GOP aims to force immigration debate

The Washington Times ^ | March 11, 2008 | Stephen Dinan

[Delacon]

House Republican leaders will introduce a petition drive today to force Democrats to debate immigration this year, using a Democrat-sponsored bill to box them into taking a stand on employers who hire illegal immigrants.

Republican leaders reached the decision yesterday evening to initiate a "discharge petition," a parliamentary move minority parties can use to force issues onto the House floor over objections of the majority. The last successful use was on campaign finance in 2002.

But Republicans' move also puts Sen. John McCain, their party's presumed presidential nominee, in a tough spot. He has consistently opposed enhanced security efforts that weren't also tied to granting citizenship rights to illegal immigrants, and the effort could highlight a deep rift among Republicans.

Republicans are using a bill sponsored by a conservative Democrat, Rep. Heath Shuler of North Carolina, to try to force the issue. The bill would boost the number of U.S. Border Patrol agents and require businesses to check employees' Social Security numbers against a federal database, known as E-Verify. The system is currently voluntary.

"The Shuler discharge petition will be filed tomorrow," a House Republican leadership aide said after the leaders met yesterday. Another aide said the petition will be sponsored by an unspecified Republican in a swing district, to provide a November boost.

Republicans must collect 218 signatures, or a majority of House members, to force the bill onto the floor over the objection of Democratic leaders.

Mr. McCain said he "gets it" that voters want security enhanced before they will accept his plan for a legalization program that would grant citizenship rights to millions of illegal immigrants.

[Delacon]

This happens TODAY. Contact your senators to sign the petition. Why not have a floor vote on the Save Act?

[Delacon]

Ping

[ConservativeMind]

So, we needed to LOSE Denny Hastert’s seat to finally do something about this?

I'm glad he's gone, then.

[cripplecreek]

Mr. McCain said he "gets it" that voters want security enhanced before they will accept his plan for a legalization program that would grant citizenship rights to millions of illegal immigrants.

That's funny, I didn't realize I ever intended to accept the legalizations of millions already here.

[ontap]

It’s just lost till November, we can get it back if we can muster a true conservative. If there is such a thing anymore.

[Delacon]

Oops. I meant contact your congressmen. I was fixated on Senator McCain. I wonder why.

[tumblindice]

And note the weasel word following the pre-condition of (border) security: “enhanced”.

That could mean color photos suitable for framing from
the “virtual fence” as they wave goodbye heading north,
like cameras at the end of a water ride at Six Flags.

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

McCain still doesn’t “GET IT” The @$$ still thinks in terms of granting amnesty to law breakers. THIS is the candidate of REPUBLICANS!?!?!?! Until he does get it and commits to a valid plan of border security and law enforcement he wont get my vote.

[Delacon]

ping

[W04Man]

John McCain's latest statements on Illegals 3/7/08:

"no one who came here illegally would have any precedence over someone who either came legally, or waited legally..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrHr8Az4t0U

http://Vets4McCain.com

[Slump Tester]

HEY MCCAIN you DUMB ASS - We don't want citizenship for ILLEGALS.

If we elect RINO McCain for any reason, this is what we'll get.

Ann Coulter is right - he makes Hillary look conservative.

[highball]

John McCain's latest statements on Illegals

Flip, flop.

Ordinarily, I think it'd be a great idea to force the Dem's hands on immigration, since we're not only on the right side but on the winning side.

Unfortunately, we'll also be highlighting that our candidate is on the wrong side as well.

[MSF BU]

The problem is the reverse...nobody who came here legally will have any precedence in getting his application processed over those that came illegally. There are not enough workers in the system to process the current workload in a timely manner...nevermind adding millions more applications to the backlog.

[Delacon]

“McCain still doesn’t “GET IT” The @$$ still thinks in terms of granting amnesty to law breakers. THIS is the candidate of REPUBLICANS!?!?!?! Until he does get it and commits to a valid plan of border security and law enforcement he wont get my vote.”

Is why I posted this article. The petition to have a floor vote is being done, among other things, to force McCain to move to the right on immigration. The article doesn’t make clear that this is a petition to have a floor vote on the SAVE Act that is primarily an enforcement bill. It was authored by a dem, has many blue dog democrats as co sponsors, and even more republican co sponsors. If is goes to the floor and McCain says he opposes it, he is opposing moderate democrats who are in favor of it. If he does that he is going to look bad to middle of the road democrat and republican voters which he will need in the general election.

[Smokin' Joe]

Mr. McCain said he "gets it" that voters want security enhanced before they will accept his plan for a legalization program that would grant citizenship rights to millions of illegal immigrants.

Ok on the enhanced security, but the amnesty thingy is not getting through. Juan? Juan? You in dere? No amnesty, either!

[cripplecreek]

Unfortunately, we'll also be highlighting that our candidate is on the wrong side as well.

Sounds like "our" candidate has a problem.

[wilco200]

“So you want to wish Hillary, or even worse, Obama, on our us and our Troops?”

Get over yourself with the “our troops” rhetoric.

Mccain (like the other two) could care less about the safety and security of the United States - he is willing to give our country away to millions of foriegn invaders.

But at least we’re propping up the governemnt in Iraq.

[Sybeck1]

So we lose the battle here at home, only to win the distant war?

Smashing idea!

[cripplecreek]

Yeah I always wonder how the soldier in the field feels when he gets the call that his wife and daughter were raped and murdered by an illegal alien.