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9/11 Commishes: Leave Immigration Loophole Open
Newsmax.com ^ | Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004 3:00 p.m. EST | With Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

Posted on 11/28/2004 1:41:30 PM PST by Prost1

The chairman and vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission said Sunday that Congress shouldn't press to close a giant national security loophole exploited by the 9/11 hijackers before passing new intelligence reform legislation - even though the Commission itself urged dealing with the problem.

"We're very reluctant to see that whole bill held up just by this one provision," Commission chairman Tom Kean told NBC's "Meet the Press," when asked about a proposal favored by House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisc., to deny drivers licenses to potential terrorists who are non-citizens.

Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004 3:00 p.m. EST 9/11 Commishes: Leave Immigration Loophole Open

The chairman and vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission said Sunday that Congress shouldn't press to close a giant national security loophole exploited by the 9/11 hijackers before passing new intelligence reform legislation - even though the Commission itself urged dealing with the problem.

"We're very reluctant to see that whole bill held up just by this one provision," Commission chairman Tom Kean told NBC's "Meet the Press," when asked about a proposal favored by House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisc., to deny drivers licenses to potential terrorists who are non-citizens.

"I mean, we recognize that [Sensenbrenner] wants this very, very badly," Kean continued. "But to hold up every single one of these other provisions to make the American people safer for this one provision or two provisions, to me doesn't make any sense." Vice chairman Lee Hamilton acknowledged that Sensenbrenner's provision was part of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations, but said closing the terrorist loophole wasn't the job of the federal government.

"There isn't any doubt that the hijackers use the state driver's licenses to get by a lot of checkpoints," he told "Meet the Press." "So standards are important here."

"But the fundamental question . . . . whether or not, for example, you issue a driver's license, that's a state matter and ought to be resolved by the state," Hamilton contended.

Appearing on ABC's "This Week," Rep. Sensenbrenner argued that preventing terrorists from getting drivers licenses was critical to preventing another 9/11-style attack.

"The 19 murderers on Sept. 11 got 63 separate legally-issued drivers licenses from five states. They used those to open bank accounts and to get on the plane."

Sensenbrenner warned that unless the terrorist loophole was closed, U.S. law enforcement wouldn't be able to prevent another 9/11-style attack.

"The 9/11 Commission specifically recommended that aliens who are here on temporary visas, which were the 9/11 murderers, have their drivers licenses expire on the date of the expiration of their visas," he noted.

"What's wrong with having a uniform national standard to apply to drivers licenses so that people who want to commit terrorist attacks can't game the system?" the Wisconsin Republican asked. "What good is reorganizing intelligence if we don't have homeland security?"


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 911commission; 911hijackers; aliens; gorelick; immigrantlist; intelligencereform; rino; sensenbrenner; tomkean
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Pelosi supports quick passage of the bill. So do many others....Why can't they get behind the most important aspect of 9/11, illegal uncontrolled immigration and driver's licenses?

Yeah, right!

1 posted on 11/28/2004 1:41:30 PM PST by Prost1
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To: Prost1
"But the fundamental question . . . . whether or not, for example, you issue a driver's license, that's a state matter and ought to be resolved by the state," Hamilton contended.

When it comes to protecting terrorists, every Democrat becomes a born-again Federalist.

2 posted on 11/28/2004 1:50:01 PM PST by John Thornton ("Appeasers always hope that the crocodile will eat them last." Winston Churchill)
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To: Prost1

National Security and Borders is a Federal issue. If I were govenor of California I would demand all tax dollars come to the state to be paid to the Federal government. No tax dollars could be collected by the federal government. No federal agents would be permitted to exercise authority in California without state approval. If the Feds wished to withhold Fed $$, California would withhold all taxes collected. The Feds would have to settle the border or they wouldn't get a dime!
Any Fed judge that wished to interfere would be arrested. 10th Amendment would prevail. Book 'em Dano!


3 posted on 11/28/2004 2:00:40 PM PST by Prost1 (If you teach what your history teachers taught you, you will be corrected...)
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To: Prost1

Kean said a couple of times that "80% of Americans support passage of the bill."

I would venture to say that 80% of Americans have not heard of the bill and that of the 20% who have, 80% of them have not read it, and that of the 20% who have, 80% don't understand it. (Myself included).


4 posted on 11/28/2004 2:18:56 PM PST by lancer (If you are not with us, you are against us!)
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To: Prost1
Here's my question. The republicans are a majority.

