Chambliss also asks Specter for refund of GOP donations
U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., has joined his Tennessee and Georgia colleagues in the Senate and asked Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania for a refund of any campaign contributions from his political action committee. “While Sen. Specter is a good friend, I have people who contribute to my leadership PAC for the intention of keeping Republicans in the Senate,” Sen. Chambliss said through a spokeswoman. “It’s only right and fair that he return the money.” Sen. Specter, who has served in the Senate as a Republican since 1980, announced Tuesday that he will seek re-election next year as a Democrat. He also said he would return campaign contributions from this cycle “by request.” Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, both R-Tenn., and Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., already have asked Sen. Specter to return $5,000 contributions. A Federal Election Commission search showed no contributions from Sen. Chambliss’ PAC, the Republican Majority Fund, to Sen. Specter’s campaign. DAVIS LINKS ECONOMY, ABORTIONS In response to recent news reports linking the recession to higher abortion rates, U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn., urged Congress to pass legislation that would provide more resources to pregnant women. “As a pro-life Democrat, I believe it is a moral responsibility to have resources in place so pregnant women may carry their pregnancies to term,” Rep. Davis said in a statement. Rep. Davis has introduced a bill that would increase “housing benefits, day-care payment assistance, college tuition benefits, domestic violence prevention and other support measures” to pregnant women. It hopes to reduce abortions by 95 percent by 2019. WAMP CRITICIZES “BLOATED” BUDGET U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., said this week that the budget blueprint passed in the U.S. House of Representatives spends and borrows too much. Rep. Wamp said he thinks the provisions in the bill that permanently gives taxpayers the ability to deduct state and local sales taxes was a step forward, though. “But this requires future legislation and was not strong enough on its own for me to support this bloated budget as a whole,” he said in a statement. TWITTER UPDATES Tennessee State Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, Tuesday: “can’t hear because my ear is stopped up — should make voting on bills in committee today much more interesting” Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons, GOP gubernatorial candidate, Tuesday: “Pleased with the outpouring of support at our fundraiser tonight. Thanks everyone!” Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, RBlountville, GOP candidate for governor, Wednesday: “Honored to receive Tennessee Development District Association’s Legislator of the Year Award tonight.” Rep. Wamp., GOP candidate for governor, Wednesday: “Greatest honor today to spend time with Tn Nat Guard in our nation’s Capitol. They are the finest of our citizens and we owe them everything.” Nashville businessman Ward Cammack, Democratic candidate for governor, Thursday: “Thursday in Knoxville. Interviews with Randy Neal and WBIR and a tour of Pellissippi State Technical Community College.” “Fake” Ron Littlefield, Thursday: “Chattanooga’s streets look finger-lickin’ good, and I just ate a whole bucket of original recipe. Get lost, PETA.” Former state Rep. Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville, Democratic candidate for governor, Friday: “Coffee-check. Papercheck. I’ve got great weekend plans from one end of the state to the other.” Compiled by staff writer Matt Wilson E-mail Matt Wilson at mwilson@timesfreepress.com
