Posted on 06/28/2007 2:27:19 PM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
CHAMBLISS: GEORGIANS HAVE SPOKEN, DEMAND BORDER SECURITY FIRST
June 28, 2007
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today made the following statement regarding defeat of the immigration reform bill being considered by the U.S. Senate. Chambliss voted “no” on a procedural motion requiring 60 votes to cut off debate on the bill. The motion failed by a vote of 46-53.
A lot of people have asked me why I became involved in this process initially, and there is a very simple answer: folks in Georgia sent me to Washington to engage in the issues that are important to America, and if we don’t secure the border and fix our broken immigration system our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences of our failure to act.
Senator Isakson and I participated in the process early on because we wanted to ensure that our views and concerns were expressed and that, first and foremost, the border security triggers were included in the bill. I believe our contribution to the process was critical in strengthening key components of the legislation. While it wasn’t incumbent that everybody agree with the overall bill presented to the American people, it was important that we have a meeting of the minds to allow a full and fair debate on this critical issue. Unfortunately, the parameters that the Majority Leader set for this historic debate did not allow all senators the opportunity to offer and vote on amendments to the legislation. I believe this is too important an issue to restrict the rights of senators and the voices of their constituents.
Too often politicians talk and don’t listen. Georgians made their voices heard loud and clear and we have listened. The resounding opinion we heard was: we do not trust the federal government to enforce the laws in this new legislation because it has never enforced our immigration laws in the past; we need to secure the border the first and then deal with the collateral issues. Due to the tremendous response from Georgians, Senator Isakson and I communicated to President Bush that Congress must pass, and he should sign, a supplemental appropriations bill to fully fund the necessary expenditures to secure our borders first and separately from larger immigration reform legislation.
The debate must continue, because the status quo is not working. I will continue fighting for border security and I will continue to oppose amnesty for those who have broken our laws. Georgians demand no less than our fullest commitment to this critical issue.
Its the old CYA speech.
The fact that this press releases needed to be issued causes me smell a RAT on this issue.
In their world, you’re not! We need to start a drive to defeat EVERY senator that supported this illegal amnesty bill! There is 300+ million of us and 100 of them, so I think we have the numbers on our side!
I agree. Chambliss sure has changed his tune. His heart and wallet are with the open borders crowd - that was obvious from his statements last month. At the last minute, realizing that the bill was not going to pass, plus the voters in GA are likely to turn him out, he changed his vote.
I hope the good people of Georgia will remember how this man has insulted them and run a good primary opponent against him next year.
Chambliss poked his head up the first time round, got booed loudly by the Georgia State GOP, got the message real fast, and changed his tune.
Amen brother! They have heard from me and will continue to hear from me. For them to even listen to this mess in the beginning is enough for me to lose faith in them.
“The debate must continue,...”
There is what he means, I’m afraid.
Yeah, but at least now he gets it.
“Georgians made their voices heard loud and clear and we have listened.”
Thank you to the good citizens of Georgia who kept after their senators. Sometimes it works like it’s supposed to.
Saxby was stunned by the boos he received at the GOP convention earlier in the month. Then he consoled himself by deciding that the cheers were becoming louder than the boos when he spoke.
But in the end, neither Chambliss nor Isakson could ignore the fact that their constituents were very, very unhappy. And it finally seemed to penetrate that no matter what ‘triggers’ Johnny wrote into the bill, there was no assurance whatsoever that the border would ever be reinforced or much fence built.
Like everyone, politicians say stupid things. As long as they dont vote stupid, that’s good enough for me.
eyep...their busier than a one-eyed cat watching 5 rat holes about now....but when are they going to understand the American people want border security with ENFORCEMENT OF CURRENT LAWS they keep skirting that conveniently...ya notice?
I think he and Isakson were suckered into this. Bush’s first plan was to create a sense of “bi-partisanship” which included “conservatives” this time around. I think the two were “wined and dined” so to speak, and privileged with hanging out with big wigs, etc. They have no particular experience with immigration to my knowledge.
A ways back, right after the Bush announcment a deal was made, but nevertheless there were reports the bill was still being worked upon, Chambliss gave a blase comment telling us not to worry...I didn’t sense a Kennedy-like derision, but someone who was careless.
I think they learned their lesson about “quickie bills” at least.
I can only say that I am very glad that my senators include Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby, both of whom had the right idea about this bill.
But can we ever say enough good about Jeff Sessions. He is a true hero, and he will have my vote for whatever office he chooses to run for from now on.
I called them every day for about a month-give or take-I emailed them also. At first, in Johnny’s office I could tell the people who answer the phone were being really snotty and had an attitude. Chambliss’s office was always polite. Later Johnny’s office people became more polite. At first they tried to tell me that both felt all legislation deserved an up and down vote...I said this was a vote for amnesty. This was my messge. Then one day I called, and the office people told me neither Senator was voting for cloture-she said the phones was ringing non-stop. Chambliss has a bunch of GA offices. Isakson only has one I think. I did a happy dance and then went to work on other Senators in other states.
Chambliss has asked the feds to stop raiding chicken factories in the south of GA. It has to do with big business. Pilgrim Pride ran ads asking both Senators to vote for the bill-we started a boycott pilgrim pride movement in GA.
The danger is if Chambliss is re-elected and then decides to retire. If he didn’t want to get elected in 2008. No way he would have changed his vote.
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