Energy/Fuel Choice Bill – This is a big bipartisan effort to deal with the problem of energy security. The main motivation behind the leaders of this bill (myself included) is to reduce dependence on foreign oil for reasons of national security. We want to stop funding the efforts of countries around the world where the people want to kill us. There are also inherent environmental benefits. The overlying concept behind this legislation is that you really only have one choice today to fuel your car and that is an oil based product. This bill would require both infrastructure and car manufacturers to transition over the next five years to a significant percentage of vehicles having the option of running on some fuel other than 100% oil. These could be ethanol, methanol, bio-diesel, plug-in hybrids, or any combination thereof that reduces oil consumption. The basic concept here is that the government will not pick a winning alternative, but instead let them all compete in the marketplace. And, we are not counting on some breakthrough, which may or may not occur.

I Want to Pay More Taxes Act – Every once in a while, you hear a Barbara Streisand or similar person say that taxes should be increased to fund some cause in which they believe. You hear Democrats say that in this town everyday. Great. If Barbara Streisand and all these Democrats want to pay more taxes, that’s fine with me. Just don’t compel the rest of us to pay them too. This bill would add a line at the end of every tax return allowing people to pay additional tax, over and above what they owe, if they want to. That way, all those who want to pay more taxes can do so, and leave the rest of us alone! I should note, however, that in 2001 Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas did this and it yielded a whopping $260. I guess the tax and spend crowd is not nearly as generous with their own money as they are with yours and mine.

Bear Protection Act – Some cultures around the world use internal organs of bears in ritualistic activities. This has created a market for such organs that has resulted in the killing of many bears in Alaska (and maybe even California) where the bear is killed and left except for the ritual entrails. Disgusting huh? This measure would prohibit the import, export and interstate commerce in bear gall bladders and bile thereby effectively outlawing this practice.

Housing Costs & Reverse Mortgages – I was involved in this bill last year. It passed the House and passed the relevant Senate Committee, but never got a vote on the Senate floor before the 109th Congress adjourned. So, we’re reintroducing it. It fixes a number of laws for such things as raising the minimums on FHA loans to reflect the higher cost of housing in California, and allowing people in co-op housing (like many in Laguna Woods) to use reverse mortgages

Unlimited Retirement Contributions – There’s lots of chatter in Washington about Social Security and how the next generation will pay for the retirement of baby boomers (like me). I believe the best way to pay for the retirement of the baby boomers is to help the baby boomers save money form themselves. So, my legislation would remove the complicated myriad of restrictions on IRA’s and 401(k)’s and other personal retirement accounts, and allow people to put as much away as they want every year tax free. The only catch is that you have to leave it there until you reach retirement age or else you would pay a big penalty.

Water Desalinization – The Orange County Water District has a unique and more efficient method of turning seawater into drinking water right at Doheny Beach in Dana Point. This bill would authorize the project to proceed and help provide a new and needed local source of drinkable water to our region.

Small Car Companies – There are nearly 50 startup car companies in Britain, but only a handful in this country. That is because Britain relieves small manufacturers of the burden of the most costly regulations. My proposal would do the same thing for companies selling less than 500 cars annually in the United States. This would encourage innovative new environmental and performance technologies to be built and driven on the street where real world experience can be had. Yes, it’s me, the car guy at it again.

And last but certainly not least, as Chairman of the Budget and Spending Task Force of the Republican Study Committee, I am putting together a package of major proposals to restore fiscal integrity and accountability to the taxing and spending of your money. As you have heard me say before, in 34 out of the last 38 years, Congress has spent more than the revenue received. This includes Republican and Democratic congresses and presidents and every combination thereof. This will be a reform package to fix that problem regardless of what party is in charge.