Posted on 05/15/2006 6:44:42 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
Republican members of Congress are weighing in on President Bush’s immigration speech. So far it appears he’s getting mixed reviews. Posted here (in alphabetical order) are statements that I’ve been sent. Rep. Gresham Barrett (R.-S.C.)
“Troops on the border will immediately help stop the flow of illegal immigrants and most importantly, increase our national security. However, this is not a long-term solution. We should not rule out other solutions like those passed by the House in December, including the construction of a fence.
“The American people deserve to know their government is doing everything possible to secure the borders. All options should be on the table. I look forward to hearing what the President has to say this evening.”
House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R.-Mo.)
“The president tonight outlined several steps that will help secure the border. The House looks forward to working with him to implement border security and internal enforcement measures first.
“While I appreciate the president’s willingness to tackle big problems, I have real concerns about moving forward with a guest worker program or a plan to address those currently in the United States illegally until we have adequately addressed our serious border security problems.”
House Majority Leader John Boehner (R.-Ohio)
“The most important priority for the American people on immigration is securing our borders. Providing extra resources and extra security personnel on our borders in an effort to stop illegal immigration is an important initiative, and I applaud the President’s commitment to making our borders more secure. We must look at every available step to strengthen federal and state border security partnerships in order to find a permanent solution to the problem of illegal immigration.
“House Republicans have responded to the concerns of the American people by passing a strong border security bill that reflects our commitment to re-establishing basic respect for our immigration laws and sealing our border against illegal entry. If the Senate passes an immigration bill, I’m committed to working with Chairman Sensenbrenner and House Republicans to ensure we make border security our first priority and meet our commitments to the American people.”
Sen. Larry Craig (R.-Idaho)
“For any immigration reform to work, our borders must first be secured,” Craig said. “For years, I have worked to beef up the resources at the border, and over the last decade, Congress has tripled the number of agents enforcing border and immigration laws. This has helped, but illegal immigration persists. Bringing the resources of the National Guard to bear will free up the Border Patrol and help them be more effective.
“While Congress works on more permanent solutions, including comprehensive immigration reform, I am pleased that the President is taking this bold step, which many of us have been urging, and I will be working with other senators to provide the support this initiative requires.”
Rep. Jeff Flake (R.-Ariz.)
“President Bush deserves credit for his willingness to take on a difficult issue like immigration reform.”
“President Bush is absolutely right that immigration reform must be three-pronged: increased enforcement, a temporary worker program, and a humane, realistic approach for dealing with the illegal immigrant population currently in the U.S.”
“Obviously, simply addressing the enforcement side of the issue might be more politically expedient, but you have to salute President Bush for recognizing that we can’t solve the problem without a temporary worker program and insisting that Congress include one as we debate an immigration reform bill.”
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R.-Tenn.)
“Tonight, President Bush has once again demonstrated his commitment to securing our borders.
“Utilizing the National Guard is an effective, short-term stopgap to immediately strengthen border security as long-range reforms begin to take effect.
“As I’ve maintained from the beginning of this debate, secure borders must be the cornerstone of any comprehensive immigration reform plan. In the last eight months, the Senate has approved nearly $12 billion to bolster security along our borders, hire additional border patrol agents and increase the number of detention beds.
“I thank the President for his strong leadership on this issue and look forward to a thoughtful debate in the Senate this week.”
Rep. Steve King (R.-Iowa)
“Sovereign nations must define their borders, and if we can’t enforce our borders, then a military presence is necessary. Securing our borders is one component of an overall comprehensive immigration policy, which must include enforcing our borders, constructing a fence, compelling employers to hire legal workers, and removing the jobs and birthright magnets that attract illegal aliens here in the first place.”
“Americans are fed up with a government that does not enforce our laws. Although there were two very well-publicized employer raids recently, the government did not sanction one employer in 2004 for hiring illegal aliens. Americans are fed up with the fact that American jobs are given to illegal aliens who will work dirt cheap. They are fed up with our porous borders that leave gaping holes in our national security. I believe the President and the Senate are mistaken if they decide to allow millions of people here to be rewarded with amnesty for breaking the law.
“Illegal immigration and the problems that come with it - crime, human and drug smuggling - will not go away simply by opening up the doors and saying “come on in!” History has shown no indication that illegal immigration will subside until everyone from there who wants to come here is here.
“This country, like every sovereign nation, has its own culture. Americans expect new immigrants to learn English to fully assimilate into our society and share our culture. When we can help them assimilate, law-abiding immigrants to this country will be able to fully pursue the American dream.”
House Republican Conference Vice Chairman Jack Kingston (R.-Ga.)
“The President has announced a five point comprehensive plan on immigration consisting of border security, temporary guest worker program, interior enforcement, deportation and assimilation,” Kingston said. “While there are some blanks to fill in, this is a good step and I’m glad to see that President Bush is getting in the game.”
“Illegal immigration is the number one issue with Americans today and the statistics show why,” Kingston continued. “Last year alone, the U.S. Border Patrol arrested almost 1.2 million people - the majority of who were from Mexico - and estimated that another 500,000 evaded capture. In Georgia, there are an estimated 300,000 illegal immigrants which gives us the seventh largest illegal immigration population in the United States.”
“With tonight’s speech we now have the President saying that he is going to be part of this debate. We need a good bicameral, bipartisan approach to illegal immigration and I am confident we will achieve it.”
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R.-N.C.)
“Illegal immigration threatens our national security and strains our healthcare facilities, schools and social services. President Bush made one step forward and one step backward during tonight’s address. I am encouraged by his plan to increase our security by positioning National Guard troops on the border. This will provide essential – but temporary – security along our porous and vulnerable borders. The better alternative is to enact a comprehensive border security program by constructing fences, bolstering our border patrols and improving our surveillance capabilities.”
