June 8, 2017
By David Mark
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (click here) has been among the nation’s least popular governors for much of 2017, Morning Consult polling shows. A recent legislative reversal of his signature tax-cut program in his state — by fellow Republicans no less — isn’t likely to help his standing.
Kansas lawmakers this week voted to raise taxes by more than $1 billion, rolling back much of Brownback’s five-year-old tax cut package that critics say dropped the Sunflower State into a deep fiscal hole. The GOP-controlled legislature overrode Brownback’s veto and enacted a hike on every Kansas family that pays income taxes. Businesses will also face higher taxes, among other belt-tightening provisions.
Before this week’s action, Brownback was deeply unpopular among his constituents, according to Morning Consult Governor Approval Rankings from April that found Brownback second-to-last behind New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R)....
You would think at some point in his presidency Trump would get tired of having an administration of inept people. I expected some kind of learning curve. It ain't happening as far as I can see.
January 24, 2018
By Sean Sullivan and Julie Zauzmer
The Senate narrowly confirmed (click here) Kansas Republican Gov. Sam Brownback to a diplomatic post to promote religious freedom Wednesday, with GOP leaders needing the help of Vice President Pence to break a deadlock over his controversial nomination.
Brownback was confirmed to be ambassador at large for international religious freedom on a 50-49 margin, with all Democrats united against him and two Republicans absent. Pence cast the tiebreaking vote for Brownback in his role as president of the Senate.
The vote highlighted how polarizing a figure Brownback has become during what has been a divisive tenure as governor of Kansas. It also underscored how narrow the Senate Republican majority is, and illustrated the implications of that razor-thin margin for the GOP agenda....
A little advice for good 'ole Sam. Look, get a really good secretary and have him or her write all the reports. In his tour of the world at the country's expense, Sam may want to consider Russia his first stop.
Sam may want to meet with Mrs. Gingrich to get an inside track on how this religious stuff works internationally.
The Office of International Religious Freedom (click here) has the mission of promoting religious freedom as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy. The office is headed by the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. We monitor religious persecution and discrimination worldwide, recommend and implement policies in respective regions or countries, and develop programs to promote religious freedom.
You would think at some point in his presidency Trump would get tired of having an administration of inept people. I expected some kind of learning curve. It ain't happening as far as I can see.
January 24, 2018
By Sean Sullivan and Julie Zauzmer
The Senate narrowly confirmed (click here) Kansas Republican Gov. Sam Brownback to a diplomatic post to promote religious freedom Wednesday, with GOP leaders needing the help of Vice President Pence to break a deadlock over his controversial nomination.
Brownback was confirmed to be ambassador at large for international religious freedom on a 50-49 margin, with all Democrats united against him and two Republicans absent. Pence cast the tiebreaking vote for Brownback in his role as president of the Senate.
The vote highlighted how polarizing a figure Brownback has become during what has been a divisive tenure as governor of Kansas. It also underscored how narrow the Senate Republican majority is, and illustrated the implications of that razor-thin margin for the GOP agenda....
A little advice for good 'ole Sam. Look, get a really good secretary and have him or her write all the reports. In his tour of the world at the country's expense, Sam may want to consider Russia his first stop.
Sam may want to meet with Mrs. Gingrich to get an inside track on how this religious stuff works internationally.
The Office of International Religious Freedom (click here) has the mission of promoting religious freedom as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy. The office is headed by the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. We monitor religious persecution and discrimination worldwide, recommend and implement policies in respective regions or countries, and develop programs to promote religious freedom.
Given the U.S. commitment to religious freedom, and to the international covenants that guarantee it as the inalienable right of every human being, the United States seeks to:
- Promote freedom of religion and conscience throughout the world as a fundamental human right and as a source of stability for all countries;
- Assist emerging democracies in implementing freedom of religion and conscience;
- Assist religious and human rights NGOs in promoting religious freedom;
- Identify and denounce regimes that are severe persecutors on the basis of religious belief....
