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E-VERIFY VICTORY -- 7 Senators Switch Sides Since March Defeat
By Roy Beck, Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 1:05 PM
After several defeated efforts, Sen. Sessions (R-Ala.) finally won over a majority of his colleagues this morning. They agreed with him that illegal aliens should not get jobs created with federal tax dollars.
In March, the Sessions E-Verify amendment was killed by tabling in a 50-47 vote.
But this morning, the tabling motion failed 44-53. (The amendment then passed on voice vote.)
12 Democrats and 1 Independent defied Party leadership and voted with all 40 Republicans to:
permanently authorize E-Verify, so the pro-amnesty forces can't constantly threaten to kill it if they don't get their way
require all federal contractors to use E-Verify so returning veterans and other unemployed Americans will get jobs created with federal tax money.
7 SENATORS WHO SWITCHED TO THE GOOD SIDE TODAY
E-Verify won today because these Senators -- who voted to kill the E-Verify mandate in March -- switched today and voted for using E-Verify to keep illegal aliens out of federal contractor jobs.
Kent Conrad (D-N.D.)
Bryan Dorgan (D-N.D.)
Mary Landrieu (D-La.)
Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.)
Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.)
Mark Pryor (D-Ark.)
John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.)
All of you who live in those states -- especially North Dakota and Arkansas -- take a bow. Thanks for all you have done to help these Senators see the error of their March vote.
6 OTHER DEMOCRATS WHO VOTED TO HIRE AMERICANS
We have to give special thanks to the Democrats who stood with us and unemployed Americans today, because they had to defy their Party leadership to do it.
These Democrats voted for mandating E-Verify both today and back in March:
Max Baucus (D-Mont.)
Kay Hagan (D-N.C.)
Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)
Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.)
Ben Nelson (D-Neb.)
John Tester (D-Mont.)
If 10 of these 13 Senators continue to put American workers first in their voting, they spell absolute doom for plans to legalize 12-20 million illegal aliens with an amnesty.
If you live in their states, do all you can to express your appreciation for what they did today -- and encourage them to stop all government policies that import foreign workers while 15 million Americans are officially unemployed.
ONE SENATOR WHO WAS A BACKSLIDER TODAY
Jim Webb (D-Va.)
I have to conclude that you Virginians have let down in your contacts with your Senators. Sen. Warner (D-Va.) voted both in March and today against requiring federal contractors to hire American workers.
But Sen. Webb in March was 1 of 7 Democrats who voted for E-Verify. Why did he turn against it today and vote to table it? Webb is known as a maverick. Surely he isn't a lap dog for the Democratic leadership which is demanding that all 8 million illegal aliens currently holding jobs be assured of keeping those jobs, instead of U.S. citizens getting them.
Sen. Schumer (D-N.Y.) is the Democrats' leader who is expected to introduce his "comprehensive immigration reform" amnesty legislation later this year. Amazingly, he tried to get all Democrats today to vote against the E-Verify mandate because he said E-Verify isn't TOUGH enough. Can you believe it?
Schumer widely takes credit for getting the first mass amnesty passed in 1986. He has worked with Sen. Kennedy (D-Mass.) ever since to ensure that immigration laws aren't enforced. Now he says that we shouldn't require E-Verify because it isn't tough enough? What he wants is a national bio-metric ID card. Of course, it would be several years before that would be ready to put into use, allowing scoundrel businesses several more years of easily hiring their illegal work force.
Everything Schumer does seems to be about delays to give time so that all illegal aliens will be legal residents so that when a national ID card went into effect it would be too late to open up jobs for Americans.
Well, a 9.5% unemployment rate and stories of returning National Guardsmen who can't find jobs -- plus constant pressure from home-state voters -- has finally produced a victory for mandating government contractors to use E-Verify to keep from hiring illegal aliens.
A dozen Democrats today indicated they aren't going to be part of Schumer's stalling tactics.
Now, we have to stop House Speaker Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-Nev.) from killing this E-Verify amendment behind closed doors in the House/Senate negotiating session. If we do, hundreds of thousands of additional Americans will get jobs over the next year and stay off the unemployment rolls.
