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?"
Yeah, right!
When it comes to protecting terrorists, every Democrat becomes a born-again Federalist.
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!
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).
ping
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.
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.
You bet, the fish stinks from the head.
"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!
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
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).
And our leaders want to offer drivers licenses to people in our country illegally?
You can't make this stuff up.
"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.
"You can't make this stuff up."
NO ONE would believe it. I trust you had a pleasant Thanksgiving holiday, Joe?
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.