Congress returns in prelude to November election battle

[Judi Lynn]

Sept. 4, 2006, 1:44AM
Congress returns in prelude to November election battle
GOP sticking to items focusing on terrorism and homeland security

By ANDREW TAYLOR
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Republicans controlling Congress will focus on traditional strong suits of national defense and battling terrorism in a brief pre-election session that's a prelude to the battle for control of Capitol Hill.

The September session kicking off this week will focus on security issues — the defense and homeland security budgets, border and port security, as well as efforts to give congressional blessing to the National Security Agency's warrantless wiretaps of terrorist suspects.

Playing the national security card worked as Capitol Hill Republicans made election gains in 2002 and President Bush won re-election two years ago.

Both House and Senate Democrats vow to press for no-confidence votes this month on Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over his stewardship of the war. However, a separate vote on legalizing wiretapping of terrorists without a warrant from a judge could put them in an awkward position.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4161065.html

[maddezmom]

1. duplicate topic

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2492386