GIVING REPUBLICANS THEIR DUE CREDIT
I do not for a minute take for granted the unanimous Republican support for American workers against the wishes of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
In past years, we might easily lose a dozen and even a majority of the Republicans to the wishes of the Big Business lobbyists.
That was a bold and courageous thing the Republicans did today. I know that many of them didn't want to do it but felt compelled by voter pressure.
I am especially thankful for strong leadership from Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell who made it clear that he wanted his Party to stand against the anti-American-worker efforts of Sen. Schumer. This is a strong position to be in, because I am quite certain that the majority of all business owners and managers in America stand with the American people against the hiring of illegal foreign workers.
Sen. Sessions' mandatory E-Verify bill is as good for honest, patriotic businesses as it is for U.S. workers.
ROY BECK is Founder & CEO of NumbersUSA
Views and opinions expressed in blogs on this website are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect official policies of NumbersUSA.
Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:19 pm Post subject: It the Right thing!
This is great news! It is only fair that Americans be hired for these jobs that were created via our tax dollars. I'm really pleased and grateful to Sen. Sessions and all the political leaders that fought for this bill.
I am also feeling more positive about the Democratic party for standing up for the American people.
Joined: Aug 04, 2007 Posts: 1674 Location: north carolina
Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:19 pm Post subject:
Great news and I will have to write to these Senaors to thank them _________________ "When you have knowledge,you have a responsibility to do better"_ Paula Johnson
"I did then what I knew to do. When I knew better,I did better"_ Maya Angelou
Joined: Nov 21, 2006 Posts: 8239 Location: DFW, Texas
Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject:
i thought max baucus voted against e verify in march because i remember making phone calls to all his offices demanding answers on why he KILLED a vote on the sessions amendment in march
Joined: Apr 11, 2008 Posts: 2869 Location: You want some of this?
Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:47 pm Post subject:
This is a GIGANTIC VICTORY!!!!
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING THEIR BUTTS OFF TO PRESERVE THIS VALUABLE TOOL IN THIS BATTLE FOR OUR COUNTRY!!! _________________ Work Harder Millions on Welfare Depend on You!
If you live in their states, do all you can to express your appreciation for what they did today -- and encourage them to stop all government policies that import foreign workers while 15 million Americans are officially unemployed
I'd like to add that even if you don't happen to live in those particular states, it might be a great idea to contact these people and thank them for doing the right thing.
After all, it's just as easy to thank someone as it is to criticize them and this is precisely what we've wanted all along.....
All we've asked is that our reps stop pandering to the special interests and harmful agendas of this administration, stop playing the political partisanship game, grow a backbone and stand up for the rights of the American people for a change.
And 12 dems have done exactly what we asked of them. Let them know we're thankful for that!!
Yes, I realize that there is a problem with out-of-district emails and faxes being rejected BUT........
There is still good old fashioned snail mail Peeps!!!
It might take a little bit of extra time but what is a few minutes when talking about issues which will impact this country forever?
Besides that, it might not hurt to re-acquaint ourselves with the "old fashioned" way of doing many things because, let's be realistic, we don't ever know when something could happen to interrupt our use of quick and easy modern conveniences we've all become so reliant upon _________________ If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. T. Paine
Surprise, I contacted John Rockefeller office this morning and could not capture an answer of yes, no, or undecided. I guess he made up his mind. Did Byrd get to vote? They are not my Senators but I will adopt several when a I vote is near.
Thanks for the list, I didn't think Byrd would be able to vote. "Franken (D-MN), Nay"; didn't take Franken long to line up with the Pro-ILLEGAL anti-U.S. Citizen gang!
Joined: Apr 10, 2006 Posts: 31502 Location: Texas - The Lone Star State
Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:14 pm Post subject:
The Democrats are throwing you a bone for Amnesty. They want something in return.
Dixie _________________ Englishmen, who have no right in this kingdom of France, the King of Heaven sends you word and warning...depart into your own country... Joan of Arc.
Joined: Aug 04, 2007 Posts: 1674 Location: north carolina
Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject:
Let's hope not Dixie. We need to have a steady stream of positive news _________________ "When you have knowledge,you have a responsibility to do better"_ Paula Johnson
"I did then what I knew to do. When I knew better,I did better"_ Maya Angelou
Senate Adds Immigration Provisions to Homeland Spending Bill
The Senate voted Wednesday to require federal contractors to use an electronic employee eligibility verification system and to set construction standards for the fence now going up along the border with Mexico.
