Q U O T A B L E S

May 26, 2006  

"My concern is that I want the Border Patrol to be the primary law enforcement on the border and not the National Guard," New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said.

"Never before in our country's history have both the president and Congress been so out of touch with most Americans." – writes Lou Dobbs. [LINK]

"Illegal aliens are more important to this Congress than securing our borders and our ports, more important than those legal immigrants who have waited in line and who follow the law." – writes Lou Dobbs.

J U S T   P O L I T I C S

Edwards in Iowa

Former Sen. John Edwards was in Iowa criticizing President Bush saying that the President’s gathering phone information to track terrorists is against the Constitution.

"The reason it has political impact is because it goes to a lot of other things that show this president doesn't respect the law and the Constitution," Edwards said.

Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh have both cautioned their party not to go too far in criticizing the President concerning phone surveillance because it could be politically damaging to the Democrats' cause.

Edwards still called for Congressional hearings into the matter.

Pataki in Iowa

NY Governor George Pataki visited Iowa May 25 for the first time since being hospitalized. In February, the 60-year-old Republican suffered a ruptured appendix, followed by an intestinal blockage.

Pataki said that he feels a 100 percent and is ready to go. He also stated that his establishing a tax credit for alternative fuels like ethanol will go a long way in boosting his stature.

Pataki and Allen to Iowa Convention

The Republican Party of Iowa and the Federation of College Republicans will hold a GOP Party Picnic Friday, June 16 -- the night before the state Republican convention – with Governor George Pataki as guest speaker.

Also during the Iowa state Republican convention: a luncheon sponsored by the Republican Party of Iowa and the Iowa Federation of Republican Women with Virginia Senator George Allen as guest speaker.

West Virginia's 2008 schedule

The Associated Press is reporting on West Virginia’s plans:

West Virginia Republicans want to hold a state convention to choose a presidential nominee on the earliest day possible under Republican National Committee bylaws, which could make them among the first in the nation to pick a candidate.

State GOP Chairman Rob Capehart said a convention on Feb. 5, 2008, would attract presidential candidates and national media to West Virginia. Capehart envisions it being the same day as New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary and only a week after Iowa's caucuses.

McCain in New Hampshire

Sen. John McCain is showing interest in the New Hampshire Republican Party. McCain’s PAC has contributed $5,000 to the Republican State Committee and the Republican Senate PAC.

He gave $2,500 to the Federation of Republican Women and $2,000 to each of the 10 county GOP committees and local committees in Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth, Concord and Derry.

He has also promised House Speaker Doug Scamman an appearance at a fund-raiser when Scamman’s new PAC is organized.

Immigration bill passes senate

The Senate voted 62-36 to pass its version of immigration reform -- S. 2611 (Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006). If passed by the House, the bill will legalize up to 11 million illegal immigrants.

AP article: LINK

CNN article: LINK

NYPost article: LINK

Here's a brief summary:

1,000 more Border Patrol agents this year and 14,000 by 2011.

Short-term deployment of National Guard troops to states along the border.

Construction of 370 miles of fencing on the border.

creates a 200,000 a year Guest worker program:

allows 200,000 individuals a year

Allows green card, which confers legal permanent residency

separate program allows 1.5 million more immigrants , can apply for permanent residency

Illegal immigrants here for five years:

stay, keep working and eventually apply for citizenship (11-year probation)

pay at least $3,250 in fines and fees

settle back taxes*

*only have to pay 3 of the 5 year's taxes

learn English.

Illegal immigrants here for 2 to 5 years:

Must re-enter the United States legally.

Illegal immigrants here for less than 2 years:

Must leave, no guarantee of return.

Guarantees guest workers get paid the "prevailing wage"

Gives protections against firing from farm jobs that American workers don't have

Once legal, immigrants' beneficiaries qualify for social security benefits (if though they aren't US citizens)

Guarantees children of illegal aliens low-cost in-state college tuition anywhere in U.S.*

*American workers' children only are eligible in their home state.

Most see a big battle looming this summer as the Senate's version of immigration overhaul goes to the House for passage. Last year the House passed it's own immigration bill, which focused on border enforcement, made all illegal immigrants liable to felony charges and gave no provisions for a temporary worker program or citizenship for illegal immigrants.

Senate vote tally: Immigration Bill S.2611

Here is a vote tally of senators who voted for and against passage of bill S.2611 (Immigration Reform):

Senate English as official language vote tally

On May 18th the Senate voted 62-35 to make English the official language of the United States -- S.Amdt. 4064 to S. 2611 (Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006). Here is a list of senators who voted against making English the official language:

Find your senator: [LINK]

Find your representative: [LINK]

Check Senate vote tallies: [LINK]

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