Senate backs sending National Guard to patrol border

The Dallas Morning News ^ | 05/22/06 | MICHELLE MITTELSTADT

[unseen]

WASHINGTON - The Senate, nearing completion on an immigration overhaul, on Monday strongly endorsed President Bush's plan to deploy the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border.

By an 83-10 vote, senators approved an amendment by Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., that sets parameters for the use of 6,000 National Guardsmen in support of the Border Patrol. Troops would be excluded from "search, seizure, arrest or similar activity" and tours of duty could not exceed 21 days.

[unseen]

Well for any that thought sending the guard to the border by the President was anything else then a dog and pony show, this vote about sums it up.

The guard will NOT BE ALLOWED TO search,seize,arrest,or anything that comes close to protecting the border. And to top it all up each gaurdsman will only be at the border for 21 days max. that isn't even enough time to find out where the outhouse is let only figure out measures to stop the smugglers.

[PISANO]

Dissappointed in my Senator. What a sham!!

[Enterprise]

Somehow I don't think this whole episode qualifies anyone in the Senate for a chapter in "Profiles in Courage."

[Paladin2]

This is a joke for all but the NG people involved.

[GarySpFc]

Yep, you can bet Senator Samamnesty Brownback voted to have the Guard make runs for donuts.

[petkus]

Why support President Bush anymore?

He has consistently misled us on illegal aliens.

The USA has been defeated by the illegal alien invasion.

We are no different than Mexico!

The Bush family has ruined this country!

[unseen]

I want to know if they really think we are that stupid...if so all 33 up for reelection should be voted out of office come Nov.

[ncountylee]

Troops would be excluded from "search, seizure, arrest or similar activity" and tours of duty could not exceed 21 days.

Why bother sending them? It' a rope-a-dope sham.

[unseen]

I will not surrender. I am an American and I do not back down. These elitist snobs will not ruin my country. It may not yet be time for pitchforks and torches but it is getting very close IMO.

[BostonianRightist]

The Bush family has ruined this country!

Slight correction: ...is ruining...

We aren't beyond repair yet.

[RandallFlagg]

all 33 up for reelection should be voted out of office come Nov.

And that's what our jobs are.

[garbageseeker]

Agreed, that was very astute of you. That is not enough time for the Guard to get their "feet wet". Did the bill mention as to whether who will get the pay for the mission?I am willing to bet that the state will get the bill because the federal government have a poor history pf reimbursing the state government.

[Xing Daorong]

God bless you Mr. President. Moments like these make me proud to be a Republican.

[Enterprise]

I would dearly love to see the voters kick Feinstein's sorry ass out. But this is Kaleefornia, and it won't happen.

[WalterSkinner]

..the best thing to do now, since the Senate bill is definitely the weaker instrument, is pass the thing and pray that the House people can impose their will in Conference...

[Paladin2]

Dude, you are so wrong on those points.

Bush needs support (pressure) to get right with the border.

Bush has always been pro illegal.

WE ain't gone yet

Our laws are written in English, not Spanish. We have better ski areas.

The Bush family has lots of help on the border/immigration issues from the 'Rats.

Buck up and pressure your congress critters. Do something, don't whine.

[unseen]

Because they want to appease us without actually doing anything about it. Our ELECTED leaders think illegal immigration is good and they do not want to do anything to stop it. All of this Senate Bill and even the House bill is for show. the house voted for the bill knowing full well that it would not pass the Senate. The Conference Committee will strip any tough measures out of the bill and the final bill will be voted on in the middle of a Friday night and it will only contain amnesty, Shades of 1986

[meyer]

The Senate continues to self-destruct. I hope that the house holds. It's all this country has left.

[unseen]

Meyer,

Not only have I boycotted the businesses that closed on may 1 but I shorted the hell out of their stock. I hope they all fail and go bankrupt.

[Indy Pendance]

Oh the drama, like Clinton, Bush I, Reagan did any meaningful about immigration. Let's go back further, Carter, Ford, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy..... But, no, let's blame GBW for this entire mess. Let's not even consider the states who send senators and reps to Washington. Nope, it's all Bush's fault. Like Pres Gore or Pres Kerry would have half the guts to tackle this issue.