Posted on 03/12/2002 5:23:05 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
The House of Representatives voted 275-138 Tuesday night to grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens living in the U.S.
A Republican congressman forced the House to take a recorded vote.
In an exclusive interview earlier with CNSNews.com, Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., warned that he would block a plan that would allow the House to extend the "245i" provision of U.S. immigration law without members publicly stating their position on the issue.
"It's going to be a recorded vote, absolutely, because I'm going to call for a recorded vote," he said.
The amnesty extension was brought up as part of the House's "suspension calendar," a legislative device normally reserved for non-controversial items such as naming federal buildings. Most items on that calendar are passed by voice vote, with no written record of how individual members voted.
Tancredo rallied members on the House floor to oppose the issue and, when the voice vote was called for, his allies interrupted and demanded a recorded vote in accordance with House rules.
"Now, whether we'll win this, I don't know, but at least we're going to get people on record," he concluded.
Lawbreakers Rewarded
In 1996, Congress passed the Legal Immigrant Family Equity Act amending U.S. immigration laws. Under section 245i of the LIFE Act, illegal aliens could apply for an "adjustment of status" from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Those eligible included aliens who:
Entered the United States illegally;
Worked in the United States illegally;
Failed to maintain continuously lawful status;
Entered under the Visa Waiver Pilot Program;
Entered as foreign crewmen; and
Entered as foreign travelers in transit without a visa. That provision expired, however, and under current law, illegal aliens who wish to remain in the United States legally must return to their home country and apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate there.
The Democrat-led Senate passed the measure in early September, but before the House could vote, terrorists struck the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Fox News Channel reported.
"President Bush, who wants to present Mexican President Vicente Fox with an immigration agreement when he visits him this month, is squarely behind the bill," Fox said.
While the measure was under consideration, several Republicans complained that the manner in which it was introduced was an attempt by Democrats to mislead their colleagues and constituents.
The amnesty extension was included as the sole Senate amendment to H.R. 3525, The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2001, which had already been passed by the House.
"The parliamentary shenanigans we are witnessing today to try to get this legislation through to extend amnesty through to these illegal aliens is unworthy of this body, this representative body, and is bound to confuse our constituents," said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif.
"There are a lot of people here who would rather just have a voice vote and not have to be recorded, but we're going to put them on the record," Tancredo said. "And, in doing that, we may even get to the 'magic 140,' because all we need is about 140 members joining us."
Don't forget...through this amnesty many illegal aliens will now be government employees who are entrusted through law with treating legal American citizens like "prisoners at airports".
I think it may turn out to be as bad as we think, the illegal immigration problems we have today, are in part a result of the past amnesty programs. Those wanting to immigrate here will be encouraged to do so in hopes of another amnesty in a few years. This amnesty program combined with the absense of any desire by our elected officials, to control our borders, could easily lead to an acceleration of the existing problems.
Then again, you "my way or the highway" types can't get some things straight, either. Sometimes, you need to provide yourself with cover, and give folks one last chance to do the right thing before you drop the hammer on `em.
Again, this bill takes one item, and we stuff a lot of what we want on it. Like taking a minimum-wage bill, and adding some big-time tax cuts to the mix. Do you kill the tax cut over an increased minimum wage, or do you take a bill that has a lot of what you want?
Four months (or less, since the bill says four months of November 30, 2002, whichever comes FIRST) to apply for amnesty is not what I'd have done, but if we get a good package of visa/border security stuff in return, then I'll make that trade, especially since it allows me to be a little tougher on those who DON'T have proof of applying for the amensty after those four months are up.
Believe me, I had a VERY small taste of this when the Brewers made a three-team trade that sent Jeromy Burnitz to the Mets. At the time, it was hard to swallow, but now, it looks like we got a better team out of the bargain, especially since we ditched a good but injury-prone pitcher for a guy who stays healthy, and we got a good 4th outfielder in the bargain.
Let's see how all this shakes out. For all we know, Daschle will still kill the thing, and we can beat the DEMS up with the race card for a change. We do NOT have 535 people like Ron Paul, Jesse Helms, Jeff Flake, Bob Barr and Rick Santorum in Congress at present, so making things 100% perfect TOMORROW is not going to happen.
But we can begin a rebuilding process, and get things on the right track. I'll take the time to rebuild, and do it RIGHT.
The press release is at the thread above. Cut and paste that if you want to see what else was in this bill. But if you wish to remain short-sighted on this...
When you're done screaming about facts you don't have, read this -
And the next time I refer to NewsMax as the National Enquirer of the right, you'll know why.
But for the time beating, keep beating your chests about how GWB lost your vote. I'd bet dollars to doughnuts he didn't have it anyway.
Not likely.
Ron Paul voted for it... i thought he would since libertarians believe in open borders, as well as a constitutionally limited government.
Jesse Helms and Rick Santorum are senators not congresscritters.
Jeff Flake and Bob Barr did vote against it.
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