Friday March 12, 2010
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Legislative

Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which collectively form the United States Congress. The Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war, the right to confirm or reject Presidential appointments, and substantial investigative powers.

The House of Representatives is composed of 435 elected members from the 50 states in proportion to their total population. There are also 6 non-voting members who represent the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and five other American territories.

The Senate is made up of 100 Senators, with two senators from each state. Until the ratification of the 17th Amendment in 1913, the elected officials in the House of Representatives, not popular vote, chose Senators. The Vice President serves as the President of the Senate and provides the decisive vote in the event of a tie.

Together, the House of Representatives and the Senate are the lawmakers of the nation. Any piece of legislation must pass through both houses of Congress before it is either vetoed or signed into law by the President.

It is vitally important that Americans pray for wisdom and understanding on behalf of the lawmakers of their nation.

Featured Member of the Legislative Branch for Prayer

March 10th, 2010

Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY)

On November 2, 2004, Jim Bunning was elected to serve a second term as U.S. Senator for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Bunning was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998, winning by a very thin margin.

As a youngster in Northern Kentucky, Bunning displayed a competitive spirit and a willingness to work hard. That combination carried him on to a 17-year career as a Major League Baseball player after his graduation from Xavier University with an Economics degree.  This career eventually resulted in his induction in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The same commitment that made Jim Bunning a Hall of Famer also serves him well in public office. In 1977, Bunning wanted to give something back to his community and he ran for and won a City Council seat in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. In 1979, he was elected to the Kentucky State Senate and became its Republican Leader. In 1986, Bunning was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the 4th District of Kentucky where he served for 12 years.

As Chairman of the House’s Social Security Subcommittee, Bunning established himself as one of Congress’s foremost experts and defenders of Social Security, as well as a leading spokesman for strengthening and protecting Social Security. In Congress, Bunning has been a proponent of walling-off budget surpluses to help ensure the livelihood and commitment of Social Security for our seniors and future generations. He played a key role in the passage of landmark legislation establishing the Social Security Administration as a standalone and independent agency.

In the Senate, Bunning’s work earned him a seat on the influential Finance Committee, making him the first Kentuckian in nearly 40 years to serve on this powerful committee. Service on this committee allows Bunning a direct role in influencing how nearly two-thirds of all federal dollars are spent on such issues as tax policy, Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security, welfare reform, and trade policy.

Bunning also serves on the Banking Committee where he has been the leading critic of the Federal Reserve and financial bailouts. When he was Chairman of the Banking Committee’s Economic Policy Subcommittee, he also wrote legislation to reform the National Flood Insurance Program, which was signed into law. From his seat on the Energy Committee, Bunning is working hard to make America more energy independent with diverse energy sources. Bunning also serves on the Budget Committee where he advocates fiscally responsible budgets that fund the nation’s top priorities, with an emphasis on strengthening our military and taking care of our troops overseas.

Although his election in the U.S. Senate and induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame stand out as top moments in his life, the all-time high point in his life was his marriage to Mary Catherine Theis. Together, they raised nine children and have 35 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Jim and Mary make their home in Southgate, Kentucky and are active members of the St. Therese Catholic Church in Southgate, Kentucky.  Senator Bunning will be retiring from the Senate after the completion of his current term.







US Congress

Legislative Prayer Needs

March 10th, 2010

PRAY FOR OUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS

Rep. Jeff Flake (Arizona) has asked the House Ethics Committee to prove that it did more than a light review of the pay-to-play earmark scandal under investigation by the FBI, as it relates to the PMA Group lobbying firm.

In a rare 100-0 roll call vote, the Senate adopted an amendment offered by Sen. Tom Coburn (Oklahoma) to tell the public when it isn’t paying for new spending or tax cuts. Coburn said it is about being transparent and honest.

Pray for the numerous members of our legislature who are involved in ethics or other scandals.





The Presidential Prayer Team encourages you to please pray for this Legislative need now.


2 Responses to “Legislative Prayer Needs”

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  1. Judy Hodak says:
    March 11, 2010 at 1:47 PM

    I appreciate your encouragement to a legislative member who is looking out for America & it’s people. We need to do more of this to strengthen them to continue against the pressures of the job – amen!!

    Reply
  2. Kristy from KY says:
    March 11, 2010 at 7:24 AM

    Thank you for choosing my Senator. With his strong stand last week for pay as you go, the press was brutal against him. I believe he was there for such a time as this! Even though not returning after this term, he still has work to complete. I for one am thankful he can focus on his duties as Senator and not on re-election. Thank you, Senator Bunning and thank you PPT for your work as well.

    Reply


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