Free Republic

Letters, cookies, chocolate and other goodies are staples of care packages sent to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. For some, so is a carton of smokes or a few cans of chewing tobacco. But a recently adopted postal regulation limits the mailing of tobacco products to 10 ounces or less, a restriction that has made it difficult for family members to send the items to their loved ones in combat zones. So Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, has introduced a bill that would provide an exemption to the regulation. A carton of cigarettes weighs more than 20 ounces and a...

As the Department of Justice goes to court today to block the implementation of Arizona’s immigration law, Congressman Hunter has introduced legislation to deny DOJ any funding to continue challenging the Arizona law until action is taken against sanctuary cities. The legislation – the Sanctuary City Prevention Act – follows a recent report that DOJ is unwilling to force sanctuary cities into compliance with immigration law, despite filing a lawsuit against Arizona on the basis that the state law interferes with federal enforcement duties. “It’s ironic that the basis of the Obama Administration’s lawsuit against Arizona is that immigration enforcement...

Frustrated at the Justice Department's lawsuit against Arizona's new immigration law, a Republican congressman introduced a bill demanding that the attorney general also take action against so-called "sanctuary cities," which discourage immigration enforcement. Rep. Duncan Hunter's bill is the latest step as lawmakers seek to inject themselves into the debate and force their colleagues to take a stand on the contentious Arizona law. One of those moves failed Wednesday when Republicans tried, but failed, to have the Senate vote on blocking the government's lawsuit against Arizona. Mr. Hunter's bill, for which he started soliciting co-sponsors Wednesday, would stop the Justice...

Frustrated at the Justice Department's lawsuit against Arizona's new immigration law, a Republican congressman introduced a bill demanding that the attorney general also take action against so-called "sanctuary cities," which discourage immigration enforcement. Rep. Duncan Hunter's bill is the latest step as lawmakers seek to inject themselves into the debate and force their colleagues to take a stand on the contentious Arizona law. One of those moves failed Wednesday when Republicans tried, but failed, to have the Senate vote on blocking the government's lawsuit against Arizona. Mr. Hunter's bill, for which he started soliciting co-sponsors Wednesday, would stop the Justice...

Washington DC – Congressman Hunter has signed two separate amicus briefs supporting Arizona’s immigration law. One brief, written by the Washington Legal Foundation, opposes a lawsuit initiated by the American Civil Liberties Union. The other brief, supported by the House Immigration Reform Caucus, opposes the Obama Administration’s lawsuit to block the implementation of the Arizona immigration law. “Arizona is moving closer to implementing its new immigration law, but trying to stand in its way are the ACLU and the Obama Administration, which assert that states have no legal recourse to protecting citizens from the dangers of illegal immigration,” said Congressman...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jul 16 - 18 Members of Congress have signed an amicus brief opposing a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to block enforcement of Arizona’s new immigration law. The brief, written by the Washington Legal Foundation, urges the U.S. District Court for Arizona to reject an effort by the ACLU to prevent the implementation of SB 1070, the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act. The Arizona Legislature passed SB 1070 in April. The bill gives local law enforcement the ability to question suspected illegal immigrants. It also requires immigrants to carry registration...

The U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan assumed another dimension last week when Gen. Stanley McChrystal was replaced by Gen. David Petraeus — a logical choice given Petraeus’s skillful leadership during the Iraq surge. With this change in command, there is now an opportunity for Congress and the Obama administration to renew its commitment to mission success. Gen. Petraeus has shown that he knows how to win. Of course, Afghanistan is not Iraq, presenting different and unique challenges in certain areas. But there are some important lessons learned during combat in Iraq that, if incorporated in Afghanistan, will help save lives...

Washington DC – Following remarks on immigration reform by President Obama, Congressman Hunter reiterated the call that responsible reform starts with stronger border security and enforcement. “Once again, President Obama missed a valuable opportunity to assure the American people that his Administration will do what it takes to secure America’s borders and enforce the rule of law," said Congressman Hunter. "At one point during the remarks, he called blanket amnesty a bad idea, saying it ‘could lead to a surge in more illegal immigration,’ but then proceeded to call for a ‘pathway to legal status.’ This still means amnesty for...

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), a former combat veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, on Saturday strongly condemned the statements about the war in Afghanistan made by the Republican National Chairman Michael Steele. Hunter stopped short of calling for Steele’s resignation, but said that the “Republican party needs more than a fundraising figurehead,” Hunter said in a statement. Steele is under intense fire for saying that the war in Afghanistan is a war of president Barack Obama’s choosing and that U.S. combat mission there is “unwinnable.” Steele has since been trying to backtrack on his statements. "Michael Steele's...