Both provisions were amendments to the fiscal 2010 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security.
The amendment requiring government contractors to use the E-Verify system was adopted by voice vote after a motion to kill it failed, 44-53. Sen. Jeff Sessions , R-Ala., offered the amendment, reflecting GOP frustration over the Obama administration’s delayed implementation of an executive order by President George W. Bush setting out the same requirement. The Obama administration has pushed back the Jan. 15 deadline for that order several times, most recently to September.
Critics of the electronic records-check program complain about its error rate and say it could not handle an expansion to cover employees of all federal contractors.
Sessions’ amendment goes beyond the current rule to require federal contractors to check all employees using E-Verify, not just new hires.*
Another immigration-related amendment added to the $44.3 billion appropriations bill would prohibit the Homeland Security Department from counting anything but double-layered pedestrian-blocking barriers in its border fencing figures, and would mandate the completion of fencing by December 2010.
The amendment, by Jim DeMint , R-S.C., was adopted 54-44.
DeMint said that when Congress in 2006 required installation of 700 miles of border fencing it wanted double-layer pedestrian fencing. But the 661 miles of fencing that DHS has completed includes vehicle barriers and 330 miles of single-layer fence. DeMint said only 34 miles of double-layer pedestrian fence exist.
George V. Voinovich of Ohio, the ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, disagreed with DeMint’s interpretation of the law. “We did not detail the location and type of fencing,” he said. “Instead, we left it to the discretion of the secretary
*I don't know if this information is correct. According to NumbersUSA, Sen. Grassley is offering an amendment today to extend the use of E-Verify to new hires.
Senate Adopts Critical Security and E-Verify Amendments
Help FAIR Ensure these Amendments Survive Conference!
Earlier today, the Senate adopted two critical immigration amendments to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Bill for the coming fiscal year (FY 2010). These amendments were:
(1) Senator Sessions' Amendment (#1371) on E-Verify, and
(2) Senator DeMint's Amendment (#1399) on the border fence
The Sessions Amendment. The first amendment the Senate adopted was Amendment No. 1371 offered by Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) which permanently reauthorizes E-Verify and requires federal contractors to use the program.
The Sessions Amendment ensures that good-faith employers will always have access to this successful, accurate tool - a tool that has been proven as an effective deterrent to illegal immigration. And, by making E-Verify permanent, the Sessions Amendment will prevent supporters of mass amnesty from using any further extension of E-Verify as leverage to try to pass an amnesty bill for at least 12 million illegal aliens.
The Sessions Amendment also contains common sense provisions to require federal contractors to use E-Verify to prevent taxpayer money from going to employers who hire illegal aliens. A similar federal regulation has been delayed four times, but the Sessions' Amendment, represents a huge leap towards finally ensuring that the federal government only does business with contractors who hire a legal workforce!
The adoption of the Sessions Amendment didn't come without a fight! Well-known amnesty advocate Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led the failed attempt to kill the Sessions Amendment with floor speeches yesterday and today. While he often claims that he is opposed to illegal immigration, Schumer argued that Senator Sessions' amendment was "moot" because the Obama Administration had announced earlier in the day that DHS would be issuing a "new rule" requiring federal contractors to use E-Verify. (In truth, the Sessions Amendment is a better approach because the Administration's "new rule" can be changed by DHS at any time in the future, whereas the Sessions Amendment would prevent DHS from watering down the rule in the future.)
Fortunately, Schumer's efforts were thwarted on a 53-44 vote, and the amendment was ultimately adopted by a voice vote. (Please note, the 53-44 vote was a "motion to table," which means a "yes" vote was a vote to kill the amendment and a "no" vote was a vote in support of the amendment.)
The DeMint Amendment. Next, the Senate approved Amendment No. 1399 sponsored by Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC). This amendment requires DHS to complete all 700 miles of the southwest border fence by 2010 so that the "fencing" can stop pedestrian traffic. Incredibly, in some places, the current "fence" is only designed to stop some vehicle traffic but does nothing to even slow down pedestrian traffic; illegal aliens are able to continue to enter the U.S. on foot.
