James Talent

A border fence would help prevent illegal immigration and further protect our borders.

Under this bill, a defendant's rights would be curtailed: he would be denied the right of habeas corpus; he could be detained indefinitely; and evidence obtained through coercion could be used against him--so long as the coercion falls outside the administration's definition of torture.

So-called free trade agreements damage the U.S. economy and threaten U.S. sovereignty by imposing international regulations.

The United States should reduce its dependency on foreign oil and utilize it own energy resources.

Congress can and should use its power to regulate interstate commerce to restrict abortion.

Research on embryonic stem cell lines derived from surplus embryos at in vitro fertilization clinics would violate the right to life for millions of unborn children.

Federal funding of local law enforcement will lead to more federal control of law enforcement.

Sen. David Vitter's (R-LA.) amendment to HR 5441 Firearm Seizure (Passed 84 to 16 on 7/13/2006, Roll Call 202). Would prohibit any Homeland Security funds from being used to seize lawfully owned firearms during a state of emergency.

Sen. John Kerry's (D-MA.) amendment to S 2766 Iraq Troop Withdrawal (Rejected 13 to 86 on 6/22/2006, Roll Call 181). Would require a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by July 2007.

It is unconstitutional for the government to prohibit citizens from working for less than a government-set price.

Gen. Michael V. Hayden has been in the forefront of governmental programs threatening the privacy of American citizens and should not be trusted to lead an organization such as the CIA.

S 2611 Guest-Workers/Amnesty (Passed 62 to 36 on 5/25/2006, Roll Call 157). Would effectively grant amnesty to the 12 million illegal immigrants who already reside in the United States and create a guest-worker program for up to 200,000 immigrants a year.

This amendment would make border security a higher priority than amnesty, but would make it more difficult for the administration to implement amnesty.

Even if the spending were constitutional, this funding should be attached to the regular appropriations process and not introduced after the fact as "emergency" spending, ignoring fiscal responsibility.

HJR 47 National Debt Limit (Adopted 52 to 48 on 3/16/2006, Roll Call 54). Would increase the national debt limit to $8.97 trillion. See U.S. Const., Art. 1, Sec. 8.

Federal social-welfare programs are unconstitutional.

HR 3199 Patriot Act Reauthorization (Adopted 89 to 10 on 3/2/2006, Roll Call 29). Would reauthorize the unconstitutional and so-called Patriot Act. See U.S. Const., amend. 4.

Our troops should be sent to war only when necessary to defend the United States and her citizens, and when Congress declares war.

Foreign aid programs are not authorized by the Constitution.

Federal aid to farmers and federal food aid to individuals are not authorized by the Constitution.

Sen. Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) amendment to S 600 Abortion (Adopted 52 to 46 on 4/5/2005, Roll Call 83). To repeal the rule prohibiting U.S. foreign aid from going to organizations that provide or promote abortions.

SCR 95 Fiscal 2005 Budget Resolution (Passed 51 to 45 on 3/12/2004, Roll Call 58). Would establish broad spending and revenue targets over the next five years, for a total budget of $2.4 trillion. See U.S. Const., Art. 1, Sec. 8.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D-CA) amendment to S 1805 Assault Weapons Ban (Adopted 52 to 47 on 3/2/2004, Roll Call 24). Would provide for a 10-year reauthorization of the so-called assault weapons ban. See U.S. Const., amend. 2.

HR 1 Prescription Drug Benefit (Passed 54 to 44 on 11/25/2003, Roll Call 459). Would create a prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. See U.S. Const., Art. 1, Sec. 8.

Sen. Russ Feingold's (D-WI) amendment to S 1753 Data Mining (Tabled 61 to 32 on 11/4/2003, Roll Call 435). Would require each federal agency or department engaged in data mining to submit a public report to Congress. See U.S. Const., amend. 4.

Sen. Tom Harkin's (D-IA) amendment to S 3 Roe v. Wade Support (Adopted 52 to 46 on 3/12/2003, Roll Call 48). Declares that the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade secures an "important constitutional right" and "should not be overturned."

