Three boys in Mexico run toward the fence that marks the U.S. border near El Paso. On the other side is a field where children often play soccer.
Posted on 10/06/2006 12:34:29 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
No sooner did Congress authorize construction of a 700-mile fence on the U.S.-Mexico border last week than lawmakers rushed to approve separate legislation that ensures it will never be built, at least not as advertised, according to Republican lawmakers and immigration experts.
GOP leaders have singled out the fence as one of the primary accomplishments of the recently completed session. Lawmakers plan to highlight their $1.2 billion down payment on its construction as they campaign in the weeks before the midterm elections.
Shortly before recessing late Friday, the House and Senate gave the Bush administration leeway to distribute the money to a combination of projects -- not just the physical barrier along the southern border. The funds may also be spent on roads, technology and "tactical infrastructure" to support the Department of Homeland Security's preferred option of a "virtual fence."
What's more, in a late-night concession to win over wavering Republicans, GOP congressional leaders pledged in writing that Native American tribes, members of Congress, governors and local leaders would get a say in "the exact placement" of any structure, and that Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff would have the flexibility to use alternatives "when fencing is ineffective or impractical."
Loopholes leave the Bush administration with authority to decide where, when and how long a fence will be built, except for small stretches east of San Diego and in western Arizona. Homeland Security officials have proposed a fence half as long, lawmakers said.
"It's one thing to authorize. It's another thing to actually appropriate the money and do it," said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.). The fine-print distinction between what Congress says it will do and what it actually pays for is a time-honored result of the checks and balances between lawmakers who oversee agencies and those who hold their purse strings.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Three boys in Mexico run toward the fence that marks the U.S. border near El Paso. On the other side is a field where children often play soccer.
Well once again the Junk Media LIES to us. $1.2 Billion is authorized to be spent by the bill. The MONEY IS IN THE BILL. Perhaps the Washington Poop should actually find out the facts rather then merely printing Democrats "Split the GOP" propaganda.
While this might be liberal spin, the truth is that wiggle room was put in. Wiggle room that infested departments, congresscritters, and liberals across the region of the border will abuse.
Do you believe everything politicians tell you?
On this issue, I am inclined to believe its all a big farce until proven otherwise. I am very cynical about the political will of Congress on stopping illegal immigration--and that goes for both parties.
Do you have comprehension problems?
FWIW, MNJ, that sounds like one mother of an impedidment to me.
impediment....
Well, it only took a FULL week for the media to start reporting on the truth of the matter.
"And while Congress wants 700 miles of fencing, it was appropriating ONLY enough money to complete about 370 miles of it, Congressional aides acknowledged, leaving it unclear as to whether the entire structure will be built.
Dana Perino, deputy White House press secretary, said Friday that Mr. Bush intended to keep pressing Congress for a BROADER fix. She said the White House was hopeful that Congress would return to the issue after the elections."
"It's one thing to authorize. It's another thing to actually appropriate the money and do it," said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.)
----- just like it's one thing to be a Republican but another thing all together to go to the polls and actually vote for Republican mugwumps.
Anyone with a DeLorme Atlas can see that the hardliners are spitting in the wind if they think they can build this fence at the price they say they can.
This reminds me of the law passed to allow for the arming of pilots. The bureaucracy managed to stop that program.
The same will happen here. The politicians don't want a border fence. It's only because conservative voters have been getting uppity of late that they've even considered the issue.
"Broader fix" = "comprehensive" = AMNESTY FOR MILLIONS, just exactly what Bush's amigo Vicente demanded, and Vicente is the one running the show.
Just exactly what the majority of Americans are strongly AGAINST.
This is sold as a "News" report? The statement above is utter nonsense. The Executive ALWAYS decides when, where and how. They EXECUTE the Congress appropriates. This is like saying the sky is blue or the sun rises in the east. It is completely hysteric nonsense. Demonstrates a complete cluelessness as to how our Government works. "Loop holes allow"? This is HOW ever law works. The Congress passes legislation, the Executive executes that legislation.
At the risk of sounding "clueless" or hysterical, how can we expect the executive to enforce new border security laws when it is not enforcing the old laws?
http://clerkkids.house.gov/laws/index.html
And this is surprising because...
Every single one of those people in D.C. have a role to play in the game of, "Let's fool the people into believing we are working for them"...
It's one thing to authorize. It's another thing to actually appropriate the money and do it," said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.).
Well this guy should be fired if he is this stupid. The $1.2 billion is IN the bill but I suspect it is another case of a selective edit of a Conservative politican's quote to give the Attack machine hit piece a phony air of legitimacy
ping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.