Washington, D.C. – Rather than allowing an open debate on the House floor, Democrats on the Rules Committee blocked 18 amendments to the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, each of which would have strengthened immigration enforcement or border security.
Ranking Member Lamar Smith called the move “undemocratic,” saying that Democrats manipulated the process to ensure that their Members would not have to cast on-the-record votes against these immigration enforcement and border security enhancements, as their liberal Democratic leaders want them to do.
Ranking Member Smith: “At the same time President Obama is talking about bringing people together and increasing transparency, Speaker Pelosi and the House Democrats are stifling debate. It is undemocratic to manipulate the traditional House process to avoid having to cast a controversial vote. If Speaker Pelosi and other liberal Democrats disagree with these border security and immigration enforcement measures, they should be willing to cast on-the-record votes against them. They should not hide behind late night, un-televised sessions and secretive processes to stifle open debate.”
A list of the blocked immigration enforcement and border security-related amendments follows:
Bilbray (CA) #17 - Would prohibit funds in the bill from being used in violation of section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Section 505 bars state universities from providing in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.
Broun (GA) #73 - Would increase funding for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Salaries and Expenses by $1 million, offset by reducing funding for the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management by the same amount.
Brown-Waite (FL) #14 - Would restrict funding in the bill from being made available to states or local governments that are in violation of the statutory prohibition on preventing their law enforcement officers from communicating with DHS regarding the immigration status of individuals.
Brown-Waite (FL) #15 - Would provide $89 million for border fencing, offset by reducing funding for the Undersecretary of Management.
Brown-Waite (FL) #47 - Would provide $89 million for border fencing, offset by redirecting funds from the Undersecretary for Management.
Calvert (CA) #24 - Would prevent the use of funds provided by the bill from being used to delay Executive Order 13465, which requires federal contractors to participate in E-Verify.
Campbell (CA) #42 - Would provide that no state or local government entity is eligible for funds from the bill if the entity is in violation of section 642(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Section 642(a) prohibits local government agencies or officials from forbidding their law enforcement officers from communicating with DHS regarding illegal immigrants they encounter.
Capito (WV) #70 - Would decrease funding for the Office of the Secretary of Management for Homeland Security by $5 million and increase ICE salaries and expenses by $5 million for the Law Enforcement Support Center which is a national call center that provides assistance to state and local law enforcement.
Fleming (LA) #53 - Would bar funds in the bill from being used to change or delay the implementation of federal rules that require federal contractors to use E-Verify and not hire illegal aliens; also prohibits changes to federal rules that set forth procedures that must be followed when the Social Security Administration notifies employers that their employees are using false or mis-matched Social Security Numbers.
Goodlatte (VA) #72 - Would prohibit funds from being used in contravention of section 236(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Section 236(c) provides for mandatory detention of certain criminal aliens, including aggravated felons and those who have committed crimes involving moral turpitude.
Heller (NV) #11 - Would extend the E-Verify program for 3 years, to 2012.
King, Steve (IA) #38 - Would prohibit funds for border security fencing, infrastructure and technology to be used for anything but at least two layers of reinforced fencing and roads, pursuant to section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
Kingston (GA)/Heller (NV) #13 - Would require entities contracting with the Federal government to use the E-Verify program as a condition for receiving government funds.
Roe (TN) #40 - Would increase by $5 million the minimum U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall use to facilitate agreements consistent with Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Section 287(g) facilitates state and local law enforcement officials who want to help enforce all federal immigration laws and remove illegal immigrants from the streets.
Rogers, Harold (KY) #20 - Would prohibit funds in the bill from being used to implement, administer, or enforce any regulation, order, or other action by DHS to postpone the final rule requiring Federal contractors to participate in E-Verify.
Roskam (IL) #79 - Would prohibit funds in the bill from being used in contravention of the implementing regulations of REAL ID.
Royce (CA) #22 - Would add $39,785,000 intended to provide an additional 1,000 detention beds, offset by redirecting funding from the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management.
Smith, Lamar (TX) #2 - Would increase by $30 million the amount of funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to implement 287(g) agreements. Section 287(g) facilitates state and local law enforcement officials who want to help enforce all federal immigration laws and remove illegal immigrants from the streets.
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