Moscow Treaty (Ratified 95 to 0 on 3/6/2003, Roll Call 43). Would require both the United States and Russia to reduce their respective nuclear stockpiles to between 1,700 and 2,200 warheads by 2012.

Rep. Tom Coburn's (R-OK) amendment to HR 4461 Ban on FDA Approval of Abortion Pill (Rejected 182 to 187 on 7/10/2000, Roll Call 373). Would prohibit the FDA from using funds to test or approve for use the abortion pill RU-486, also known as mifepristone.

HR 4199 Tax Code Abolishment (Passed 229 to 187 on 4/13/2000, Roll Call 127). Would abolish the tax code, excepting Social Security and Medicare provisions, by December 31, 2004.

HR 6 "Marriage Penalty" Tax Reform (Passed 268 to 158 on 2/10/2000, Roll Call 15). This Republican tax cut plan would alleviate the so-called "Marriage Penalty" tax that assesses taxes at a higher rate against married couples who both work than for two single people with comparable incomes.

HR 3194 Welfare State Expansion (Adopted 296 to 135 on 11/18/1999, Roll Call 610). Would provide $385 billion to provide five regular annual appropriations bills (District of Columbia, Labor/HHS/Education, Foreign Operations, Commerce/Justice/State/Judiciary, and Interior). See U.S. Const., Art. 1, Sec. 8.

HR 3064 Labor/HHS/Education Spending (Passed 218 to 211 on 10/28/1999, Roll Call 549) This $317 billion appropriations bill is the main funding measure for the federal welfare state during fiscal 2000.

HR 2 New Federal Education Subsidy (Rejected 166 to 257 on 10/21/1999, Roll Call 521). Would establish a new $100 million per year federally funded grant program administered by the states for educational choice scholarships.

HR 2 Federal Education Grants (Passed 358 to 67 on 10/21/1999, Roll Call 526) This legislation would fund Title I spending — which dispenses grants to primary and secondary schools — to the tune of $9.9 billion.

HR 2723 Managed Health Care Regulations (Passed 275 to 151 on 10/7/1999, Roll Call 490). This legislation would get the federal government even more deeply involved in regulating the medical coverage of individuals and HMOs.

HR 1906 Agricultural Appropriations (Passed 240 to 175 on 10/1/1999, Roll Call 469). This measure would appropriate $69 billion for agricultural programs, food stamps, and foreign aid programs for fiscal year 2000.

HR 417 Doolittle Campaign Finance (Rejected 117 to 306 on 9/14/1999, Roll Call 419). Representative John Doolittle (R-CA) took aim at campaign finance reform with a proposal to repeal all federal campaign contribution limits and require immediate public disclosure of all federal campaign contributions.

HR 417 Shays-Meehan "Reform" (Passed 252 to 177 on 9/14/1999, Roll Call 422). This legislation makes war upon the First Amendment's free speech protections by proposing regulation of non-political, issue advocacy speech.

HCR 180 Clemency for the FALN (Passed 311 to 41 on 9/9/1999, Roll Call 398). Following the President's grant of clemency to convicted terrorists of the Puerto Rican FALN, Congress considered a concurrent resolution which would express its disapproval with the Clinton administration's decision.

HR 2488 Republican Tax Cut Package (Passed 221 to 206 on 8/5/1999, Roll Call 379). The Republican tax plan would implement several tax cuts over a 10-year period.

HR 2122 Gun Control (Rejected 147 to 280 on 6/18/1999, Roll Call 244). Would clamp down on gun sales at gun shows. See U.S. Const., amend. 2.

Rep. Robert Aderholt's (R-AL) amendment to HR 1501 Freedom of Religion (Adopted 248 to 180 on 6/17/1999, Roll Call 221). Would allow the several States to decide whether or not to display the Ten Commandments on or within publicly owned property. See U.S. Const., amend. 1.

HCR 42 Authorizing U.S. Peacekeeping in Kosovo (Adopted 219 to 191 on 3/11/1999, Roll Call 49). Would authorize the President to "deploy United States Armed Forces personnel to Kosovo as part of a NATO peacekeeping operation implementing a Kosovo peace agreement."