Posted on 07/23/2002 10:06:31 AM PDT by Tancredo Fan
From: epitcavage@fairus.org
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2002 12:30:02 -0400 (EDT)
To: fair_list@capwiz.mailmanager.net
Subject: Criminal Alien Relief Bill Passes Judiciary Committee
Criminal Alien Relief Legislation Passes Judiciary Committee 18-15
FAIR's government relations staff attending the House Judiciary Committee mark-up just reported that the committee approved by a vote of 18-15, H.R. 1452, the Criminal Aliens Relief Bill. The legislation would make it easier for foreign nationals who have been convicted of aggravated felonies to avoid deportation and allow some convicted and deported felons to return to the U.S. and become permanent residents.
As expected, the committee passed by voice vote an amendment offered by Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) that would allow the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General to have sole discretion over who would qualify for a "cancellation of removal" order instead of subordinate Justice Department employees designated by the Attorney General. While this amendment is a helpful change, the bill still offers relief to criminal aliens who are convicted aggravated felons.
Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) was eloquent in his opposition to the amended bill, but lacked the votes to stop the legislation. The original vote was a voice vote, but Smith asked for a recorded vote to make sure the Republicans and Democrats who voted for the bill can be held accountable.
It is unclear whether the House leadership will bring H.R. 1452 to the House floor because this issue divides Republicans while it is fully supported by Democrats.
All of the Democrats present voted for the measure along with the Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Henry Hyde (R-IL), Chris Cannon (R-UT), Darrel Issa (R-CA), and Melissa Hart (R-PA). Thanks for your efforts calling and writing the members of the committee, but unfortunately, special interests won this round. We will work to stop this bill from going to the House floor and will alert you when your assistance is needed.
Republicans
James Sensenbrenner, WI, YES
Henry Hyde, IL, YES
George Gekas, PA, NO
Howard Coble, NC, NO
Lamar Smith, TX, NO
Elton Gallegly, CA, NO
Bob Goodlatte, VA, NO
Steve Chabot, OH, NO
Bob Barr, GA, NO
William Jenkins, TN, NO
Lindsey Graham, SC, NO
Spencer Bachus, AL, NOT PRESENT
John Hostettler, IN, NO
Mark Green, WI, NO
Ric Keller, FL, NO
Darrell Issa, CA, YES
Melissa Hart, PA, YES
Jeff Flake, AZ, NO
Mike Pence, IN, NO
J. Randy Forbes, VA, NO
Democrats
John Conyers, MI, YES
Howard Berman, CA, YES
Barney Frank, MA, YES
Rick Boucher, VA, NOT PRESENT
Jerrold Nadler, NY, YES
Robert Scott, VA, YES
Melvin Watt, NC, YES
Zoe Lofgren, CA, YES
Sheila Jackson-Lee, TX, YES
Maxine Waters, CA, YES
Martin Meehan, MA, YES
William Delahunt, MA, NOT PRESENT
Robert Wexler, FL, NOT PRESENT
Tammy Baldwin, WI, YES
Anthony Weiner, NY, YES
Adam Schiff, CA, YES
If the Republicans want to hold on to the House, they'll drop this loser like a hot potato.
Trial lawyers, LULAC, ACLU, self hating white liberals, anti American socialists and various other multi cultural poverty pimps with a vested interest in keeping the Hispanic community living in poor and violent disenfranchised neighborhoods.
Might I suggest that you look up the local crime victims orgs in your area and advise them of this legislation. They can bring enormous pressure on congress.
I'v already alerted Citizens Against Homicide in Kali..and Parents Of Murdered Children a national support group for homicide victims survivors. As well as contacting my congress critters.
Sensenbrenner is co-sponsor with barney frank of this horrible legisllation.
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