Faith

Critics Accuse Sen. Dick Durbin of Favoring Pork Project Over Religious Commission

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom May Shut Down

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is apparently heading for a shut down. The federal watchdog, which was created back in 1998 to help the president, Congress and the Department of State better understand religious persecution across the globe, is only days away from a forced closure.

In order to save the government body, Congress will have to intervene before the December 16 deadline. Already, the group has dodged closing two other times this fall, but Religion News Service reports that this is the closest it has ever come to doing so.

Compared to other government institutions, it has a relatively small budget of $4 million each year. Currently, it has nine commissioners and a staff of 17. USCIRF chairman Leonard Leo says that the deadline is so close that he and his fellow staff members will be forced to begin “winding down” and ceasing and desisting of their normal duties in order to prepare. “This is not something we do lightly,” he explains.

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom May Shut Down

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)

RNS has more regarding the current funding debacle that could prevent the USCIRF from continuing to function:

A stand-alone bill to reauthorize the commission for an additional two years passed the House nearly three months ago, but a “hold” has been placed on the bill in the Senate, reportedly by Majority Whip Richard Durbin, D-Ill.

According to a report last month in CQ Weekly, Durbin wants the federal government to buy an unused maximum-security prison in Illinois and turn it into a federal facility.

Durbin may be willing to lift his hold, according to the CQ story, in return for the prison purchase. Prison funding is partly controlled by a House subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Frank R. Wolf, R-Va., a champion of religious freedom who wrote the USCIRF reauthorization bill.

But according to Fox News, Democratic sources are strongly denying the connection between the funding and fiscal support for the prison. They claim that there’s legislation already in play that could keep the agency operation, but that they will want some undefined reforms. Fox continues:

Since Durbin’s name is connected to the matter, it will get lawmakers’ attention, according to Bob Cusack, managing editor of The Hill newspaper. Durbin “is (Majority Leader) Harry Reid’s direct deputy. He’s the No. 2 Senate Democrat. He’s got a lot of power, so when he wants something people have to listen because he controls what happens on the Senate floor.”

If the bill inevitably fails and agreement cannot be made, Congress could continue to fund the body as a portion of an “omnibus” bill. Also, officials could pass a continuing resolution, RNS reports.

So far, no official action has been taken, although the Obama administration has claim it is working on remedying the issue.

Comments (30)

  • Ralphbp
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 5:11pm

    What does anyone with half a brain expect? He is as dirty and nasty as POTUS. He will get away with murder because everyone in Washington is as corrupt as the next one. They will circle the wagons to protect their own. It’s easy to be a liberal, you have no morals and no conscience.

    Report Post » Ralphbp  
  • gmoneytx
    Posted on December 10, 2011 at 2:06pm

    Durbin is such a dirty D!CK.

    Report Post » gmoneytx  
  • gmoneytx
    Posted on December 10, 2011 at 2:05pm

    Yeah, that’s a department we are in desperate need of, it will save the USA from all that we are falling into!

    Report Post » gmoneytx  
  • azsmitty
    Posted on December 10, 2011 at 8:30am

    The age old adage of “Whose Ox is being gored” comes to mind. “Our” Federal beuracracies have grown from “good intentions” to a money consumming blob demanding more and more. The seriousness of the consumption has turned the US into a soft undersided behemouth. All talk about the need to reduce the size and scope of the Governmnet, but when actual cuts are threatened, those who benefit from the agency start to cry “gore someone elses Ox”. Its only $4million dollars………..$4million here, $4million there soon we are talking real money. Funny how cavalier the amounts are tossed around by those spending “Other peoples money.”

    Report Post »  
  • SheriS
    Posted on December 10, 2011 at 7:58am

    At the time Durbin was elected, I lived in his state. I was impressed with him! I was a dummycrat at the time and voted for this lousy man. Amazing how this man changed over the years from a quiet smat man to an idiot! He turned me into a Conservative because all he wanted to do was the typical Liberal garbage of tax and spend, tax and spend and didn’t listen to the voters! Thanks Durbin for helping me see the truth of Dummycrats!

    Report Post »  
    • obfuscatenot
      Posted on December 10, 2011 at 9:12am

      I didn’t vote for the man, but like you I thought he was a good guy when he started out. Just goes to show how power corrupts. In Illinois the corruptocrats are especially heinous. Both sides of the aisle. Even the “good” ones like Shimkus(R)a former teacher are dirt bags- he is perfectly fine with the pigford fraud, after all the USDA was discriminatory, HOWEVER- nobody can name names, or give instances. pay for play is the new way.

      Report Post »  
  • TRUTHandFREEDOM
    Posted on December 10, 2011 at 7:57am

    They either take from the people or they take from things that matter to the people to make the case that they need to take MORE from the people!

    This is corrupt government and this guy just got corrupt government employee of the month for the Senate.

    I know! It’s only the 10th and he has a lot of competition, but he often steps out front to show us why he shouldn’t be there!

    Now, I don’t mind winding down and even eliminating government departments, especially newer (younger than 90 years) ones, but I think that there is no excuse for taking down this one while the EPA, Dept of Education, IRS and the agriculture department are wasting far more money employing people whose jobs involve sticking their noses into the rights & private lives and decisions of the people!

