Replies

Correspondence from Senator Coburn

June 14, 2007

Dear

Thank you for contacting me about the problem of illegal immigration in our country. It is extremely important to me that I hear the opinions and concerns of Oklahomans, especially on such a pressing issue.

As you know, a bi-partisan group of senators reached a compromise with President Bush on a comprehensive reform bill (S. 1348), which was debated by the Senate and ultimately failed to receive enough support for a final vote for passage. Please be assured, I was opposed to this bill and I am glad the legislation did not succeed.

First, I am disappointed in the way Senate leadership handled this immigration bill. It was released in the middle of the night, merely days before debate began, bypassing the Senate Judiciary Committee and preventing senators from taking the time necessary to scrutinize such lengthy, divisive legislation. Furthermore, debate time was extremely limited and very few amendments to the bill were allowed consideration.

Although there were good provisions in the bill, such as a merit-based legal immigration system, the overall bill would have been harmful to our nation and would have done nothing to solve our problems with illegal immigration. I previously outlined fundamental principles that would guide my votes during immigration reform. I support legislation that secures our borders and enforces existing law, but does not contain an amnesty provision of any kind. Unfortunately, S. 1348 offered amnesty to 12 million illegal immigrants and did little to secure our porous borders.

During the debate, I offered an amendment to require that existing border security and immigration laws be enforced, and the enforcement be certified by Congress, before any provisions in the new bill could take effect. The American people expect their laws to be upheld, but have lost faith in Congress and the federal government to defend our nation from illegal immigration. Unfortunately, my amendment was not agreed to, and in the end, I could not support the existing legislation.

It is likely the Senate will consider immigration reform legislation again in the near future. Please know my position on the issue has not changed, and I will continue actively working for reform that protects our borders and upholds our rule of law.

Again, thank you for continuing to contact me on this issue. Best wishes.

Sincerely, A

Tom Coburn, M.D.

United States Senator

TC: ef