Posted on 07/11/2013 8:39:58 AM PDT by Lakeshark
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was issued today by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) following a special meeting of the House Republican Conference to discuss the issue of immigration reform:
“Today House Republicans affirmed that rather than take up the flawed legislation rushed through the Senate, House committees will continue their work on a step-by-step, common-sense approach to fixing what has long been a broken system. The American people want our border secured, our laws enforced, and the problems in our immigration system fixed to strengthen our economy. But they don’t trust a Democratic-controlled Washington, and they’re alarmed by the president’s ongoing insistence on enacting a single, massive, Obamacare-like bill rather than pursuing a step-by-step, common-sense approach to actually fix the problem. The president has also demonstrated he is willing to unilaterally delay or ignore significant portions of laws he himself has signed, raising concerns among Americans that this administration cannot be trusted to deliver on its promises to secure the border and enforce laws as part of a single, massive bill like the one passed by the Senate.”
The first one would be a betrayal, it's what we fear, the passing of a bill that would be the Trojan Horse to go to conference with the Senate bill.
The second: He IS killing the bill, while defusing the media/democrat demagoguery by making it look like he's giving it a chance. The reason I'm thinking this is his likely method: He won't allow ANY vote on something the majority of the House GOP wants to bring up, otherwise known as the Hastert rule.
I'm not trusting enough to believe we've won, I just think it's leaning our way as long as we keep the pressure on. I hope this is true, see some evidence of it being true, just don't trust it yet.....
I think this is what some of us are saying. We don't need another law. We need to enforce the laws we have.
This reminds me of one of Clinton's dodges when he was president. Periodically he would get caught violating campaign finance laws (remember the millions from China?). Every time that happened, he would call for comprehensive campaign finance reform, and imply that it was the GOP’s fault he was violating the law. Pretty soon, here comes McCain to promote the same thing giving us the monstrosity we have now.
Now we have a president (not the first) who won't effectively enforce immigration law and he demands another law. And here come at least some Repubs doing backflips to give it to him.
Why are you suggesting I want another law? I’ve said no such thing. My take is post #41: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3041685/posts?page=41#41
It's damn good, like they've been reading the kind of things that we post here. I really like their saying they can't trust Obama.
Maybe they got the message after seeing what happened to Rubio's standing when he traitored us.
It's good that we point out when they do bad things like the Senate pubby traitors have done. We also need to be on their side when they do the right thing.
Pardon me for taking the Reagan position of skepticism: Trust but verify. Conservatives have been screwed far too many times.
Sounds like they’re considering sending an enforcement/appropriation bill to the Senate and preparing a reform bill to vote on the day that bill is signed by the president.
The only way to force the Dems to deal with the problem.
But it could mean lot of things...
Now, among that rank and file, you have a percentage of Rinos that are all for it. They are the ones that will vote with the Dems after the conference bill comes back. Then you have a large group of conservatives who don't like the Senate bill, but who think that we need to do something. They are the ones Boehner and the GOPe will end up screwing. That may be the majority of the caucus, I don't know. Then you have another group, the one I would be in, who say "don't do anything. Just enforce the law". Stop following the marxist agenda and reacting to them all the time. Deal with the economy, jobs, Obamacare, budget, excessive regulations, etc. etc. The things that Americans care about, not the manufactured things that the Dems are pushing with the help of their friends in the media so that Republicans will never win another election.
So, those are the factions. Now, the statement means that the conservative representatives who think we need to do something are in charge. They are going to work on a bill. It will undoubtedly be strong on security and enforcement and all the things we will say "hurray!" over. And at some point, Boehner will say, "good job, boys, let's bring it for a vote". Dems will huff and puff and it will seem like a good bill, so all the Republicans will vote for it and it will pass.
If the Republicans care about where a revenue bill originates, the Senate will take up the House bill and amend it to be identical to the Senate bill that has already passed. Then pass it. Then there will be a conference. Now, this cannot be denied: the conference committee will be appointed by the House leadership that likes the Senate bill. Boehner hates real conservatives. No one will be on that committee who would say no to a deal because it has citizenship. Ryan will be on it for one. Other GOPe guys personally appointed by Boehner. They will do a deal with the Senate, and we will not like it. And Boehner will see that it comes back and is passed, whether he has to use Dem votes or not. Those same dems who moaned the first time will all vote for it this time, maybe even pretending to dislike the bill while doing so, to give conservatives cover. It will all be theater. I don't know if Boehner can avoid a vote on it when it comes back from conference, but I don't think he can. I think a majority can force a vote. So, he can't be blamed for violating the Hastert rule.
The only way to avoid this whole charade is to not play the game. Don't accept the premise of a broken immigration system that JUST HAS TO BE FIXED RIGHT NOW! The only thing broken is the enforcement. I would argue that there will be no discussion about what to do with those here until we have actually tried enforcing existing law AND implemented border security. Until then, we have nothing to talk about.
So, taking it up as an issue at all is to play into the Dems hands. The statement indicates that the house will do that. That is why it is bad. We have to convince the group that is conservative, but wants to do SOMETHING that we do not have to do anything. Except apply counter pressure--hearings about lack of enforcement, employers who use illegal labor and don't hire Americans, effects on US wages, etc. etc. And you are right, the people and our pressure are having an impact. We do need to keep it up. And what we need to demand is NO BILL. Just enforcement. Regards.
That's entirely possible. Right now I think they're actually doing my second alternative, which is killing it slowly with an intelligent method: claiming to be trying to do something while actually killing the bill.
I hope you are wrong, knowing that you could be correct. It's why we need to not give up, but continue to let our voices be heard. I'm in a good conversation with one of my reps aides, there is some reason to be hopeful: Trust but verify (and keep up the pressure) is my position.
Here is my post today to my congressman’s facebook page (tweeted too). He has always opposed Obama, but with immigration sometimes all bets are off:
“The GOP had a big meeting about immigration yesterday. Please tell us what is going on!!!! If you really oppose Obama, oppose what he wants most: a path-to-citizenship for 10s of millions who would vote overwhelmingly Democrat.”
Short, and to the point.
Thank you so much, Lakeshark!
I will keep calling!
” We do need to keep it up. And what we need to demand is NO BILL. Just enforcement. “
K I L L
T H E
B I L L
I would add, "... and to deliberately lie about deportation statistics."
Thank you so much for the links to Senators and Congress!
We’re on the same side.
We don't trust anybody in Washington on this issue, Republicans included.
Excellent post to your congressman’s facebook page (tweeted too).
” “Just vote ‘yes’ now, its our only chance, we need those hispanics, the system is broken. BLA-BLA-BLA” “
Hard to sell now, as all polls show Hispanics want enforcement, NOT amnesty.
Yep
In those kind of negotiations, you need to be willing to walk away. The GOPe's biggest problem in dealing with Obama these past few years is they refuse to do that, whether it is the budget, the debt ceiling or any other issue. They always think they need to make a deal, and that gives the other side leverage.
So, all things considered, I don't see any way that the House can proceed down this path without it being a disaster. As the computer said in War Games, the only sane choice is not to play.
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