    Why don’t they cut LACEY ACT regulations, return the wood that they took from the Gibson guitar company and let them make and sell the guitars to generate tax revenue to pay for Durbin’s gas money BACK HOME!

    This guy is a wart on the face of freedom!

    Report Post »  
  • MidWestMom
    Posted on December 10, 2011 at 7:34am

    Another example of the Congressional “buy my vote” game

    Report Post »  
  • flgeorge
    Posted on December 10, 2011 at 6:26am

    This agency is another example of a government program which has eternal life. The country is in bad shape fiscally and anytime a program is looked at for elimination things are said like – It only has a small budget of four million – meaning it should be kept. If enough small budgets are cut they would add up substantially. Some hard choices are going to have to be made and it’s going to be very difficult with all the special interests looking out to protect their turf and their pockets.

    Report Post »  
  • lodgerat
    Posted on December 9, 2011 at 9:58pm

    Durbin is in my top five least liked politions He’s arrogant and so full of himself I can hardly look at the guy. When he speaks from the Senate floor I get so angry because the has a big problem with the truth. Other than that he ok..lol

    Report Post » lodgerat  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 11:30pm

      lets see if this is logical…….if you want to spend 4 million on relegion{which they shouldn’t}……then you can spend many more millions on a prision nobody wants…………this has got to be logical to someone………

      Report Post »  
    • NOBAMA201258
      Posted on December 10, 2011 at 1:20am

      They don’t call him dick for nothing, this AH is a poster child for term limits!

      Report Post »  
  • majorsco
    Posted on December 9, 2011 at 9:16pm

    Sen Durbin has absolutely no compassion for anyone of faith. He only supports the Chicago money machine of thugs and thieves where he is a card carrying member. He doesn’t care about people. He doesn’t care about the welfare of people and he supports all the deviant lifestyles of the uber left radical society. He needs to go. He needs to get put out of office soon.

    Report Post »  
    • AOL_REFUGEE
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 9:30pm

      Dirt-bin IS a piece of pork, beginning with that hamhead of his.

      Report Post » AOL_REFUGEE  
  • chips1
    Posted on December 9, 2011 at 9:05pm

    Why does he have that Barney Frank look on his face?

    Report Post »  
  • ilovetheusa1
    Posted on December 9, 2011 at 8:42pm

    4 mil budget, 26 employees, that’s about $150,000= per year for each employee. SHUT IT DOWN.

    Report Post »  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 8:52pm

      If it has a Durbin endorsement it is corrupt – how much did Durbin make on insider Congressional trading?

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • sWampy
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 9:49pm

      150K a year is really cheap for a created job, most of Obama’s jobs cost millions a year to fund.

      Report Post »  
    • oldironsides
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 10:00pm

      I agree – set up a toll free report line , someone to check it once a week and be done with it – lots more agencies must go -
      and what’s up with Durbin and the prison – he wants a cell close to home ?

      Report Post »  
    • lwilli201
      Posted on December 10, 2011 at 6:51pm

      The NLRB’ has a $282.8 million budget. Put a hold on their funding. Never happen.

      Report Post »  
  • ZeitgeistBuster
    Posted on December 9, 2011 at 8:33pm

    Buy the Damn Prison. Then investigate Durbin’s role in the housing collapse, then give him a set of sheets and a pillow and a new outfit and introduce him to the accommodations he helped buy.

    Report Post » ZeitgeistBuster  
  • ZeitgeistBuster
    Posted on December 9, 2011 at 8:30pm

    And these government clowns have the Gall to Demonize the Private Sector? REALLY?

    Report Post » ZeitgeistBuster  
  • Darla_K
    Posted on December 9, 2011 at 8:21pm

    I would rather see this close down and spend money investigating fraud that goes on in Washington and fraud pertaining to medicare.

    Report Post » Darla_K  
  • crcitizen
    Posted on December 9, 2011 at 8:18pm

    I think they ought to get rid of the commission and let Durbin keep the prison,,,, start cutting the budget with this commission and keep on cutting, and worry about religious freedom here.

    Report Post »  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 8:39pm

      The easy road is the road of politicians. Dirty Dick Durbin is a tool. He was indoctrinated into “government” and he is 110% on board with the concept of ‘compromise’ for the greater good.

      That “IS” socialism. Period.

      Principle is what this country was built on. Principle is NOT compromise. By definition. Period.

      These terms have been bastardized to fit the contemporary context of government DEFINED BY MEMBERS OF GOVERNMENT!

      Americans could virtually be in the 13th century. We are tools of larger forces than we can possibly imagine. We, are slaves. Room here does not permit the advancement of my point. If you don’t understand this from the present context of the world, you can’t be taught. You belong where you are.

      The ‘Right’s’ of humans, as we like to insist they are here in “America” are merely the rhetorical reigns government uses today to control populations of people. Us.

      Now, when things are going well, I have no problem being a good little sheeple. But when I am used, I get pissed. And when I have fought for the folks using me, I get darn pissed.

      I’m an American and an Oath Keeper. I keep my word. Something our politicians DO NOT do.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on December 9, 2011 at 7:59pm

    Dick Turbin is a hasbeen and a lib that’s all in it for himself. What a prideful jerk. He is of the ilk of whom I have no patience.

    Report Post »  

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