Gardner calls Senate’s immigration reform bill a good first start

Ianus · 04-28-2013, 01:13 PM

This is the second House lawmaker,who is a Republican this time, [besides Minority Leader Pelosi] who has mentioned about an August timeline for reform.

Quote:

With a Senate bipartisan immigration reform bill introduced last week, U.S. Rep Cory Gardner, R-Colo., says it’s time to fix the system.

The comprehensive 844-page bill was introduced by eight U.S. senators and Gardner is hoping something gets done by August.

“If we can’t get something done by August, I worry about whether or not it can get done at all,” said Gardner, who stopped by The Tribune offices in Greeley on Monday afternoon to talk about several issues. “Obviously, something needs to be done. That’s what I continue to hear from my constituents — that the immigration system is a mess, that it doesn’t work.”

Gardner, who represents Windsor in the 4th Congressional District, said the proposal is a good first start, and the House will be releasing its version soon.

“I think everybody agrees that there needs to be immigration reform, but just the detailed part of it is where there’s a big split,” Gardner said. “Trying to provide an educational role in this debate is going to be absolutely critical. We can’t have a rifle approach to immigration because if you don’t fix all of it together, it’s going to create some problem somewhere else in the system.”

Quote:

If we want to give the public answers at those meetings, then it would be best to have the people that built the operational models present.

Melissa Chew

Director of parks, recreation and culture

Gardner said two values have to be represented in any immigration reform that he can support.

One is that this nation has always been a beacon of hope for the world and it has to remain that way.

The other value is creating a fair system of immigration that respects the rule of law.

“I believe we can do that within a system that enforces existing laws, creates a system of control at the borders and that deals in a fair way with the people who are already here,” Gardner said. “That’s what the Senate bill attempts to do. That’s what the House bill will attempt to do.”

The Yuma Republican said he has always supported immigration reform that results in a system that actually is fair in providing a secure border. He doesn’t see it as a way for Republicans to get votes.

“I personally don’t think that Republicans, at least the ones I talk to and the ones I’m close with, look at this as an issue that says, ‘If we pass immigration reform today and tomorrow everyone votes Republican.’ I think the way it ought to be looked at is that this is a policy that needs to be fixed for our communities, for our country.”

While some Republicans are saying that the bill should be delayed because of the Boston Marathon bombings and some co-sponsors of the bill are saying that the bombings should speed up immigration reform, Gardner said the two shouldn’t be linked together.

“I think if we start combining these two, we’re going to be in a world of trouble,” Gardner said. “I think we have to look at one as it is, a horrible, terrorist act, and the other as public policy that we must resolve because our immigration system is broken. I don’t think you should look at them together. I’m sure that’s what both advocates and opponents are going to try to do is to combine them, but I think we’ve got to make them two separate, distinct issues.”

Gardner said that if there is an effective immigration system in place, people will be kept out of this country who want to do harm.

“There is no doubt about it that a porous border will allow people who want to come into this country to do harm to us,” Gardner said. “But even with border security, you’re still going to have risks that we have to prepare for.”

One of the pieces of the immigration reform bill is that it calls for billions of dollars in border security spending, something that Gardner said must be done.

“It’s going to be costly, the additional securities whether it is a physical barrier, a new fence, or whether it’s an electronic barrier,” he said. “The bill talks about both. At the same time, that cost will be borne by people who are going through the registration of the new system.”

Gardner said it’s also important to have immigration reform in order to have conversations about other issues in this country.

“I think the fact that immigration reform hasn’t taken place has blocked the ability to talk about other issues,” Gardner said. “I think this is one of those issues that needs to be resolved so that you can actually address those issues.”

I think this House Republican might be one of the members that can be relied on for a vote in the House and we need at least 10-15% of the House Republican conference in order to be successful,in addition to Speaker Boehner's ability to bring the bill to the House floor.

RabbitsFoot · 04-28-2013, 01:36 PM

what are our chances the senate bill will pass the House now?

freshh. · 04-28-2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RabbitsFoot

what are our chances the senate bill will pass the House now?

We have to see what happens with the Senate vote. Our chances are better in the House if the Senator's meet their goal of 70 votes in the Senate.

Ianus · 04-28-2013, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshh.

We have to see what happens with the Senate vote. Our chances are better in the House if the Senator's meet their goal of 70 votes in the Senate.

Yeah,that's the official word.

BTW,I thought this was interesting as mark-up is starting May 9th and this event is happening just the day after.Maybe Boehner is open to diversity unlike some of his members?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RabbitsFoot

what are our chances the senate bill will pass the House now?

It will be dependent on the Senate language at the time of final passage.The Republican conference within Congress will definitely be using amendments to make the bill more coarse and security oriented and I think Grassley gave an indication of that in the Judiciary hearings.The several scenarios that are before us seems good actually but honestly I'm not going to write a detailed thesis about it as it would be too long,lol.

Pianoswithoutfaith · 04-28-2013, 03:14 PM

great

I really hope they defined what a secure border means because the draft bill was vague on it. Something like, "by no later than such and such date"

Tonyhasadream · 04-28-2013, 03:40 PM

So when are they voting on it?

DA User · 04-28-2013, 05:11 PM

I predict Senate gets 75 Yays.

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Gardner calls Senate’s immigration reform bill a good first start