Thread: House orders Library of Congress to maintain ‘illegal alien’

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times - Friday, June 10, 2016

The House voted Friday to order the Library of Congress to keep using the term "illegal alien" to describe those who come to the U.S. without authorization, saying that as long as federal laws written by Congress use those terms, so should their official records-keeper.

The library earlier this had proposed changing, saying that despite being used in law, the term had "become pejorative" and needed to be axed. Instead the library said it would use "noncitizen" to refer to illegal immigrants, and "unauthorized immigration" to refer to the broader issue.

Republicans revolted against the change, and demanded in the annual legislative branch funding bill that the library use terms that reflect federal law. The code repeatedly refers to foreigners as aliens, including those here both legally and illegally, so that would force the library to maintain the term "illegal alien."

Democrats balked and forced a vote, but the GOP prevailed on a 237-170 party-line vote.

"The words 'illegal alien' will be retired. This will change, whether it's now or six months from now or 10 years from now," said Rep. Joaquin Castro, Texas Democrat. "The question for all of us is whether we today will do the right thing or whether a few years from now will apologize."

But Republicans said the library shouldn't be ignoring what federal law says.

"Vote yes to uphold the laws of this land," said Rep. Tom Graves, Georgia Republican.

The bill still needs approval of the Senate to take effect, but the House vote could force a rethink at the library anyway.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...illegal-alien/

They came up with this stuff when they were clear and sober. The language is correct while it may offend those it is directed at and most democrats.