Posted on 09/04/2006 6:57:46 PM PDT by Shermy
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 — As they prepare for a critical pre-election legislative stretch, Congressional Republican leaders have all but abandoned a broad overhaul of immigration laws and instead will concentrate on national security issues they believe play to their political strength.
With Congress reconvening Tuesday after an August break, Republicans in the House and Senate say they will focus on Pentagon and domestic security spending bills, port security legislation and measures that would authorize the administration’s terror surveillance program and create military tribunals to try terror suspects.
“We Republicans believe that we have no choice in the war against terror and the only way to do it is to continue to take them head-on whether it is in Iraq or elsewhere,” said Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the majority leader.
A final decision on what do about immigration policy awaits a meeting this week of senior Republicans. But key lawmakers and aides who set the Congressional agenda say they now believe it would be politically risky to try to advance an immigration measure that would showcase party divisions and need to be completed in the 19 days Congress is scheduled to meet before breaking for the election.
President Bush had made comprehensive changes in immigration laws a priority, even making the issue the subject of a prime-time address, but House Republicans have been determined not to move ahead with any legislation that could be construed as amnesty for anyone who entered the country illegally. They held hearings around the country in recent weeks to contrast their enforcement-only bill with a Senate measure that could lead to citizenship for some.
“I don’t see how you bridge that divide between us and the Senate,” said Representative Peter T. King, Republican of New York and chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. ...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I won't be donating to the RNC anytime soon.
Sounds like a plan, but I don't think the Pubbies are that smart ...
For sure, but our country has dropped to a new low, where existing laws (for some) do not apply anymore. They can remove American flags & put up Mexican flags on U.S. government facilities & that is A-OK.
Don't let any of us get out of line, though, we'll be hauled off to jail in a heartbeat!!! If it continues this way, we will not be the strongest country in the world, we will be in the middle of a war, right here on our very own streets!
Send them the Mexican Peso when they ask for our money! I have sent it, I have said until they close the borders, they can whistle for my money!
Bump with no comment.
BTTT
In the city of Maywood in California we just had an incident where the American flag was pulled down and the Mexican flag put in its place at a US post office...pro-illegal immigration activists in the crowd with covered faces threatening to "take the country back from Nazi gringos" ala the agenda of MeCha and LaRaza ...if this isn't terrorism I don't know what is....
we don't really need new legislation ...just enforce what we have and put the "border invasion" under the umbrella that it belongs....national security...doesn't matter if those who intend to do us harm are from Mexico OR the middle east...
They're caving in because they will be doing nothing about immigration. They will not be advancing HR4437 but will just let it die for now. They have the choice of 1) continuing with real border control 2) going along with the Senate's and WH amnesty plan or 3) doing nothing. If the rumors are true, they chose the wimpy way out. How can anyone work on the WOT with a porous southern border and millions of unknowns in this country? It would be a joke.
I suppose them doing nothing is better than passing amnesty.
BUT, I'd rather see them continue with HR4437 and really let the Senate and the people know where they are on the issue.
This could mean they'll cave in and vote for amnesty once they're relected.
No profiles in courage to be seen here folks. Just move along!
Maybe if these RINOs get voted out in November they will have the guts in the lame duck session to pass the enforcemnt without amnesty bill they couldn't beforehand in hopes the pandering would save their skin.
Naaahhh! No way!
And if they eeek out a narrow win and keep their majorities because the voters are more fearful of the Dems cut-and-run agenda, they will say it vindicates their "comprehensive" open borders/amnesty immigration stand.
The will of the American majority just can't win with these politicians.
Great... once again the issue we all really care about is tossed aside for the sake of a few votes...
I do beleive our border security IS part of our war on terror but what do I know? ...I'm not a career politician trying to save his job.
Ah
Yes...but then she'd just get replaced by another demo
Oh and who first said we should wait on it until after elections?
:)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.