Bilbray sworn in to House to replace former Randy Cunningham

AP ^ | 6/13/6 | ERICA WERNER

[SmithL]

WASHINGTON -- A week after his special-election victory — and six months after his predecessor pleaded guilty to bribery — San Diego Republican Brian Bilbray was sworn in to the House Tuesday to replace ex-Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham.

After House Speaker Dennis Hastert administered the oath, Bilbray, 55, gave a floor speech sounding the theme he believes boosted him to victory — illegal immigration, not congressional corruption.

"We did not enjoy the situation or appreciate the problem that created the vacancy," Bilbray said. "But let me say quite clearly — what is obvious in the last few months is the greatest scandal in America is not that one man broke the law, but that 12 million illegal immigrants are in this country and Washington isn't doing enough about it."

Bilbray, who served in the House from 1995 to 2000 in a different San Diego-area district, beat Democrat Francine Busby by four percentage points with 49 percent of the vote. Both major parties spent heavily on the race in Cunningham's wealthy, heavily Republican coastal district, believing that a Democratic upset could signal serious risks for the GOP in the November midterm elections.

Bilbray will now fill out the remaining seven months of Cunningham's term and will have to run against Busby again in November. But their rematch is expected to attract far less attention.

[edpc]

No doubt there was a little 'swearing' from Busby, as well.

[Grampa Dave]

Pelosi's response to the swearing in of Bilbray.

[b4its2late]

Another Merry Fitzmas moment.

[Xenalyte]

Bilbray sworn in to House to replace former Randy Cunningham

So Bilbray will now be known as Randy Cunningham?

[nolaw0ady]

I think so. I think he also gets the yacht.

[Raycpa]

Why is he no longer randy, did he get a date?

[SmithL]

Now, there's a moral victory if I ever saw one.

[Thebaddog]

They still show Randy's gun camera footage on History Channel and his interviews in Viet Nam. Sad

[b9]

"We did not enjoy the situation or appreciate the problem that created the vacancy," Bilbray said. "But let me say quite clearly — what is obvious in the last few months is the greatest scandal in America is not that one man broke the law, but that 12 million illegal immigrants are in this country and Washington isn't doing enough about it."

WooHOO!!!

Knocking it out of the ballpark, right at the starting gate ~ to mix a couple metaphors...

[conservativecorner]

A Republican and shamnesty plan opponent. Plenty of great news today.

[phillyfanatic]

Still, 5,000 votes cannot be a charm for Brian. He needs to really get out the vote in Nov. or he could still be in hot water. The RNC got too much credit for the victory. It was local people who walked those precincts and rousted out GOP voters. More will have to be done in the 50th and the problem of Pa. Curt Weldon shows that no GOP district is really safe. If the news of this week holds and gets better with W finally understanding illegal immigration, it should be easier to get out the troops in Nov.

[Liz]

And while the Senate atrocity bill fines aliens $2,000 before obtaining citizenship, opponents say it's hardly comparable punishment for the array of crimes the illegals have committed while working here. In addition to sneaking across the border, many have counterfeited documentation, committed Social Security fraud and cheated on taxes.

Mr. Sensenbrenner said in response: "An American who commits Social Security fraud ends up going to jail. An American who fails to pay taxes for two years ends up in the federal penitentiary. An illegal alien who does this gets citizenship."

[msjhall]

"what is obvious in the last few months is the greatest scandal in America is not that one man broke the law, but that 12 million illegal immigrants are in this country and Washington isn't doing enough about it."

That was worth repeating.

[Soul Seeker]

WooHoo! And the day gets even better.

I want BilBray on any committee with the Senate if there MUST be a Committe. I'd rather the HOuse simply draw a red X over the bill and dump it in the trash.

[Dilbert56]

Maybe the "former Randy Cunningham" got married in prison and changed his name.

[Jameison]

"Mr. Sensenbrenner said in response: "An American who commits Social Security fraud ends up going to jail. An American who fails to pay taxes for two years ends up in the federal penitentiary. An illegal alien who does this gets citizenship." "

BINGO!
Kill the McCain/Kennedy Amnesty Bill swiftly!

[NYC Republican]

So Bilbray will now be known as Randy Cunningham?

LOL.

[OldFriend]

Welcome to the House, Sir.

[b9]

Welcome back to the House! He served before and was gerrymandered out.

Darth Clinton himself came to SD to campaign for the rival who beat him.
So glad Bilbray's back. This time with a megaphone and a national audience.