Posted on 07/09/2014 1:04:20 PM PDT by PoloSec
Republicans will take the political fall if they don't provide emergency funds to address the immigrant crisis at the southern border, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) warned Wednesday.
A number of conservatives on Capitol Hill are pushing back hard against President Obama's request for almost $4 billion to manage the spike of immigrants — thousands of them unaccompanied minors — that's hit the Texas-Mexico border in recent months.
But Graham, a long-time supporter of an immigration system overhaul, said a failure to provide the funds will exacerbate the crisis while handing Obama and the Democrats a political victory ahead of November's midterm elections.
"If we do that, then we’re going to get blamed for perpetuating the problem," Graham told reporters on Wednesday.
Graham said he needs to take a deeper look at Obama's proposal before weighing in on the $3.7 billion package, adding that he wasn't ready yet to get behind any specific policy changes. But he promoted the idea of Democrats and Republicans coming together to approve new funding and to make policy changes that could streamline the deportation process.
"There will be some Republicans who will probably never give in at all," Graham said, adding that some liberals would likely never approve any policy changes.
On Tuesday, the Obama administration requested $3.7 billion to address the wave of immigrants that's overwhelmed the border, flooding detention centers, clogging immigration courts and swamping local governments attempting to manage the tens of thousands of new arrivals.
Obama's proposal includes $1.8 billion for the Health and Human Services Department to provide "appropriate care" for the migrants; $1.5 billion for the Department of Homeland Security to beef up its border presence; $300 million for the State Department to help stabilize the Central American countries from which many migrants originate; and $64 million for the Justice Department to hire more immigration judges and asylum lawyers.
Democrats on Capitol Hill are calling for a quick approval of the package, but a number of conservative Republicans are balking. Some of those critics are wary that Obama hasn't offset the costs with changes elsewhere in the budget; others oppose spending so much on processing versus deterrent efforts; and still others are questioning the need for Congress to intervene at all.
“I think it’s a charade," Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) said Wednesday. "I think the president has set it up to make it look as though the only reason he’s not enforcing the border is that he doesn’t have the money, and that’s not accurate."
Graham emphasized that any policy changes must address the underlying problems, not just treat the symptoms once the immigrants arrive. But for Republicans to do nothing, he cautioned, would be a mistake.
"Money is necessary because it truly is an emergency. Our capacity is being overwhelmed here," Graham said. "But if you don’t address the root cause of the problem, you really accomplish nothing other than throw money at it."
Little is being said about actually improving border security, even from Repubicans. They shouldn’t give Obama a penny without some immediate shoring up along the border, such as thousands of National Guard troops.
It’s hard to tell the difference sometimes.
We have McCain saying the conditions aren’t good enough, I guess they should all be awarded brick houses on cul-de-sacs with full time maids or something
The GOPE doesn’t want real border security either
FLASHBACK:
18 Jun 2013
GANG OF EIGHT REPUBLICANS JOIN SENATE DEMS TO KILL BORDER SECURITY FENCE
Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ), the four “Gang of Eight” GOP senators, joined Senate Democrats on Tuesday to kill an amendment to their immigration bill that would have required a double-layered fence to be built along the U.S. border with Mexico.
And spend the money needed to build an effective fence/barrier while you are at it.
Tell him to take it from the EPA, IRS, NSA, CIA, DHS, Justice department budgets as well as all the foreign aide going to Palestinian terrorists.
Here comes the surrender.
Obama doesn’t need his pen & phone cause Boehner/Mcconnell will do whatever he wants.
My prediction:
Linseed will ‘officially’ switch parties before the 2016 election.
This will be so he can jockey for position in Hillary’s cabinet, after the GOPe gives us Ronney as the nominee for the 2nd time....
We are so screwed it ain’t funny.
What’s another $3.7 billion down another Obama rathole when you’ve secured your primary in a state obviously overflowing with morons?
“But if you don’t address the root cause of the problem, you really accomplish nothing other than throw money at it.”
The “root cause of the problem” is sitting in the White Hut. Throw the mongrel out, problem solved.
Some congressman was on FOX this AM and said that they aren’t allowed in the detention centers without an appointment, and no cameras or talking with staff or children; and then the administration turns around and wants them to approve billions of dollars in aid.
Who rattled Grahamnesty’s cage?
How does he get off giving BLAME to the people who had nothing to do with this crisis!!!! What a complete idiot! I am voting for the Democrat (whoever she is, transgender or not in November!).
Where did that idiot sprout from? How can one person be so dumb all the time? Send him to the zoo, along with Obama. They would fit in nicely with the animals..
So, does anyone want to tell me I’m disloyal for voting for Graham’s opponent in the general? He’s becoming as arrogant and haughty as Obama, for pity’s sake!!
Vote it down and take the CREDIT, not the blame.
Not another dime for the border. Not a penney. Let Obama own this thing. The optics are already really bad for him. Rick Perry is playing this like a fiddle. The GOP should follow his lead.
South Carol vageyenaina gave us McLame in O8 and keeps foisting Goober on us all again.
More like South Careless RINO’s. What’s in the water down there? Some ‘conservative’ red state.
Oh thank you South Carolina; thank you so bloody much!!
All children not from Mexico and or Canada, entering illegally into the United States of America will be sent 1st class back to countries of origin.
Then Congress will pass a bill funding UA/American/all others airlines to send the children back to country of origin.
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