Which republicans are against the drivers license ban. Let's have their names. Who are they? Inquiring minds want to know.
5 posted on 11/28/2004 2:22:48 PM PST by rcocean
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To: Prost1
Who said we have to listen to the 9-11 commission anyhow, who elected them ? Tell them to apply for an international drivers license, at take a long drive ....
6 posted on 11/28/2004 4:37:10 PM PST by seastay
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To: lancer
Kean said a couple of times that "80% of Americans Kristen Breitweiser and 100% of the Jersey Girls support passage of the bill."
7 posted on 11/28/2004 4:58:28 PM PST by CFC__VRWC (It's not evidence of wrongdoing just because Democrats don't like the outcome.)
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To: 1_Inch_Group; 2sheep; 2Trievers; 3AngelaD; 4.1O dana super trac pak; 4Freedom; 4ourprogeny; ...

ping


8 posted on 11/29/2004 9:50:33 AM PST by gubamyster
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To: Prost1

They bithc about these :one or two provisions" holding up the rest of the bill but fail to acknowledge that those provisions will never see the light of day if they aren't on this bill.

Any elected official who does not support closing the loopholes exploited by illegals and terrorists is a traitor and should be identified as such.


9 posted on 11/29/2004 9:54:20 AM PST by Bikers4Bush (Flood waters rising, heading for more conservative ground. Vote for true conservatives!)
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To: Prost1

The so-called "loophole" of illegal aliens (people who don't belong here) being able to get documentation that integrates them into the fabric of American society is only the most important part of Homeland Security! Without that part, the rest of it is pretty much meaningless.


10 posted on 11/29/2004 9:57:50 AM PST by jpl (The tribe has spoken, now for goodness sake, get a life.)
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To: Prost1
National Security and Borders is a Federal issue.

You bet, the fish stinks from the head.

11 posted on 11/29/2004 10:02:58 AM PST by Joe Hadenuf (I failed anger management class, they decided to give me a passing grade anyway)
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To: Prost1

"Vice chairman Lee Hamilton acknowledged that Sensenbrenner's provision was part of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations, but said closing the terrorist loophole wasn't the job of the federal government. "


Then just who's job is it????????? Good greif!


12 posted on 11/29/2004 10:13:19 AM PST by AuntB (A people only understand the concept of democracy if they've fought and died for it.)
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To: rcocean

The house leadership just wants a bill passed, they could care less what's in it....except of course if it appears to discriminate against illegals! A handful, Sensenbrenner, Hostettler, Hoeskstra, Hayworth, and others I forget are for the immigration parts of the bill. The bill passed with those provisions in the house. It is the Senate (den of traitors) and the administration who will not stand for it!

Congressional switchboard: 1-877- 762-8762

White House comments: 1-202-456-1111


13 posted on 11/29/2004 10:17:49 AM PST by AuntB (A people only understand the concept of democracy if they've fought and died for it.)
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To: Joe Hadenuf
"The 19 murderers on Sept. 11 got 63 separate legally-issued drivers licenses from five states.

Something I always wondered about this statement....

Don't most states still ask you to surrender you 'previous' states license ?? Tx did when I moved here.

If you lie & claim no previous license, have you then *legally* obtained your new license??

Can 19 *citizens* legally hold 63 licenses from different states, with different addresses?

(but then this *might* be just one of those laws that apply to *citizens only*.....since *sooo* many do, nowdays).

14 posted on 11/29/2004 10:21:40 AM PST by txdoda ("Navy Brat")
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To: txdoda
"The 19 murderers on Sept. 11 got 63 separate legally-issued drivers licenses from five states.

And our leaders want to offer drivers licenses to people in our country illegally?

You can't make this stuff up.

15 posted on 11/29/2004 10:28:25 AM PST by Joe Hadenuf (I failed anger management class, they decided to give me a passing grade anyway)
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Comment #16 Removed by Moderator

To: AuntB
"Vice chairman Lee Hamilton acknowledged that Sensenbrenner's provision was part of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations, but said closing the terrorist loophole wasn't the job of the federal government. "

"We the people" should demand any *mandatory* mental health checks should start in Washington DC, & 'idiot' Lee Hamilton should be first after the above statement.

17 posted on 11/29/2004 10:37:38 AM PST by txdoda ("Navy Brat")
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To: Joe Hadenuf

18 posted on 11/29/2004 10:38:11 AM PST by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: janetgreen
No wonder we're told it's going to be a *looong* WOT.

Looks like the DC idiots entend to extend it further by leaving the *loopholes* open.

Exactly why we're invaded with illegals.....No one in DC willing to close the *loopholes* on ALL the freebies.
19 posted on 11/29/2004 10:46:15 AM PST by txdoda ("Navy Brat")
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To: Joe Hadenuf

"You can't make this stuff up."


NO ONE would believe it. I trust you had a pleasant Thanksgiving holiday, Joe?


20 posted on 11/29/2004 10:53:15 AM PST by AuntB (A people only understand the concept of democracy if they've fought and died for it.)
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