On the WashingtonWatch.com Blog

Though Hurricane Gustav has slowed the start of the Republican convention, a post on the WashingtonWatch.com blog called “McCain’s Priorities” takes a look at the legislative work of Senator McCain in the current Congress.

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Congress continues its ‘August’ recess and will not return to Washington until next week.

This week, the Republican party convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul will select Senator John McCain (R-AZ) as that party’s presidential nominee. McCain served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1986 and began his service in the U.S. Senate in 1987. We took a look at his record in the current Congress on the WashingtonWatch.com blog, and will examine a few key bills here.

Senator McCain has introduced 21 bills in the current Congress, but only one in 2008. This is the fuel tax holiday he proposed at the beginning of the summer.

S. 2890 would have suspended excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels between May 26, 2008, and September 1, 2008. The savings to taxpayers from the bill was not estimated.

Boxing regulation has been an interest of McCain’s for some time. His bill S. 84, the Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2007, would establish a bureau called the United States Boxing Commission to regulate the sport of boxing. Passage of the bill would cost the average U.S. family about $0.32.

Just one bill introduced by Senator McCain has passed into law. That is S. 327, the Cesar Estrada Chavez Study Act, which was passed as a part of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008.

This law authorizes a study of sites associated with Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement. Passage of S. 327 carries a negligible cost per U.S. family, and the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 was not the subject of a cost estimate.

S. 2890
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a highway fuel tax holiday

S. 84
The Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2007
Costs $0.32 per family

S. 327
The Cesar Estrada Chavez Study Act

What People Think

S. 2890 56% For, 44% Against Vote on this Bill

The Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2007 34% For, 66% Against Vote on this Bill

The Cesar Estrada Chavez Study Act 32% For, 68% Against Vote on this Bill

Displayed below are new, updated, and passed items with their cost or savings per family.

New Items

H.R. 6474
To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to carry out a series of demonstration projects to promote the use of innovative technologies in reducing energy consumption and promoting energy efficiency and cost savings in the House of Representatives
Costs $0.09 per family

Updated Items

none

Passed Items

none