Democrats block $2.4 billion in immigration amendments

freshh. · 05-27-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Senate Democrats shot down $2.4 billion in Republican immigration amendments arguing for a White House plan to ramp up the U.S. presence along the Mexican border.

Republicans from Texas and Arizona collaborated on three amendments – defeated Wednesday on budget points of order – that would have added 6,000 National Guard troops to trouble spots along the U.S.-Mexico border, provided for more law enforcement and equipment and expanded a five-year-old program that prosecutes illegal immigrants.

Arizona Sens. Jon Kyl and John McCain pushed for a $200 million amendment to increase the number of troops and another $200 million provision to expand the Operation Streamline program, which Kyl argued had dramatically reduced border crossings in parts of Arizona and Texas. The funding request would have come out of stimulus funding.

Texas Republican John Cornyn also lost his bid for a $2 billion amendment that would've provided for new law enforcement personnel and equipment for troubled border regions.

Lawmakers are responding to continued violence between Mexican drug cartels along the border while discussing the prospect of more comprehensive immigration reform.

The Obama administration is pushing for an increase of 1,200 National Guard troops at a cost of $500 million. Kyl and McCain argued that more troops are needed and the White House's proposal is a "weak start and does not demonstrate an understanding of the current situation in the region," they said in a statement.

-SOURCE

trovales · 05-27-2010, 02:14 PM

At least we know democrats are good at doing something right- blocking earmark amendments that only add to the deficit, and don't solve the problem of immigration per se.

angeleno · 05-27-2010, 02:19 PM

Fuck yeah!

Mona Lisa · 05-27-2010, 02:36 PM

Take that John MCcain

sunny_thedreamer · 05-27-2010, 02:45 PM

I'm pretty sure republican will use this, as reason to block any immigration reform. They would just say administrator and democrate are not serious about border security. But i do agree with "trovales". Passing these amendment would do nothing to solve the immigration.

freshh. · 05-27-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunny_thedreamer

I'm pretty sure republican will use this, as reason to block any immigration reform. They would just say administrator and democrate are not serious about border security. But i do agree with "trovales". Passing these amendment would do nothing to solve the immigration.

Even if Democrats had allowed these amendments to pass, Republicans would still find some excuse to vote against immigration reform. This just shows them that Democrats are serious about doing something about the status of undocumented people in the U.S. and not just militarizing the border.

DA User · 05-27-2010, 03:13 PM

This is good news for CIR.

Demise · 05-27-2010, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mona Lisa

Take that John MCcain

did i just hear a bitch slap on the face of republicans?

2Face · 05-27-2010, 04:50 PM

Do you guys think Republicans would've been more likely to be willing to make compromises (including Dream Act in the legislation) IF these three amendments passed? Would've been interesting to see..

2Face · 05-27-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA User

This is good news for CIR.

Please elaborate if you can..To be honest, the prospects of CIR are grim for this year..DREAM act is more realistic

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30

They need you!

Forum links

Resources

Join our list

National calendar of events

September

Democrats block $2.4 billion in immigration amendments