriations bill by the conference committee. The REAL ID Act would authorize the federal government to impose national standards for driver’s licenses and thereby develop a national ID system. The House adopted the final version of H.R. 1268 on May 5, 2005 by a vote of 368-58 (Roll Call 161). The bill contains both unconstitutional spending and the REAL ID Act. The Senate passed identical legislation five days later.John Tanner voted FOR this bill.109-1 (Source: The New American, August 8, 2005)

Embryonic Stem-cell Research.This bill (H.R. 810) would allow federal funds to be used for research on embryonic stem-cell lines, which can be created only by cannibalizing and destroying human embryos — innocent human life. Proponents contend that the research is needed to combat various diseases, but stem cells from sources other than embryos may provide more promising results, without killing some human beings for the supposed benefit of others. The House passed the bill on May 24, 2005 by a vote of 238-194 (Roll Call 204). The research would violate the right to life.John Tanner voted FOR this bill.109-1 (Source: The New American, August 8, 2005)

WTO Withdrawal. Representatives Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ron Paul (R-Texas) sponsored this measure (House Joint Resolution 27) to withdraw the United States from the World Trade Organization. The WTO is often portrayed as a “free trade” arrangement by its supporters, but it is actually an international bureaucracy that manages trade and imposes its rulings on member nations including the United States — even when those rulings are contrary to U.S. laws. In fact, U.S. membership in the WTO is unconstitutional, since under our Constitution, Congress — not an international body — “shall have the power … to regulate foreign commerce.” That power cannot be transferred short of a constitutional amendment. The House rejected the WTO withdrawal measure on June 9, 2005 by a vote of 86-338 (Roll Call 239).Our participation in the WTO is unconstitutional and threatens our sovereignty.John Tanner voted AGAINST this bill.109-1 (Source: The New American, August 8, 2005)

UN Dues Decrease. During consideration of the Commerce-Justice appropriations bill (H.R. 2862), Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) offered an amendment to cut the U.S. “contribution” to the United Nations by $218 million. The House rejected Hayworth’s amendment on June 15, 2005 by a vote of 124-304 (Roll Call 253). Reducing U.S. dues to the UN is a step toward defunding it and getting the U.S. out.John Tanner voted AGAINST this bill.109-1 (Source: The New American, August 8, 2005)

Mental Health Screening. During consideration of the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill (H.R. 3010), Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) offered an amendment to “prohibit the use of funds in the bill to create or implement any universal mental health screening program.” The House rejected Paul’s amendment on June 24, 2005 by a vote of 97-304 (Roll Call 317). Federally funding such programs is unconstitutional.John Tanner voted AGAINST this bill.109-1 (Source: The New American, August 8, 2005)

CAFTA. This bill (H.R. 3045) would implement the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), thereby expanding the devastating consequences of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), including the job losses wrought by NAFTA. CAFTA is intended by the Power Elite to be a steppingstone from NAFTA to the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which would include all of the countries of the Western Hemisphere except (for now) Cuba. Like NAFTA, which has already begun imposing its trade rulings on America, CAFTA and the FTAA would not be genuine free trade arrangements; they would instead manage trade and would gradually exercise more powers on the road to a supranational government modeled after the European Union. The House passed CAFTA on July 28, 2005 by a vote of 217-215 (Roll Call 443). CAFTA would further damage the U.S. economy and threaten U.S. sovereignty.John Tanner voted FOR this bill.109-2 (Source: The New American, December 12, 2005)

Surface Transportation. The final version (conference report) of this bill (H.R. 3) would authorize $286.5 billion for federal highway, mass transit, and safety and research programs through fiscal 2009. The bill is laden with thousands of “pork barrel” transportation projects requested by individual lawmakers. The House adopted the final version of this legislation on July 29, 2005 by a vote of 412-8 (Roll Call 453). The bill increases transportation spending and is fiscally irresponsibleJohn Tanner voted FOR this bill.109-2 (Source: The New American, December 12, 2005)

Katrina Hurricane-relief Appropriations.In the wake of the devastating hurricane disaster in the Gulf Coast, Congress quickly passed legislation that would appropriate $51.8 billion in emergency supplemental funding for fiscal 2005 (H.R. 3673) to be used for relief in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Commenting on how the tragic images of Katrina were used to justify more federal welfare and interventionism, as opposed to private charity and initiatives, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) noted on September 15, after the House and Senate votes: “These scenes prompted two emotional reactions. One side claims Katrina proved there was not enough government welfare…. The other side claims we need to pump billions of new dollars into the very federal agency that failed (FEMA)…. Both sides support more authoritarianism, more centralization, and even the imposition of martial law in times of natural disasters.” The House passed the Katrina appropriations bill on September 8, 2005 by a vote of 410-11 (Roll Call 460). Federally financing disaster relief is unconstitutional. Both the House and Senate passed their versions of H.R. 3673 on the same dayJohn Tanner voted FOR this bill.109-2 (Source: The New American, December 12, 2005)

U.S. Treasury Borrowing. During consideration of a bill to overhaul the regulation of government-sponsored enterprises, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) offered this amendment to “eliminate the ability of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Bank Board to borrow from the Treasury.” During floor debate on his amendment, Paul stated, “I hope my colleagues join me in protecting taxpayers from having to bail out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac when the housing bubble bursts.” The House rejected Paul’s amendment on October 26, 2005 by a vote of 47-371 (Roll Call 544). Paul’s amendment would (in Paul’s words) seek to end a “massive unconstitutional and immoral” transfer of income from working Americans to government-sponsored enterprises.John Tanner voted AGAINST this bill.109-2 (Source: The New American, December 12, 2005)

Online Freedom of Speech. The Online Freedom of Speech Act (H.R. 1606) would exempt the Internet — including blogs, e-mail, and other online speech — from being subject to campaign finance laws and Federal Election Commission regulation. Because supporters attempted to pass the bill under a suspension of the rules, a two-thirds majority of those present and voting was required for passage. Supporters got a solid majority but not the necessary two-thirds, and the legislation was rejected on November 2, 2005 by a vote of 225-182 (Roll Call 559). The bill would protect free speech.John Tanner voted AGAINST this bill.109-2 (Source: The New American, December 12, 2005)