GOP To Put Immigration On Backburner
Posted on September 5, 2006
The NY Times reports that the GOP will be putting the controversial immigration issue on the backburner and focusing more on national security issues. I’m not quite sure that this is the best strategy as it is one of the most important issues to their base. I realize that it is a complex issue in the sense that it deals with multiple issues, many of which are divisive within the party. I also understand that this divisiveness coupled with the obstructionism of the left makes it a very difficult subject to deal with effectively. On the other hand I take issue with seperating it from national security. The national security aspect of the border problem is the major reason why I personally find it such an important and pressing concern.
As they prepare for a critical pre-election legislative stretch, Congressional Republican leaders have all but abandoned a broad overhaul of immigration laws and instead will concentrate on national security issues they believe play to their political strength.
With Congress reconvening Tuesday after an August break, Republicans in the House and Senate say they will focus on Pentagon and domestic security spending bills, port security legislation and measures that would authorize the administration’s terror surveillance program and create military tribunals to try terror suspects.“We Republicans believe that we have no choice in the war against terror and the only way to do it is to continue to take them head-on whether it is in Iraq or elsewhere,” said Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the majority leader.
A final decision on what do about immigration policy awaits a meeting this week of senior Republicans. But key lawmakers and aides who set the Congressional agenda say they now believe it would be politically risky to try to advance an immigration measure that would showcase party divisions and need to be completed in the 19 days Congress is scheduled to meet before breaking for the election.
Would it be politically risky to push for immigration reform? On the one hand, as Arlen Specter has pointed out, there would be “justifiable anger” if Congress does nothing on the immigration issue. On the other hand, I had rather wait for a good bill than rush a push and end up with a bad one that is just another amnesty program like the McCain-Kennedy bill. I also want to point out to all those threatening to stay home this election that there are many other issues just as important, and perhaps more so when combined, to keep democrats from gaining in a power shift. Overall however I don’t think it is the smartest move to put the immigration debate on hold for the elections. If the Republicans could push the issue it would fire up the base and give voters one more way of seeing which party is stronger on national security. House Republicans need to make it clear to all voters that with a Democrat controlled House amnesty will come back with a vengence in 2007.
The reactions are mixed around the blogosphere:
Lemuel Calhoon of Hillbilly Whitetrash:
We should all be on our knees thanking God that the gave the Republicans the strength to resist the “pass some legislation NOW even if it’s bad so the rubes will think we’re doing SOMETHING” temptation.
Since the overwhealming majority of Republicans in both the House and Senate voted the right way on this issue having immigration as an open issue will play to Republican advantage this November.
Frist may try fielding a border-security bill along the lines of what the House has approved as a step towards resolving immigration; at least his answer in our interview suggests that approach. Democrats would certainly oppose any attempt to divorce border security from immigration reform — and perhaps a few Republicans not running for re-election — giving voters another issue on which to judge national-security bona fides. If Democrats are forced to vote against border security, or more likely to filibuster it, it will provide Republicans with a powerful talking point for the midterms.
For that reason, although the Times may have it technically right, I suspect that Frist has a plan to force a vote on strengthening the border. We already know that Congress has deadlocked on the issue so badly that a conference committee would hardly be able to move. I’d expect Frist to try to move the House bill to the Senate floor and let the chips fall where they may. With an overwhelming majority of voters wanting the southern border secured, the issue is a natural winner for the GOP.
Well, I’m glad amnesty appears dead. But running away from the immigration chaos that remains five years after the 9/11 attacks isn’t going to make anyone happy. If Washington doesn’t understand that immigration control IS domestic national security issue number one by now, it never will.
Well whichever way they go with this, the Democrats will say they are wrong, so I guess it may not really matter. But it is getting frustrating that we simply cannot control our own border. That is the fault of both parties in all branches of government.
If the Republicans lose control of the house or even the Senate it will not be because of Iraq. It will be due to their complete disregard for the will of their consituency on illegal immigration.
If the GOP pushed forward real legislation securing our borders they would re-energize many in their base who have lost faith in the party on this issue, and win over many Democrats who would otherwise vote against them. By doing nothing they encourage that “secure border” Republicans to stay home, and give Democrats who aren’t obsessed with the Issue of Iraq no reason to vote for them.
» Filed Under Border Control/Homeland Security, News, War On Terror
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4 Responses to “GOP To Put Immigration On Backburner”
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Stopping illegal immigration and national security should go hand in hand. Illegal immigration is a threat to our security.
The problem is not one of simplicity, but of complexity. If the legislature was really serious about Immigration, a practical ammendment to the current act would have sufficed. Appropriate more money to enforcement and investigation, establish a workable and enforcable guest worker program, and a program to allow current illegals to register within ninety days and apply for citizenship. It would still take five years, but they could be on the road to legalization. This would be a one time deal. There would be no other chances in the future and if they failed to register, well then let the mass deportations begin.
I am against illegal, or as I put it in my blog, unnatural immigrants. On the other hand, how many of them, unknown to us, are our next door neighbors, baby sitters, drinking buddies, etc. I also do not believe that there is any racism here. This is not only a Hispanic problem. There are illegal Poles, Irish, Russians, Asians, and others here. The race card must be shredded.
What we need to remember here is that the RINO’s in the Senate combined with the Democrats will NEVER allow a “borders only” bill to pass.
For them the ONLY thing is amnesty and open borders. What they offer is “give us amnesty and guest worker now and we promise border security later”. It is a lie. When they get what they want they will throw a few crumbs like the unarmed National Guardsmen, but nothing REAL will be done.
The best option by far is to keep the issue open.
The states can act where the federal government fails to do so. I figure the problem in the Republican party is you have big money benefactors v the voters and the Republican party wants to sidestep such a confrontation.
Chances are that some Republicans will fall because of their stance on the issue. I hope it is those supporting amnesty in the Senate. If so the Republican party will change.