Frist To Push Bill For Mexico-U.S. Border Fence

Posted on September 20, 2006

With a strong, comprehensive immigration bill stuck in gridlock, Senator Bill Frist is hoping to push legislation to construct a border fence between the U.S. and Mexico.

According to liberal blog Raw Story that gets the story from subscription only Congressional Quarterly:

Writer Michael Sandler describes Frist as being “eager to give embattled Republicans a ‘get tough’ immigration vote prior to the Nov. 7 elections,” thus his planned action to push the already-passed House bill calling for 700 miles of borderline fencing.

Whether Democrats would support the Frist tactic was unclear, according to Sandler, but Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO) was quoted as saying, “[T]his is more of the political gamesmanship that we’ve been seeing on this issue from the very beginning.”

Yes, Frist very well could be playing games, but if that is what it takes to get the ball rolling in the right direction towards something Americans want and desperately need for our own security then don’t play into the game. Vote how you feel the people who put you in power want you to vote or vote your own heart on the issue. When you break it all down it isn’t a game at all. The will of the people has put pressure on their elected officials on an important issue. For Frist to push something that most have already came to a consensus on is more than just a smart move, it is a move in the right direction. Get some action done on the basics and fight over the issues stuck in gridlock later. Sure, the timing isn’t a coincidence, but when it all boils down it shouldn’t matter if it is the right thing to do. Whine over political gamemanship or do the right thing.

Raw Story provides excerpts from the Congressional Quarterly:

A comprehensive Senate immigration bill (S 2611) that would create a temporary guest worker program and offer a path to eventual citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants passed May 25 with the support of 23 Republicans and all but four Senate Democrats. But House Republicans have denounced it and refused to negotiate any legislation that could lead to citizenship for immigrants who entered the United States illegally.

Frist, who was among 23 Republicans supporting the broader Senate bill, said Tuesday that he still supports the core principles of that measure. But he sees no chance for an end to the impasse between the House and Senate before Election Day.

…..

But some Republican senators expressed disappointment with Frist’s decision to move the House fencing bill to the floor as a freestanding measure. Taking that provision, and possibly others, out of the comprehensive package and moving them separately would likely reduce the chances of getting a broad bill enacted, they said.

“I’m opposed to that,” said Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., sponsor of the broad Senate bill. “I don’t see how we can do that. I’m for the fence. But I’m not for the fence piecemeal, which would preclude a comprehensive bill. I’m not for that at all.”

» Filed Under Border Control/Homeland Security, News

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One Response to “Frist To Push Bill For Mexico-U.S. Border Fence”

jasontromm on September 20th, 2006 11:47 am

Yes, and even if it passes, it’ll be at least 10 years until the fence is completed — this is the government we’re talking about. The only way to get a border fence in place quickly and under budget is to outsource it — to the team from ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover.