On Monday, Senator George Allen and six other brave Republican senators publicly declared their opposition to the outrageous anti-free speech provisions added to the House version of the lobby reform bill.

They sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (click here to read - PDF file) that concluded "We strongly oppose adding the anti-free speech provisions of H.R. 513 to the lobbying reform bill, or any other bill. If such provisions are added to legislation scheduled for a Senate vote, we would give serious consideration to supporting extended debate on the bill." ("extended debate" is the polite way of saying "filibuster")

By leading the effort in the Senate against the House-passed provisions added to the lobbying reform bill that would stifle "527" nonprofit organizations, these senators are helping to block what could be the broadest attack on the First Amendment by the federal government in modern history.

Our heartfelt thanks go to Senators Allen, Sam Brownback, Tom Coburn, Jim DeMint, Michael Enzi, John Sununu and David Vitter for their outstanding work in defending the First Amendment.

Last week, we cautioned Club members that Brian Bilbray's victory in the special election to replace felon Duke Cunningham in California's 50th District was not a victory for limited government. Just TWO DAYS into his term, Bilbray proved us right.

During his recent campaign, the San Diego Union Tribune reported that Bilbray "proposed a ban on earmarks done behind closed doors" because "problems arise when earmarking is done in secret."

That's tough talk. But despite these strong words to clean up the earmark process, Bilbray promptly voted YES on an appropriatioins bill that contained over 1500 earmarks, most of which were hidden in committee reports. The former lobbyist also voted NO on each of Rep. Jeff Flake's four anti-pork amendments to the bill.

Bilbray claims to be a fiscal conservative and that "the spending binge in Washington needs to stop," so let's hope that his future votes follow that rhetoric.

Despite last week's Democratic-led filibuster on the permanent repeal of the Death Tax, all hope is not lost. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist today said he will find a way to pass Death Tax repeal within the next two weeks.

Congressional Quarterly reports that Frist will "instruct House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., to attach provisions to the measure 'to make it more attractive,' with the intention of passing legislation in the Senate by July 4."

Although the Club believes that a permanent and total repeal of the Death Tax will best serve the American people, Frist's encouraging words foreshadow a large reduction in the estate tax rate and a large increase in the exemption level.

Frist, who is retiring this year, said that he was "not leaving the U.S. Senate without finding a permanent fix." We like the sound of that, but remain cautiously optimistic.

The House is scheduled to vote next week on the Legislative Line-Item Veto Act of 2006. Sponsored by Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the Line-Item Veto Act is a necessary weapon in the fight against runaway spending and earmark abuse.

Under Ryan's proposal, when Congress passes a bill, the president would suggest rescissions of selected projects in the bill to Congress. There would then be a timely up-or-down vote on each of his suggestions.

This act should also quell fears that the line-item veto excessively empowers the executive branch and remains unconstitutional. Because Congress would retain the final say, both concerns are alleviated.

Giving presidents a more effective, if modest, check on runaway federal spending is constitutional, consistent with the principle of limited government, and in the best interest of taxpayers.

Ahead of the vote next week, the Club has decided to key vote the Line-Item Veto Act, so it will appear in the Club's congressional scorecard.

Free Kirby Wilbur - National Review Editorial
Is There a Second Act for Jeb Bush? - Time Magazine
Striking a Balance on Earmarks - Jonathan Allen, The Hill

$1 Billion Wasted on FEMA Cards - CNN.com
Stockholm Syndrome: Sweden's Socialism - IBD Editorial
Interview with Larry Kudlow - Bill Steigerwald, PTR