Once again, the adoption of this common sense amendment didn't come easily. Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) spoke in opposition to the DeMint Amendment. Fortunately, the Senate rejected Voinovich's position and adopted the amendment by a 54-44 vote.
What's Next. While the adoption of these amendments was a strong step towards real security and true immigration reform, the battle to ensure that these measures become law isn't over yet. After the Senate passes the Homeland Security spending bill, the bill will go to a House-Senate conference to resolve any differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation. The House version does NOT contain either of these two amendments! This means that members of the House-Senate Conference Committee could strip the amendments from the bill and prevent them from being signed into law!
WE NEED YOUR HELP!! You can help FAIR ensure that the Sessions Amendment and the DeMint Amendment survive the conference process:
Call your home-state Senators today and urge them to tell Senate Leadership to:
Keep the Sessions E-Verify amendment in conference.
Keep the DeMint border fence amendment in conference.
If your Senator voted "yes" on the motion to table the Sessions Amendment, don't let your Senator try to convince you that he or she supported E-Verify today! The votes don't lie!
You can find your Senators' phone numbers here.
Call Senator Schumer and Senator Voinovich and tell them to stop putting the interests of illegal aliens and special interest groups before the interests of American citizens and legal immigrants!
Senator Schumer: (202-224-6542)
Senator Voinovich: (202-224-3353)
Call Senator Sessions and Senator DeMint to thank them for standing up for the American Worker!
Senator Sessions: (202-224-4124)
Senator DeMint: (202-224-6121)
Rec'd. by email from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)
Subject: Senate Adopts Critical Security and E-Verify Amendments
Date: 7/8/2009 7:01:59 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:47 pm Post subject: I believe--
Senator Schumer's recent statements about the correct name--(illegal immigration), and other illegal immigration issues is a smoke screen. They are trying to lull people like me into believeing that they have seen the light and , now, suddenly, want to fix the immigration issue the way that American's want--(no jobs, no free educations, free health care,etc.-- just go home. ) It is a ruse to get the issue into a bill before the Congress and just as they did with all the other bills, they start adding and changing and, voila, a bill that is nothing less than amnesty.
I have long since given up hope that I will die peacefully in my bed and I am 76 years old. I will fight illegal immigration in any way that this old body and limited funds can do. I will not surrender the country that I fought for to a bunch of liberals to drag it down into a third world country with the corruption that is inherent in most of those who come here illegally.
Our Congress is a nest of traitors. I never though that in my lifetime I would see such treasonous actions by fellow Americans. I understand these actions by the childish bleeding hearts of many folks. They are naive and believe they are doing a kind and merciful thing. They never once understand the unintended consequences of their actions, but to those who we have elected to office, there is nothing but self-serving greed that they are pandering to.
I still believe there will be MOD EDIT before this issue is resolved. It wil be all the more tragic because it can be avoided by having the Congress listen to the majority will of the people, supporting their country and living up to the oath they took to serve our country and our Constitution.
Joined: May 16, 2006 Posts: 1116 Location: Oklahoma
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:50 pm Post subject:
Dixie wrote:
The Democrats are throwing you a bone for Amnesty. They want something in return.
Dixie
I agree Dixie....it's not gonna matter when they legalize all of them..... _________________ Immigration reform should reflect a commitment to enforcement, not reward those who blatantly break the rules. - Rep Dan Boren D-Ok
Joined: Aug 04, 2007 Posts: 1674 Location: north carolina
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:11 pm Post subject:
Well you are doing a great job misterbill!
You do have a point. Many of our government officials should be brought up on charges of treason. They are in office to protect our Constitution! They do nothing but mislead us (there are exceptions though) MOD EDIT! _________________ "When you have knowledge,you have a responsibility to do better"_ Paula Johnson
"I did then what I knew to do. When I knew better,I did better"_ Maya Angelou
Joined: Jun 01, 2006 Posts: 12471 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:45 pm Post subject:
Dixie wrote:
Quote:
The Democrats are throwing you a bone for Amnesty. They want something in return.
Of course you could be right, but I'm hopeful that constituency pressure due to a weak economy is starting to change some liberal attitudes. Job preservation is a very strong motivator.
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If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. T. Paine
