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Ensign Fights for Permanent Extension of Do-Not-Call Registry
SENATOR JOHN ENSIGN today [September 26, 2007] cosponsored legislation that would allow phone numbers to be permanently registered with the Federal Do-Not-Call Registry. Currently, registered phone numbers expire five years after initial registration.
“Individuals have the right to block intrusive solicitations on a phone line for which they are paying,” said Ensign who was the original author of the Do-Not-Call Registry legislation in 2003. “We have all received these annoying calls, and having the ability to block the disruptive calls is a freedom I believe in protecting.”
Over 132 million phone numbers have registered with the National Do-Not-Call Registry, and nearly 52 million of these numbers are set to expire in the next year. Reregistering these numbers will be burdensome for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the individual.
“Most individuals who have signed up for this service do not know it will expire,” said Ensign. “This will create a tremendous amount of work for the FTC and individuals when it is time to reregister.”
Ensign’s legislation to create the Do-Not-Call Registry in 2003 was the fastest bill passed by Congress since the resolution condemning the attacks on Pearl Harbor.
Children’s Health Program Should Target Children
SCHIP Should Be Extended, But Not Over Extended Beyond Its Intent
SENATOR JOHN ENSIGN called on his colleagues today [September 25, 2007] to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) but refocus the program on its original intent of providing low-income children—not adults—with health coverage.
“I support this program, but it was created to help low-income children, not adults. Would we expand our free school lunch program to include parents?” said Ensign. “It’s irresponsible to expand this program beyond its intent when so many eligible low-income children are not enrolled.”
According to a study done for the Department of Health and Human Services, there are 794,000 low-income children currently eligible for SCHIP but not enrolled. Under the Democrats’ proposal, adults will continue to receive money meant for children, and it could even expand eligibility for the program to families earning up to $82,000 a year.
The Democrats are still pushing this plan, despite a veto threat from President Bush months ago, and are now up against a deadline because the program is set to expire at the end of September.
“I urge my colleagues to stop playing politics with SCHIP and pass an extension so low-income children will not go without health insurance,” said Ensign. “The Democrats want to expand this program toward Washington-controlled government health care. That’s the wrong direction and the wrong solution for the healthcare problems we face in America. Let’s extend SCHIP and refocus the program on its original intent of helping low-income children.”
Ensign Calls for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to be Labeled as a Terrorist Organization
SENATOR JOHN ENSIGN today [September 25, 2007] called on the Bush Administration to recognize Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard as a foreign terrorist organization. Ensign cosponsored legislation that calls on the United States government to stop Iran’s efforts to wage a proxy war against our military while our troops work to stabilize Iraq.
“Iran is trying to hinder American efforts to bring stability to Iraq,“ said Ensign. “It is clear Iran is supplying weapons and participating in terrorist attacks against our troops, and we should recognize these heinous acts by Iran for what they are.“
According to the State Department, Iran has remained the most active state sponsor of terror for most of the past decade. Iran is providing sophisticated weapons and training to Islamic extremists to kill American soldiers.
“The evidence of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard carrying out terrorist attacks at the cost of American lives is indisputable,“ said Ensign. “Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is a well-funded and highly trained terrorist organization. Our troops are attempting to carry out a mission in Iraq, and their efforts are being hindered by Iran.“
The measure is expected to be voted on today.
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