TN Congressman Zack Wamp(R) set to oppose Bush immigration proposal

The Chattanoogan ^ | 01/13/04 | Staff Reporters

[JDGreen123]

Congressman Zach Wamp (R-TN) said he is a staunch supporter of President George Bush, but he said he won't go along with the president's immigration plan.

"I cannot support amnesty for 8-10 million people who are here illegally," Rep. Wamp told the East Ridge Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. Saying he will vote No on the plan, Rep. Wamp said the policy "waters down the rule of law." He said it also says to others across the border "to come on, come on."

Rep. Wamp said the U.S. does need a guest worker program here. But he said if there is a shortage of illegal aliens who are willing to work for very low wages that U.S. firms "may start paying better prices and then maybe some Americans will start taking those jobs - if they pay $10 an hour instead of $8." He also said it is necessary "for us to secure our borders better."

Rep. Wamp told the group that the decline of American manufacturing is a serious problem. "We can't be a nation of consumers. We can't survive if nobody is making products." He said Wal-Mart has become the largest employer in 20 states, and he said 60 percent of Wal-Mart items are imported from China. Rep. Wamp said global monetary policies and trade agreements need to be altered to insure higher wages and environmental protection in other countries.

Rep. Wamp said the prescription drug bill is "a huge new entitlement," and he said drugs will actually cost more in 2006 when the bill goes into effect. Noting that the drug lobby is the strongest of those lobbying Congress, he said cost containment measures were taken out of the bill before it was passed. He said there is "not enough competition" among the big drug companies.

Rep. Wamp said the U.S. must remain on the offensive against terrorism. He said terrorism attacks were thwarted during the holidays, and he said about 200 planned attacks have been stopped since 9/11.

[JDGreen123]

Congressman Wamp is one of the most often mentioned names to replace Bill Frist if he decides not to run for another term. I feel like Congressman Wamp pretty much summed up what most people in Tennessee feel about this immigration proposal and the loss of industry and jobs.

[jcb8199]

Amnesty to all the illegals is a great idea!

Think about it: the reason they get our jobs is because businesses can pay them LOWER WAGES. So if we make a law that says you have to pay them EQUAL wages, what allure do businesses have to hire them? Lots more red tape involved, plus the threat of gov't action for hiring an illegal. So the job goes to an American.

See the logic? Let's make mandatory equal wages for illegals--that way businesses will quit hiring them and they will all go home!

[reelfoot]

Zack Wamp BUMP for having the courage to buck the party line.

[The Old Hoosier]

Wamp is right. He's also one hell of a quirky guy, though. He was pro-CFR.

[PersonalLiberties]

I just moved to TN and am trying to get to speed. Frist confuses me too. It is so hard to tell the wolves from the sheep anymore. LOL

[PersonalLiberties]

That is a more positive way to view it.

[RiflemanSharpe]

Good for him.

[joesnuffy]

Don't forget as long as they will be collecting Social Security ...they should also get all affirmative action benefits (as they all minorities), quotas,low interest business and housing loans, grants for everything they need..not only free college but stipends loans grants....etc etc...

These new quasi citizens deserve the whole magilla of perks...just for being here....

Better start building more prisons and hiring a hundred tons more of social workers ..while you're at it...

[skeeter]

Tell me whats to stop an employer from hiring an illegal, even after the plan has been implemented.

Then tell me again why we need a new plan at all.

[JohnnyZ]

Zach Wamp has been way to RINOish in Congress to be the best choice to succeed Frist. He's a McCain in the making. We need a conservative like Van Hilleary or Marsha Blackburn.

[Redbob]

Good for him; I knew I like Zack.