More on Fence Rumors (Secure Fence Act will get signed into law.)

NRO ^

[Republican Red]

More on Fence Rumors [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

Captain Ed thinks Kaus is paranoid:

I checked with a source on the Hill yesterday, who says that we have nothing to worry about on the Secure Fence Act:

Yesterday I analyzed the possibility that the lack of a presidential signature on the Secure Fence Act (HR 6061) might be an attempt at a pocket veto. President Bush has never given very enthusiastic support to any border solution that didn't include a plan for normalization for illegal immigrants already inside the US. Mickey Kaus started counting the days since Congress passed the bill and wondered whether the White House had decided to simply ignore the bill to death.

I took a few minutes at my lunch break to contact a senior staffer on the Hill who has worked the immigration issue. He told me that, as some CQ commenters had speculated, Congress has not formally sent the bill to the President. That means the clock has not started for his signature. The 10-day period starts only after Congress formally prints and delivers the bill for the President to sign into law.

Why has Congress waited? The Secure Fence Act, which requires that the border barrier be constructed, is a very high priority for Republican leadership in both chambers. They and the White House want to schedule the signing for what they see as the maximum impact to the midterm elections. This means waiting for other stories to fall off the front pages. My source told me that the terrorist detention and interrogation bill will be signed on October 17th, and they want this to come after that.

Expect to see this get signed somewhere between October 24th and November 1st. The White House considers this bill a front-and-center accomplishment and wants the boost to last all the way through Election Day. Bush and the Republican leadership in Congress (especially Bill Frist, I'm told) want this to get as much coverage as possible. After the signing ceremony, expect to see this bill get trumpeted in the final advertising push for all Republican incumbents running for re-election.

No one on the Hill or in the White House has missed the message from the base. Everyone understands the importance of signing this legislation for the midterms. My impression is that they didn't realize that people expected the bill to get signed at the same time as the Homeland Security appropriation, and now they understand the confusion. Bottom line: the Secure Fence Act will get signed into law.

[Republican Red]

Runors started by liberals in the media that the Secure Fence Bill would be pocket vetoed. Many FReepers fell for it.

I posted yesterday I would sign it in a manner that would give me the most political mileage out if it(it is election seaon). I had no idea the President didn;t even have the bill yet.

Looks like a week before election day it will be signed.

[Perdogg]

It's amazing how much stuff people fall for here.

[mewzilla]

I'm sure 43 will sign it.

What's not to love?

In Border Fence's Path, Congressional Roadblocks

[mewzilla]

The Mexican Border Fence Hoax/a>

[Man50D]

The Secure Fence Act maybe one big snow job according to the following article:

The Mexican Border Fence Hoax

[Uncle Chip]

#43 will sign it --- kicking and screaming along with the elitist Senate at the conservative Republicans in the House for their constitutional stand on principle that is forcing them to pretend that what they authorized is what they really intend to follow through with after the election. The conservative Republicans in the House should be applauded for their backbone --- may their tribe increase on November 7 and may they continue to be a thorn in the side of the Washington elitists.

[Vinnie]

I predicted from day one that the fence will never be built.

The vote was a response to voter anger. But the pols have no intention of following through with it.
If they wanted to stem illegal immigration they would have done it years ago.

[gridlock]

Pass the law. Sign the law. Build the damn thing.

The lack of enthusiasm for getting it signed promptly bespeaks a lack of enthusiasm for the project, IMHO.

This fence is part of our national security infrastructure. The President should not play political games with our national security infrastructure.

[seasoned traditionalist]

Runors started by liberals in the media that the Secure Fence Bill would be pocket vetoed. Many FReepers fell for it.

I didn't "fall for it," but if you or anyone else actually believes that a "real" fence will be built any time soon (lets say EVER) then I have some nice waterfront property I have to sell cheap in LA.

That's Lower Louisiana, by the way--as in the Bayou.

FOR ALL YOU BUSH SUPPORTERS/APOLOGISTS, THIS IS NOTHING BUT A BIG:

IF ANYONE "HAS FALLEN FOR IT," IT IS THOSE WHO ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT W (OR HIS CHIEF OF HOMELAND [IN]SECURITY--THAT, PC-IDIOT-USELESS-POS-CHERTOFF)ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO SPEND ONE DIME ON THIS FENCE.

PERHAPS THE REPORTS ARE IN ERROR (IF ACCURATE, IT MEANS THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP HAVE CAVED AND STABBED US IN THE BACK ONCE AGAIN) HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT BEFORE ONE FOOT OF FENCE CAN BE BUILT, IT MUST HAVE THE APPROVAL OF ALL LOCAL AND STATE REPRESENTATIVES; NATIVE AMERICANS; CONGRESS-CRITTERS, ETC. I'M SURPRISED THAT THEY DID NOT INCLUDE HUGO CHAVEZ AND VINCENTE FOX AS WELL.

PS. I PERSONALLY LIKE BUSH AND VOTED FOR HIM (TWICE) BUT ON THIS ISSUE (FOR WHATEVER REASONS, WHICH CONTINUE TO ESCAPE ME) HE IS 110% WRONG; REFUSES TO LISTEN TO "US" WHO WANT TO SECURE OUR BORDERS, AND WON'T BUDGE AN INCH

[redgolum]

To bad OSHA, the EPA, and whatever nutty state agencies involved will never allow it to happen. Might disrupt the migratory pattern of the Texas horny toad or something.

[zeugma]

Runors started by liberals in the media that the Secure Fence Bill would be pocket vetoed.

It was not just liberals in the media. Some of us don't trust Pres. Bush any farther than we can throw him on this issue.

[zeugma]

I predicted from day one that the fence will never be built.

A reasonable stance to take. However, it will be built, all 5 miles of it. Then it will be declared a "failure".

[Rb ver. 2.0]

I'll believe it when I see it being built. Until then it's pure electioneering that runs contrary to the open borders policies (or lack of enforcement thereof) of this Administration.

[gubamyster]

ping

[phillyfanatic]

W and border enforcement Pubs should go down to the AZ border to sign it.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

I agree with you,,,I'll believe it when I see it,,,