Posted on 05/25/2007 4:15:30 AM PDT by Baladas
WASHINGTON (AP) — Texas' senators slipped an amendment into the Senate immi-gration bill now being debated to try to give people and officials in the state more say on where border fencing is erected.
The amendment, sponsored by Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, R-N.M., and co-sponsored by Texas Sen. John Cornyn, passed by a voice vote and requires the Department of Homeland Security to take into consideration concerns raised by states, local governments and property owners in places where fences would be constructed.
The larger immigration bill in which the amendment was included is still being debated and won't come up for a vote until June. The House has not consid-ered an immigration bill yet.
It also give the department authorization to install fencing where they think it is best used, rather than erecting it where mandated by Congress.
Texas officials have protested plans by the Homeland Security Department to erect fencing on parts of the approximately 1,200-mile Texas border with Mexico, saying they were not consulted as they were promised they would be.
The officials learned where the department wanted to put the fencing after landowners were approached and a map depicting sites for the fencing became public. Also they recently learned of a contract bid proposal.
Officials have said it would hurt relations with Mexico, could damage wildlife and hurt the industries built around the states birding and tourism industries on the border, keep landowners from using the Rio Grande to water cattle and irrigate crops and change a way of life that is binational.
The Homeland Security Department has said in response that no plans are final.
Congress last year mandated construction of a 700-mile border fence that would run piecemeal from California to Texas, along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Hutchison and Cornyn, both Republicans, voted for the fence after withdrawing an amendment to require local input.
They were promised by Republican leaders they could include in a sweeping appropriations bill, but Congress adjourned last session without passing appropriations bills.
“and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, R-N.M.,”
When did Jeffy switch parties ?
Don't worry, the fence won't be built.
This is weak.
Of course, “Compromise” always means one of the parties involved is weak.
How about an amendment requiring the building of an entire fence on the border...that way you do not have to pick where it goes?
Duh...
The GOP is dead.
Sure is a lot of “slipping” going on with this bill.
And the corrupt mayors of TX border towns, mostly Mexicans and the children of illegals, will be paid by the drug cartels and coyotes not to let the fence be built through their areas of operation. The fence will be worthless, but expensive.
as a super voter, the political operative words, this immigration bill is a deal breaker. The democrats are on tv laughing like school girls. Sen “lefty” Specter was smiling like a thief with a not guilty from a jury.
The sham amendment is in the same vein. It is just a way to NOT build the fence. They will put up tissue paper in the middle of nowhere and call it a fence.
Well, actually, the federal government is giving them back their money.
There shouldn’t be a need for a choice. Um, build it on the border - all of it.
I slip to my left and slip to my right, slip on down to a firefight...
How about this? Well, actually, the federal government is giving them back our money.
Not if our two Texas Senators get their way. Cornyn has been carrying the water for Bush all along on amnesty. But at least for Cornyn some of the current provisions are just way too over the top for him but he would be willing to accept it in its current form if would keep it from going down in flames altogether.
If you slip enough enforcement into it, the dims will walk away from it... the bill dies... so many here are short sighted.
This bill and movement must die. NO AMNESTY!
LLS
Actually...I prefer a pill box every 100 yards.....with fire to kill orders.... I'd say two days tops...and the border would be under complete control....and the wildlife & buzzards would have a 2-7 day feast.
Perhaps, but it will be the result of unintended consequences. Both Texas senators are under enormous pressure from El Presidente and the cheap labor crowd in the state. If it dies, fine, but it won't be due to a principled stance from the senate or the house.
Wrong, there is not going to be any fence.
This slip is for non enforcement.
wtf??????????????????????????
Do they actually need to see rioting in the street before they stop talking about passing this POS and start talking about enforcing EXISTING LAWS
Including WITHDRAWING FEDERAL FUND from any state that allows in-state tuition for ILLEGAL ALIENS
I am just bringing up the possibility of some Senators seeing this tactical move.
LLS
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