Is It All for Show? Santorum Introduces Bills that Sound Good but Don’t Go Anywhere

Santorum's Lack of Accomplishments
Santorum wants credit for legislation he proposes that has little chance of becoming law despite his rank as the #3 Senator and his position on the Senate Finance Committee. Is it because his ideas don’t have much merit? Or does he not have the influence he says he has? Or is he just kidding about these measures being a priority?

Santorum's Words
“I have also been working with another Northeastern Democratic senator, Jon Corzine, on an idea that I kicked around years ago with former Senator Bob Kerry. It is titled the America Savings for Personal Investment, Retirement, and Education Act (the “Aspire” Act). It creates a savings account called a Kids Investment and Development Savings (KIDS) account for every child born in America.” – It Takes a Family, pg. 152
This bill currently sits in the Senate Finance Committee, a committee Santorum serves on, and has yet to get a hearing – S.868, 109th Congress.

“I stood with Senators Brownback, Lieberman, and Clinton to introduce a $90 million federal grant program to support research into the effects of viewing and using all types of media – including television, computer games, and the Internet – on children’s physical and psychological development. The Children and Media Research Advancement (CAMRA) Act would establish a program within the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development aimed at energizing research into the role of all forms of digital, analog, and print media on the cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and behavioral development of children from infancy through adolescence.” – It Takes a Family, pg. 341-342
This bill has been introduced in the last 2 Congresses, never got out of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in 2004 and currently resides there now – S.2447 in 2004 and S.1902/S.579 and H.R.4124 in 2005-2006.

“Senator Santorum introduced the Healthy Marriages and Responsible Fatherhood Act, which would strengthen fragile families through programs designed to help men take responsibility for their children, and requires organizations that receive grant money to coordinate with a state or local domestic violence center.” www.womenforrick.com
This bill never became law and never passed the U.S. Senate – S.2830, 108th Congress

“Senator Santorum introduced the Telework Tax Incentive Act which would provide tax incentives that will make telework a more viable option for employers and their workers, so those who wish to work from home can.” www.womenforrick.com
This bill has been introduced into the Senate three times, referred to the Finance Committee, and never got a hearing or vote even though Rick Santorum sits on the Senate Finance Committee – S.1292, 109th Congress; S.521, 107th Congress; S.2431, 106th Congress.

“Senator Santorum introduced the Aging with Respect and Dignity Act, which would assist caregivers who are providing for their loved-ones, and encourage planning so that more Pennsylvanians have the opportunity to receive the best possible care in the setting of their choice.” www.womenforrick.com
This bill has been introduced into the Senate, referred to the Finance Committee, and has yet to get a hearing or vote even though Rick Santorum sits on the Senate Finance Committee – S.2281, 109th Congress.

“Senator Santorum introduced the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Pregnant and Parenting Student Services Act. This legislation would provide grants to institutions of higher education to establish student services offices for pregnant students, parenting students, prospective parenting students anticipating a birth or adoption, and students who are placing or have placed a child for adoption.” www.womenforrick.com
This bill has been introduced into the Senate, referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and has yet to get a hearing or vote – S.1966, 109th Congress.

“Senator Santorum sponsored the Gasoline Affordability and Security (GAS) Act, which would institute the first federal gasoline price gouging statute to protect consumers and ease fears of predatory sales practices.” www.womenforrick.com
This bill has been introduced into the Senate, referred to the Finance Committee, and has yet to get a hearing or vote even though Rick Santorum sits on the Senate Finance Committee. He has also not been able to find one co-sponsor – S.1868, 109th Congress.

“Senator Santorum also introduced the Savings and Working Families Act of 2005, which builds on existing Individual Development Account (IDA) programs by creating tax credit incentives for banks and credit unions to offer special savings accounts to low-income Americans and match their deposits dollar-for-dollar.” www.womenforrick.com
This bill has been introduced into the Senate, referred to the Finance Committee, and has yet to get a hearing or vote even though Rick Santorum sits on the Senate Finance Committee – S.922, 109th Congress.

“Rick has also worked with Senator Dodd on The Combating Autism Act of 2005, which would authorize $860 million over five years to combat autism through research, screening, intervention, and education.” www.ricksantorum.com – Record of Accomplishment – Health Care
This bill This bill has been introduced into the Senate, referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and has yet to get a hearing or vote – S.843, 109th Congress.

Click below to help spotlight Rick Santorum's record talking a lot about legislation he has introduced and done little to pass into law: