Nation Topics - Congress | The Nation

The article looks at the investigation by the United States Congress into the President George W. Bush administration's post-Hurricane Katrina response. The article analyzes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director Michael Brown's testimony, where he explained the problem in response as a disconnect between FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. The author states the real problem is weak leadership from the White House and declares the need of an independent investigation.

The article looks at why the United States Congress passed the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the similarities between Presidents Richard Nixon and George W. Bush in their authorization of warrant-less wiretaps. Operation Shamrock and Operation Minaret were two abuses by the National Security Agency that prompted Congress to pass the Surveillance Act. The article examines other wiretap abuses by Nixon, including the Salisbury intercepts and the Huston Plan.

The article presents Michigan Representative John Conyers' views on America's national security budget. The author suggests that the U.S. should focus on destroying stockpiles of weapons worldwide. Financial statistics related to the war in Iraq are reviewed. The concept of a unified security budget is discussed.

The article presents Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee's on corporate accountability and oversight in the United States. According to the author, it's time for Congress to demand that government contracts and subsidies, including federal loans, grants and tax breaks, are tied to responsible business practices. The issue of waste and fraud in post-Katrina reconstruction and in Iraq are discussed.

The article presents Arizona Representative Raul Grijalva's views on environmental issues and the United States government. It is the author's view that many of the environmental improvements of the past four decades have been reversed by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush. The author suggests that Bush's environmental reforms have placed corporate interests over public health.

The article presents New York Representative Major Owens' views on education policy in the United States. The author suggests that eduction become the top federal budget priority. Statistics related to education spending are reviewed. The importance of a first-rate education system in the United States is discussed.

The article presents California Representative Henry Waxman's views on the concepts of transparency and accountability in United States government. It is the author's views that the Constitution's system of checks and balances does not work when the White House and Congress try to shield government corruption and abuse from scrutiny. Various pieces of legislation aimed at curbing government waste and corruption are discussed.

The article presents Representative John Tierney's views on American intelligence and national security. The scandals of Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo Bay are reviewed. According to the author, House and Senate intelligence committees must better exercise their oversight responsibilities if the U.S. wants to better protect its intelligence personnel and the civil liberties of Americans.

The article presents Representative Bob Filner's views on improving veterans healthcare in the United States. Statistics related to the number of veteran patients in the U.S. are reviewed. Various policy changes implemented at the Department of Veterans Affairs are reviewed. The Assured Funding for Veterans' Healthcare Act of 2005 is discussed.

The article presents Ohio Representative Marcy Kaptur's views on issues related to small farmers in the United States. According to the author, various trade agreements will make the U.S. a net importer of agricultural goods in 2006. The concept of agricultural subsidies is discussed. It is the author's view that recent legislation favors large agribusiness outfits and that the American dream of small farming is dying.