There is no doubt that the elected representatives on Capitol Hill are scrambling to point fingers, assign blame, backpedal and perform in a last minute effort to gain as many votes as possible before the pivotal November elections. 

Congressman Mark Foley (R-Florida, 16^th) caused an upheaval in the Republican Party when inappropriate e-mails linking him to male pages surfaced, and he promptly resigned. 

After being linked to corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Representative Bob Ney (R-Ohio, 18^th) pleaded guilty and resigned from office last week.

This has helped the Democrats strengthen their arsenal in the fight to paint Republicans as a party of corruption and hypocrisy, but the Democrats have had their own set of party problems as well. 

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) made headlines recently when it was discovered that he failed to disclose to Congress a lucrative land deal, a move considered highly unethical.  

Earlier this year, Representative Cynthia McKinney (D-Georgia, 4^th) received repeatedly bad publicity and lost in her primary after she struck a Capitol Hill police officer in a House Office Building.  And Representative William Jefferson (D-Louisiana, 2^nd) is under investigation for bribery after $90,000 was found in his freezer earlier this year.

Efforts to paint one party as corrupt have left both sides pointing the finger at themselves.  Voters are frustrated, and Congress is at a remarkably low approval level. 

Despite the frenzied upheaval on Capitol Hill in these last few weeks before the elections, there are still issues of pivotal importance to the American people that wait to be dealt with and decided. 

Below is a list of bills that CWA strongly supports and have been named as priorities by the majority leaders for consideration in Congress. 

Veterans' Memorials, Boy Scouts, Public Seals, and Other Public Expressions of Religion Protection Act of 2006 (S. 3696):  This bill was passed in the House by a vote of 244-173 in September.  Under current law, groups such as school boards and Boy Scouts that are sued in Establishment Clause cases must pay not only their own legal fees but also the fees of the client who brings the suit against them if they lose.  As a result, groups threatened by these lawsuits have not even defended themselves but simply yield in fear that they would have to pay massive legal bills.  S. 3696 would level the playing field for all involved in Establishment Clause cases.

The Child Custody Protection Act (S. 403):  This bill overwhelmingly passed the House twice, and was passed by the Senate in July, but was repeatedly blocked by Democratic leadership.  When Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tennessee) put the bill before the Senate again in September to end debate and vote for final passage, the measure failed in a 57-42 cloture vote.  S. 403 would make it a crime to transport minors across state lines for abortions without the knowledge of their parents. 

Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act (S. 51, H.R. 6099):  According to the text of the bill, animals who are slaughtered in the U.S. for food endure less pain than unborn babies who are aborted because of strict federal humane slaughter guidelines.  Abortion procedures cause remarkable pain for unborn babies past the 20^th week of development.  This legislation would require abortion providers to inform women seeking abortions past the 20^th week of the pregnancy of the pain that their unborn child will undergo during the procedure.

Human Cloning Prohibition Act (S. 658, H.R. 1357):  This legislation would ban all forms of human cloning, preventing unethical practices of using cloned humans for research

RU-486 Suspend and Review Act (S. 511, H.R. 1079):  RU-486 was rushed through an emergency approval process by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and at least five women have died from taking the dangerous drug.  This bill would repeal the approval and require new testing by the FDA.

In addition to these important pieces of legislation, the routine business of the Senate is also of vital importance to the future of the Judiciary, the role of the United States at the United Nations (U.N.) and around the world.  The Senate has confirmed many of the judges that President Bush has nominated, but several key nominees are still awaiting confirmation in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Additionally, Ambassador John Bolton received a recess appointment to represent the United States at the U.N., but he has not been confirmed by the Senate, despite the excellent job that he has done so far.

It is increasingly apparent that issues that matter to the future of the United States are at stake in this election.  Liberal members on Capitol Hill have voted time and time again against vital bills such as the Child Custody Protection Act, which is supported by over 80% of the American public, against confirming qualified judges to the courts and have listened to and supported groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in their efforts to remove traditional religious expression around the country. 

Don’t let disgust, frustration or lack of trust keep you from exercising your historic and honored right to vote.  Explore the issues, see where your candidates stand and vote accordingly.  The frenzy, corruption and campaigns should not stop Americans from getting down to what really matters.  Vote for issues.