With a new commander in Afghanistan, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) sees a new opportunity for tackling the growing problem of improvised explosive device attacks there. Hunter, a former Marine, lays blame on Gen. Stanley McChrystal for altering the brand of counterinsurgency fought in Iraq in ways that have allowed the number of IED attacks to flourish in Afghanistan. Casualties there peaked last month; at least 100 coalition forces died, according to news reports. And IEDs remain the No. 1 threat to U.S. troops. For quite some time, Hunter has been trying to make sure the military replicates the success of...

Washington (CNN) - Rep. Duncan Hunter, Jr., a veteran of the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, told CNN Thursday he's not surprised there may be some tension between the military and the Obama administration. "If you look at this administration, if you look at then-Senator Biden, then-Senator Obama, then-Senator Clinton, with the way that they went after Petraeus three years ago and said that that Iraq surge was not going to work, I think that the military commanders right now, the ones that have three and four stars, have a little bit of a - a burr under their saddle...

There is no shortage of threats facing America today or emerging on the horizon. In Afghanistan, our military is engaging a dangerous enemy while global terrorism, fueled by a radical ideology, will take more than firepower to defeat. All the while, Iran continues its march toward acquiring nuclear weapons, North Korea continually provokes its neighbors, and China is arming itself faster than any other country in the world. Each of these threats is unique and presents its own set of challenges, which is why America's armed forces must be prepared on all fronts. This requires that we consistently strengthen our...

IN 52: Duncan D. Hunter__________26,872_________ 89.6% Terri R. Linnell___________3,137_________ 10.4% ****************************

USA Today: Headline and link allowed only http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2010-06-01-editorial01_ST1_N.htm

The state of California needs to realign its priorities. For too long, the culture of California politics has perpetuated the growth of government through expansive new programs and benefits, creating chronic budget problems that only seem to be worsening. After weeks of impasse last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state legislators finally came to an agreement that temporarily resolved the state’s oversized budget gap. Now California faces the same problem it did a year ago, this time with a budget deficit of $19.1 billion. This shortfall did not occur overnight. An overly generous entitlement system and plenty of other costly...

Washington DC – Medal of Honor recipient and East County San Diego resident John Finn died today at the age of 100. Finn received the Medal of Honor for actions during Pearl Harbor and was recognized as the oldest living recipient of our nation’s highest military honor. “This is a sad day for our nation and the San Diego community,” said Congressman Hunter. “John was humble, never considering himself much of a hero but, to everyone else, he was part of a special class of American heroes who will forever be remembered for their service and sacrifice. His story will...

Rep. Gary Miller is among 26 members of Congress who have signed a letter taking issue with a top federal official who said Immigration and Customs Enforcement might not process undocumented immigrants picked up in Arizona. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary John Morton made the comments last week in a meeting with the Chicago Tribune's editorial board, the Tribune reported. The Tribune did not directly quote Morton on the matter, but did quote the ICE boss as saying, "I don't think the Arizona law, or laws like it, are the solution." That statement spurred Miller, R-Brea, and 25 other members of...

The commandant of the Marine Corps has asked Congress to put off its planned vote this week on lifting the policy that forbids gays from serving openly in the military. In a letter to Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, Gen. James Conway said lawmakers should wait until a Defense Department study on removing the ban is complete. McCain is the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee and has expressed reluctance to changing the Clinton-era "don't ask, don't tell" policy. An "organized and systematic approach" to studying the issue is the best way forward, Conway wrote. "Further, the value...

Back when he was a student at San Diego State, Congressman Duncan Hunter, R-Lakeside, often shot trap and skeet at the San Diego Shotgun Sports Association on what now is the Marine Corps Air Station. “It was a great, central place for us and all San Diegans to shoot, a place for veterans and wounded warriors to go shoot, too,” Hunter said yesterday. But in October 2008, the range was closed by the Marine Corps due to environmental concerns. The Marines said too much lead was leaving the range and damaging nearby environmentally sensitive areas. “This range has been there...

SHOW UP FOR ARIZONA'S IMMIGRATION LAW With Congressman Duncan Hunter & Sam Crump for Congress (Co-Sponsor of SB-1070) Arizonans support this law & 61% of America Supports this Law, so why is the media only covering the Left-Wing, Pro Amnesty Legislation? We need to make some noise. Please join us to support Arizona (and have a little fun in the process) Friday, May 21st 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek 6811 East Cave Creek Road Live Bull Riding and Dancing Music by “Tumbleweed Junction” $50 per person includes barbeque buffet dinner R.S.V.P to Sarah Raybon...