In a reverse of tradition from second-term presidencies, the White House is looking to domestic policy to reinvigorate the president's agenda. While Congress has been away on recess, this has been in full swing beginning at the top of his staff.

NBC News reports, "When you boil it down, the Chief of Staff runs the White House operation and its hundreds of employees and he controls access to the president. That combination makes the Chief a formidable influence. The Chief sets a tone. And this new Chief is sending the signals that he intends to adjust the tone. The word being used by advisors here is 'reinvigorate.'"

• Pray that this "fresh start" to the Bush Administration would reinvigorate a spirit of humility and repentance in the land.

“And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the LORD” (2 Kings 19:1).

Government Process and Free Speech
Congress returns to Washington next week from its Easter recess. It is likely to hit the ground running.

Lobbying Reform
2006 began with Lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleading guilty to corruption, embezzlement and bribery charges. Congress and the media were aflame with promises of "reform" and swift action. But then a couple things happened. For one, the Dubai ports deal swept lobbying off the editorial map. The second complication was more subtle. The bill, S. 2128 introduced by none other than the champion of reform in Congress, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), included welcome provisions related to earmarks and troubling provisions related to grassroots "lobbying".

Section 110 of this bill says, "The term 'grassroots lobbying' means the voluntary efforts of members of the general public to communicate their own views on an issue to Federal officials or to encourage other members of the general public to do the same." This bill effectively defines any citizen of the United States who makes any contact with their elected officials as lobbyists. Have you ever called, written or emailed your Congressman? Do you think you are a lobbyist?

Under this unprecedented legislation, any "lobbyist" is required to disclose paid efforts in excess of $10,000. While that would not affect most citizens directly, it would affect a host of groups that attempt to make connections between those in power and the people. If this passes, this is just the beginning. Disclosure can easily morph into restrictions and prohibitions.

This isn't just another tasty serving to feed to the ever hungry "reform" beast in Washington. If anything, this is just the beginning of an entirely new course in the meal of encroaching tyranny. The ultimate "reform" is to eliminate the need for re-election.

FRC: "When Congress returns next week, at the top of the to-do list is lobby reform. The Senate has already passed a bill that allowed Senators to politically posture as 'anti-Abramoff.' And the bill does tackle some legitimate reform issues. However, the Senate bill contains restrictions on grassroots lobbying that would seriously infringe on our—and your—constitutionally protected freedoms to communicate about pending Congressional action. The right of petition is fundamental." In fact, it's in the First Amendment.

• Pray that efforts to further insulate Washington power are dissolved.

“There is great gain in godliness with contentment” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Internet Speech
CQ Today reports that H.R. 1606 "would exempt blogs, e-mail and other Internet speech from campaign finance regulations." The House Administration committee passed this bill on a voice vote. This bill is largely in response to last year when "a federal court ruled that the FEC cannot completely exempt the Internet from the 2002 campaign finance overhaul law (PL 107-155)."

A word about campaign finance: Yet again, the "reform" beast seeks to silence any opposition. Speech and money often depend on one another. Whenever members of Congress talk about taking the money out of politics, the end result is elimination of people from the process.

This time Congress is actually standing up for the rights of the people it represents.

• Pray that this bill would be a first step back in the direction of freedom for the people.
• Pray for humility in our members of Congress.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me … to set free those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18).

Filth
While the protection of free speech is a priority, so is the suppression of filth. FRC has held the feet of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) to the fire and praised the efforts of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Even CBS has found noteworthy the timeliness of the topic!

• Pray for the people in a nation that celebrates its sin.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

Leading into Summer
With June little more than a month away, there are several upcoming items to begin praying heavily for now.

Marriage Amendment
"The vote in the U.S. Senate is currently scheduled for the week of June 5, 2006" (FRC).

• Pray for passage!

“But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh” (Mark 10:6-8).

Supreme Court
The current Supreme Court ends June 30th. The most controversial cases usually aren't released until the end of the term. So, there are no big headlines until then. However, between now and then is when the justices are going back and forth writing opinions on these cases. Pray that the opinions and decisions rendered in these cases would honor and glorify God and uplift righteousness in our land. ABC News recently blogged about the remaining cases for this term: part 1, part 2.

• Pray for the justices as they form these upcoming opinions.

“And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to men of understanding” (Daniel 2:21).

Speaking of the high Court, while we praise the Lord for the confirmations of Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito, the minority in the Senate has felt no inhibitions about continuing the filibusters against the president's lower court nominees. Robert Novak highlighted nominees Terrence Boyle, Brett Kavanaugh, William Haynes, and Michael Wallace who still await a confirmation vote.

• Pray that Senate Leaders and the Gang of 14, if necessary, take action on confirming the president's nominations.

“Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens” (Exodus 18:25).

Legislative Update Archive

All Legislative Updates are produced by Timothy T.C. McGhee