“I strongly disagree with the President’s call for a guest worker program. A guest worker program is nothing more than amnesty wearing make-up – it’s easier to look at, but just as ugly underneath. The simple truth is that is that if you break the law to come to this country, you will not respect it once you’re here.”
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Deborah Pryce (R.-Ohio)
“I was encouraged by the President’s address tonight. Illegal immigration is a border security issue, a homeland security issue and a national security issue. First and foremost we need to secure the border, and I am pleased to hear the President outline ideas that will do just that.
“While the President’s efforts to shore up our borders are important, illegal immigration impacts every facet of our society – security, education, social services, and health care. It is therefore of profound importance to America that Congress put partisan politics aside to move quickly, yet thoughtfully, and pass a final reform package.”
House Republican Study Committee Chairman Mike Pence (R.-Ind.)
“A nation without borders is not a nation. Tonight the President of the United States has reaffirmed our nation’s commitment to take all necessary measures to achieve border security and I welcome his strong leadership.”
Rep. Joe Wilson (R.-S.C.)
“Throughout our lives, we’ve always heard that actions speak louder than words. America can have the strongest immigration policies in the world, but until our laws are carried out with the strength of our intentions, millions of people will continue to illegally stream across our borders.
“Tonight, President Bush demonstrated his commitment to securing our country. By placing thousands of National Guard troops on our borders, he will help decrease illegal immigration, stop drug trafficking, and prevent terrorism. As a former Guardsman, I know our troops are well prepared to assist temporarily with this critical mission. I appreciate President Bush’s strong leadership on this issue and will continue to work with him to find a long-term solution to securing America’s borders.”
Don't know about you but I wouldn't eat mexican lettuce if it were 10 cents a head don't know what it has been washed with or grown in.
I agree with employer sanctions. But if they are going to stay, then they must assimilate. If that means reducing the numbers of guest workers, then so be it. They must pay taxes and learn English if they ultimately want citizenship.
But more important than assimilation is securing the border. If we cannot completely determine/control who enters the country, then assimilation is a moot point.
Lastly, I just want to point out that the illegal immigrant problem goes back way before Bush jr. Those conservatives who insist that Bush deport all illegal immigrants or else lose their vote, are placing the president in lose-lose situtation. The political damage done by attempting this would be insurmountable.
Those who insist on voting Constitutional Party will acheive three things: 1) Their Constitutional Party candidate will lose. 2) Their incumbent(where applicable) Republican representative will lose. and 3) A Democrat will probably take his/her place. Resist the temptation to unduly punish the GOP.
Cheech, you might have just made the ONLY funny post on this thread tonite. Gotta keep the olde sense of humor, no matter what! Thank you. (I needed that)
The economy is not in a place to fill in for 5 to 10 million missing workers. Dream if you like that we can, but there is no such thing as negative unemployment. Jobs need to be filled with legal employees from somewhere. And, this has to be accounted for by folks who actually have to do something rather than just shake their fists at the sky. Still, the angry base will just add discipline to aid the House and blunt the plans of the Senate. Its the best it can be.
The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War. The elites never seem to get it. They think the only way to create wealth is to screw the worker.
Don't be posting the truth here you will be called a troll.
Me thinks that this is the most pragmatic statement made in a long time here. Although I still push for the entire illegal community to leave we know that it won;t happen, However, don't give the illegals an inch because they will take a mile.
I hear ya. But there's got to be a way to accomplish this. Call me a Pollyanna, but I believe there's always a solution. It just isn't glaringly apparent at the moment.
One thing I think is wise, tho, is to give things a little time. Emotions are running high tonite but after things cool off a bit, I'm betting it'll be easier to come up with a satisfactory solution to this problem. Hell, if they can make currency that's unfakable, why can't they make an id or social security card that's not fakable? (uh oh....I sense another 'Big Government conspiracy freakout' coming on. I'll shut up now)
I thought it was a great speech. One of his best. I agree with most freepers as shown in tonight's poll that it's a good start and will be even better if congress drops the guest worker plan. No way does it 100% satisfy the far left or the far right but most Americans liked his speech and will support his plan.
How many illegal aliens are there in Washington state? Call this number "n".
What percentage of them vote illegally (call this number "v").
What percentage of those vote Democrat (call this number "d"). It seems to me that if 2nvd-nv > 129, illegal invaders stole the election. I don't think any reasonable person would suggest 'd' is less than 2/3, or that 'v' is less than 1%. Is there any reasonable person who would suggest that there are fewer than 38,700 illegals in Washinton state?
I smelled the coffee long ago - Just venting.
You're right ,he handed 2006 and 2008 to the democratic party tonight.
Exactly.. and worse..
Then just raise the minimum wage to $50 per hour. There...no more "screwing over" cheap labor. Some how, I don't think the results would be as rosy as you suggest.
"FOR ENGLISH, PRESS ONE--FOR ESPANOL, PRESS DUOS",,,,
every single time we make a darn phone call to a some company!!!
Until that day finally comes--any talk of assimilation is a total joke.
I think there are many things that could discourage the illegals. No government business in any language but English. No government benefits. Emergency medical treatments should be followed by legal action (I realize you cannot refuse medical treatment to anyone). No schools. No automatic citizenship for offspring. I think more than the jobs, the benefits that we bestow on them is the greater magnet, and we make it easier by speaking their language.
Good speech.
I would have liked a bit tougher such as a real fence, but I am just pleased he is willing to increase enforcement at all.
We have to understand how difficult an issue this is to try to fix, and I give him slack due to that.
Actually I was thinking more .
How's that for discouraging them? (s-off)
lol....where do you get your figures?
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