...... few provisions of the Senate bill have caused more head-scratching among opponents than a last-minute amendment that requires the U.S. to consult with Mexican officials before commencement of any fence construction along the border. "I don't know what they were thinking on that one," Mr. Sensenbrenner said.
Rep. Tom Tancredo, Colorado Republican, said he met last week with a group of hotel executives from Marriott International Inc. He told them about the consultation requirement. "People in the front of the room were saying, 'No. No. That's not possible,' " he recounted. "Really," he told them. "I'm not making this up."
The "consult with Mexico" provision was inserted in the bill moments before it was voted on at the behest of Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, Connecticut Democrat. It says soliciting views "of affected communities lessen tensions and foster greater understanding." "It is simply common sense and common courtesy to consult those individuals in our own communities and in affected communities on the other side of the border before constructing a fence," Mr. Dodd said. The consultation amendment, he said, would "foster the kind of cooperation that is vital if we are going to once and for all secure our borders."
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FORWARD YOUR REMARKS ABOUT SEN DODD'S SUBJUGATING US NATIONAL SECURITY TO MEXICO: EMAIL WATERBURY CONN NEWSPAPER REPORTER phughes@rep-am.com
"Consult" does not equal permission.
The Senate bill is bad. Why do we have to make additional bad things up.