Posted on 03/12/2002 11:28:01 AM PST by Stand Watch Listen
Capitol Hill (CNSNews.com) - A Republican congressman says he will force the House to take a recorded vote on a plan to grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens currently living in the United States. In an exclusive interview with CNSNews.com, Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) said he will block a plan that would allow the House to extend the "245i" provision of U.S. immigration law without members publicly stating their position on the issue. "It's going to be a recorded vote, absolutely, because I'm going to call for a recorded vote," he said. The amnesty extension is set to be considered Tuesday afternoon as part of the House's "suspension calendar," a legislative device normally reserved for non-controversial items such as naming federal buildings. Most items on that calendar are passed by voice vote, with no written record of how particular members voted. "This one is not going to pass that way, I assure you because, if nothing else, if they don't call for a recorded vote, I am going to," Tancredo added. "Now, whether we'll win this, I don't know, but at least we're going to get people on record," he concluded. More to follow.
Then, on to Scott McInnis (R-Co). Yesterday there was no one in that knew what 245i was. Today the response was, "The congressman has reservations about 245i." I added my reservations and reminded him it will be a record vote and we'll all be watching C-Spam. I do share Bush's concerns about reuniting families, but I disagree on the implementation. I believe it best that we work to bring them together on their own side of the border.
Only a few hours left to contact your congress critter and give Tancredo a pat on the back:
Pay attention folks - whoever votes for this amnesty needs to be permanently sent home to their states ASAP to live in the 3rd world sewers they are helping create.
Somehow, I doubt that our Congresscritters are worried about being sent home. They know that a large part of their constituency lives off the largesse of the federal government. They also know that most people pay no real attention to these issues, and just vote their emotions, as instructed by the media. They know that they can safely ignore indignant conservatives.
For my part, I've resolved never to vote for another Republican. Needless to say, I wouldn't pi$$ on a Democrat if he were on fire. From now on, I'll vote for the Constitution Party, or some other group of principled conservatives. Don't tell me that I'll be wasting my vote. The votes I've cast for Republicans were wasted.
Tancredo Will Get Recorded Vote on Amnesty Plan
By Jeff Johnson
CNSNews.com Congressional Bureau Chief
March 12, 2002
Capitol Hill (CNSNews.com) - A Republican congressman has forced the House of Representatives to take a recorded vote on a plan to grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens currently living in the United States.
In an exclusive interview with CNSNews.com, Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) warned that he would block a plan that would allow the House to extend the "245i" provision of U.S. immigration law without members publicly stating their position on the issue.
"It's going to be a recorded vote, absolutely, because I'm going to call for a recorded vote," he said.
The amnesty extension was brought up as part of the House's "suspension calendar," a legislative device normally reserved for non-controversial items such as naming federal buildings. Most items on that calendar are passed by voice vote, with no written record of how particular members voted.
Tancredo rallied members on the House floor to oppose the issue and, when the voice vote was called for, Tancredo's allies interrupted and demanded a recorded vote in accordance with House rules.
"Now, whether we'll win this, I don't know, but at least we're going to get people on record," he concluded.
In 1996, Congress passed the Legal Immigrant Family Equity Act amending U.S. immigration laws. Under section 245i of the LIFE Act, illegal aliens could apply for an "adjustment of status" from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Those eligible included aliens who:
- Entered the United States illegally;
- Worked in the United States illegally;
- Failed to maintain continuously lawful status;
- Entered under the Visa Waiver Pilot Program;
- Entered as foreign crewmen; and
- Entered as foreign travelers in transit without a visa.
That provision expired, however, and under current law, illegal aliens who wish to remain in the United States legally must return to their home country and apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate there.
While the measure was under consideration, several Republicans complained that the manner in which it was introduced was an attempt by Democrats to mislead their colleagues and constituents.
The amnesty extension was included as the sole Senate amendment to H.R. 3525, The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2001, which had already been passed by the House.
"The parliamentary shenanigans we are witnessing today to try to get this legislation through to extend amnesty through to these illegal aliens is unworthy of this body, this representative body, and is bound to confuse our constituents." Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) said.
The actual vote will be postponed until around 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Tuesday. Because the provision is being considered as part of the "suspension calendar" supporters must get a two-thirds majority of House members for it to pass.
"There are a lot of people here who would rather just have a voice vote and not have to be recorded, but we're going to put them on the record," Tancredo said. "And, in doing that, we may even get to the 'magic 140,' because all we need is about 140 members joining us."
Want to do something? Go here:
Ignorance Making You Ill? Cure It!
for links, tools, & instructions about how to contact a pile of different people, and how to send a link to this story right here ( or anywhere else ) to a "mass email" using Outlook Express.
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