Congressional Hispanics knock Democratic leaders

Taken from : http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i...PkCbAD907QPTG0

Congressional Hispanics knock Democratic leaders

By ERICA WERNER – 14 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Congressional Hispanic Caucus denounced House Democratic leaders Wednesday as "spineless" and little better than Republicans for failing to take on comprehensive immigration reform.

Leaders of the all-Democratic caucus, which numbers two dozen, criticized their party leadership at a news conference for instead scheduling hearings on enforcement legislation and specific visa issues.

They also complained that they are being blamed for opposing bills strongly supported by other Democrats that would add more visas for certain classes of immigrants, such as high-tech or seasonal workers. Instead, the Hispanic Caucus insists on a comprehensive approach that would provide a path for citizenship for some 12 million illegal immigrants now living in the U.S.

Such legislation collapsed in the Senate last year and Democratic House leaders have shown little appetite for trying to revive the highly contentious issue in an election year.

Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona called the Democratic caucus "spineless."

"Today my party wants to do what is easy, not exactly what is right," said Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois. "The leaders in our party who are arguing for consideration of helping just a few immigrants are risking the future of all immigrants."

Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif., who chairs the Hispanic Caucus, said the visa and other bills under consideration were "nothing more than a Band-Aid being used to cover up a gaping wound."

The lawmakers were particularly incensed because hearings have been scheduled on a bill by moderate first-term Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., that focuses on enforcement and would add border patrol agents.

If a Democratic majority can allow such a hearing, "then we are no better than the Republican majority we replaced," Gutierrez said.

The lawmakers refused to identify names but said the piecemeal approach wouldn't be happening without the consent of top House Democratic leaders.

Asked to respond, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., issued a statement blaming President Bush and Republicans.

"Speaker Pelosi is committed to balanced, fair and bipartisan immigration reform legislation," said the statement from spokesman Nadeam Elshami, "but unless the president and the Republican leadership engage Democrats in a positive way instead of using this issue to score partisan political points, members will only grow more frustrated with the process."

Elshami also said that the speaker's office anticipated a series of hearings to address immigration issues "and respond to the concerns expressed by House members of both parties."

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., who chairs the House Judiciary immigration subcommittee, said in an interview that it would be difficult to pass a comprehensive bill this year given the Senate's failure.

"I guess the real question is if you can't do everything you want is that an excuse for doing nothing," said Lofgren, who's held a hearing on seasonal workers but also on the comprehensive reform bill supported by the Hispanic Caucus. Lofgren also sponsored a bill extending visa eligibility for religious workers that the House passed last week by voice vote.

Taken from: http://www.pe.com/localnews/politics...4.41eadd2.html

WASHINGTON - Inland Rep. Joe Baca and other Hispanic Democrats in Congress railed against their own party leaders Wednesday, accusing them of failing to fight for comprehensive immigration reform.

Baca, D-Rialto, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and other proponents of a sweeping but stalled immigration bill accused Democrats of choosing to move forward with "piecemeal" bills that help only a small fraction of the nation's estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants.

"These bills are nothing more than a Band-Aid being used to cover up a gaping wound," Baca said during a news conference on Capitol Hill.
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Baca told the story of Marine Cpl. Jorge Gonzalez, 20, of Rialto, an undocumented immigrant who died five years ago in Iraq. Because of his status, Gonzalez's family had to apply for special permission to have an American flag draped over his casket and to receive military benefits after the death.

"That is a shame," Baca said. "Jorge was willing to die to protect this country, but since he was an immigrant, there are some who would call him a criminal."

Baca called upon Democrats to support the Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act, also known as STRIVE. The bill calls for increased enforcement of laws against employing illegal immigrants, but would also create a guest-worker program to allow millions of undocumented immigrants to stay and work in the United States and eventually become citizens.

While that bill languishes, Democratic leaders have paved the way for hearings on other immigration bills, which stop short of the provisions laid out in the STRIVE Act.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez, one of the bill's authors, went further than Baca, directing scathing remarks at fellow Democrats. He said the party's tactics amount to turning its back on most undocumented immigrants, while protecting a small percentage.

Gutierrez likened the debate to the civil rights and women's suffrage movements as he lashed out against supporters of bills that are not as far reaching.

"What they're saying -- what they would have said some 60, 70 years ago is: 'We're gonna let some women vote, but not all of you. But maybe we'll give you a new apron and some better pots and pans -- but you're still in the kitchen.' "

Baca, Gutierrez and others referred to a bill introduced by Rep. Heath Schuler, D-N.C., which does not include a path to citizenship. That bill appears to be moving forward.

"I only know that this would not happen without the blessing of the highest levels of leadership in the Democratic Party and caucus of the Congress of the United States," Gutierrez said.

Under questioning, he refused to name the individual lawmakers he held responsible. But shortly after the conference, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office deflected the criticism toward the White House and Republicans.

"Speaker Pelosi is committed to balanced, fair and bipartisan immigration reform legislation, but unless the President and the Republican leadership engage Democrats in a positive way, instead of using this issue to score partisan political points, members will only grow more frustrated with the process," spokesman Nadeam Elshami said in an e-mail.

I have to disagree with Baca (I still love you though Rep. Baca!). With the way the republicans are acting and the slim majority the Dems have, the only option is to push through smaller bills while waiting for the climate to change for the big CIR package. It's unfair but like that treaty that was being considered to help the undocumented Irish in the U.S. Was it fair? No, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't have passed. I would rather have some of us be free then none at all.

Although there is some truth to it when it comes to DREAM. DREAM unlike CIR is more valuable to Dems unpassed than passed. Think about all the ex-dreamers you know who have adjusted and now consider themselves very liberal even though they're pro-life and very conservative. The republicans are handing DREAMers over to the Dems by not passing DREAM. Most of us will adjust one day ( even without DREAM ) and the memories like the one of the criminal Vitter having the nerve to call us that stick.

As for SAVE, if Baca can provide evidence that the democratic leadership is encouraging it he needs to provide it. I've heard the opposite. I bet it's Murtha, he signed onto to the save act. If this is true, then we should blanket every ethnic media outlet with this story if he can provide evidence. I've been really nice to the democrats, I'm a voting nazi for all my citizen family and friends. None of them stays home on election day. Don't piss me off, I can't vote but people who care about me can. A lot of us live in Democratic districts where the primary is the real election and so just because someone is in a solid democratic district, they aren't completely safe.

I agree! The democratic leadership is amounting to a republican leadership on this issue. The Save Act would have not move forward without the consensus of Pelosi, shame on her (to quote Obama and Hillary); the house passed an enforcement only bill a few years back, is this the outcome Pelosi intends? In the event that the Save Act passes (highly doubtful) the house, Reid will not take it up in the senate with out a pathway to legalization. The point is that our democratic leaders should not be given precedent to an enforcement only immigration bill (on the spectrum of conservative/liberal democrat Pelosi has a record of a being liberal democrat); rather she should be tenacious and push for an enforcement/legalization bill. DAP counter arguments (I can see it coming): Well, if we pass piecemeal enforcement measures only, the current hostile political immigration environment will be swayed for legalization; What are you worried about? It is not like our voices count, just sit back the Save Act will never become federal law. Well! the opposition is already trumpeting this as a step closer to victory they will never give deference to "legalization" not now not with 100 enforcement only immigration bill passing. I do not care about their political immigration perspective, we will never convince that we deserve a chance, we are outside the parameters of federal laws and we should go back! Our duty is to get more support from federal politicians. I hope with a new president and congress this issue will be put to rest with CIR with legalization; it seems that CIR has now taken on the meaning of "enforcement only immigration reform".