Thread: FAIR: Legislative Update & Unite to Fight summit

FAIR Legislative Update


May 24, 2005


In this update:


* House Approves Department of Homeland Security Funding Bills
* Unite to Fight Against Illegal Immigration Summit - Las Vegas,
Memorial Day Weekend
* New Cosponsors of Key Bills
* Recent Floor Statements
* Upcoming Events


House Approves Department of Homeland Security Funding Bills


Last week, the House approved two measures critical to funding
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operations for fiscal year 2006.

The House overwhelmingly passed the Department of Homeland Security
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006, H.R. 2360, last Tuesday by a
vote of 424-1
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...Ffair%2Fissues
%2Fvotes%2F%3Fvotenum%3D180%26chamber%3DH%26congre ss%3D1091> . Last
Wednesday, the House approved the Department of Homeland Security
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, H.R. 1817, by a vote of 424-4
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...Ffair%2Fissues
%2Fvotes%2F%3Fvotenum%3D189%26chamber%3DH%26congre ss%3D1091> .

The authorization bill (H.R. 1817) establishes or continues programs
within the Department of Homeland Security and permits funding up to a
certain level for specific programs and activities. The appropriations
bill (H.R. 2360) decides the actual spending.

Senate action on these measures is uncertain at this point.


Immigration-related Amendments:


Several immigration-related amendments were offered and adopted during
consideration of these measures. Follow the vote links in this update to
see how your representative voted and to send free pre-written
vote-based messages!

* Border Security Funding Increase - The appropriations
bill (H.R. 2360) provides $19.4 billion to fund border security
operation for 2006, which is an 11 percent increase over 2005 spending.
Included in that figure is funding for 1,000 additional border patrol
agents, 200 immigration enforcement agents, 150 criminal investigators,
and 1,920 detention beds.
* Funding Approved to Implement REAL ID Driver's License
Requirements - The House approved (226-19
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...Ffair%2Fissues
%2Falert%2F%3Falertid%3D7640741%26type%3Dco> an amendment by Rep. David
Obey (D-WI) to H.R. 2360 providing $100 million to fund grants under the
REAL ID Act to assist states in conforming with minimum driver's license
standards. These standards will help keep licenses out of the hands of
illegal aliens and the terrorists among them.
* State/Local Immigration Enforcement Encouraged - By
voice vote the House approved an amendment by Homeland Security Chairman
Chris Cox (R-CA) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner
(R-WI) to H.R. 1817 authorizing up to $40 million to be appropriated for
FY 2006 to reimburse states and localities for costs associated with
having state and local law enforcement trained and certified by DHS'
Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws.


The House also approved (242-185)
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...Ffair%2Fissues
%2Falert%2F%3Falertid%3D7640861%26type%3Dco> Rep. Charlie Norwood's
(R-GA) amendment to H.R. 1817 to clarify the existing authority of state
and local enforcement personnel to apprehend, detain, remove, and
transport illegal aliens in the routine course of duty. Norwood's
amendment also requires DHS to establish a training manual on this
matter and set forth simple guidelines for making that training
available.

* Tancredo Amendment to Discourage Illegal Alien Sanctuary
Policies Gains New Support - For the third year in a row, Rep. Tom
Tancredo (R-CO) offered his amendment to withhold homeland security
funding from states and localities that refuse to share
immigration-related information with federal authorities. His amendment
to the appropriations bill (H.R. 2360) failed by a 165-258
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...Ffair%2Fissues
%2Falert%2F%3Falertid%3D7638491%26type%3Dco> vote. While it was
defeated, this vote represents a gain of 17 yea votes since last
considered in 2004, and 63 more yea votes since first consideration in
2003.

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Unite to Fight Against Illegal Immigration Summit - Las Vegas, Memorial
Day Weekend


Mark your calendars and attend the Unite to Fight Against Illegal
Immigration Summit this Memorial Day weekend (May 27-2 in Las Vegas,
Nevada.

This will be a huge event with dozens of speakers, brainstorming, and
planning for victory! Meet and hear the best speakers and activist in
the country.

FAIR's Western Field Director Rick Oltman will be there, as will
representatives from other groups including 9-11 Families for Secure
America, American Immigration Control Foundation, California Coalition
for Immigration Reform, American Patrol, The Arizona Minutemen, The Yuma
Patriots, Latino-Americans for Immigration Reform, American Resistance,
Defend Colorado Now, and many others!

Visit the Wake Up America Foundation web site
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...ericafoundatio
n.com%2F> for details!

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New Cosponsors of Key Bills


The following members recently signed on to good immigration reform
legislation. Click on the bill numbers to learn more about the
legislation and to send FREE faxed messages in support of these bills to
your legislators. If your legislators are listed below, please follow
your faxes up with phone calls to thank them.

Thank these members for supporting good reform legislation!

H.R. 1219 - Legislation to Eliminate the Diversity Visa Lottery Program
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...Ffair%2Fissues
%2Fbills%2F%3Fbill%3D7215591>

* Rep. John Sullivan (R-OK)

H.R. 1986 - Military Assistance on the Border
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...Ffair%2Fissues
%2Fbills%2F%3Fbill%3D7559806>

* Rep. Richard Baker (R-LA)
* Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA)
* Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-NH)

H.J.RES.46 - Citizenship Reform Amendment
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...Ffair%2Fissues
%2Fbills%2F%3Fbill%3D7519506>

* Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA)

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Recent Floor Statements


* On May 16, Rep. Bob Filner (R-NC) commented on A Smarter
Approach To The Border
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...cess.gpo.gov%2
Fcgi-bin%2Fgetdoc.cgi%3Fdbname%3D2005_record%26docid%3D cr16my05-30>
* On May 17, Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) commented on Border
Patrol And Illegal Aliens
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...cess.gpo.gov%2
Fcgi-bin%2Fgetdoc.cgi%3Fdbname%3D2005_record%26docid%3D cr17my05-61>
* On May 18, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) commented on
Providing For Consideration Of H.R. 1817, Department Of Homeland
Security Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2006
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...cess.gpo.gov%2
Fcgi-bin%2Fgetdoc.cgi%3Fdbname%3D2005_record%26docid%3D cr18my05-37>
* On May 19, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) commented
on Department Of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2006
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...cess.gpo.gov%2
Fcgi-bin%2Fgetdoc.cgi%3Fdbname%3D2005_record%26docid%3D cr19my05-44>


Upcoming Events


* The House Homeland Security Committee will hold an
oversight hearing on "Training More Border Patrol Agents: How the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Can Increase Training Capacity
Most Effectively." When and Where: May 24, 2:00 p.m., 210 Cannon House
Office Building.
* The House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on
Immigration, Border Security and Claims Subcommittee will hold a hearing
on "Diversity Visa Program." When and Where: May 25, 2:30 p.m., 2141
Rayburn House Office Building.
* The Senate Judiciary Committee Immigration, Border
Security and Citizenship Subcommittee will hold a hearing on "The Need
for Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Serving Our National Economy."
When and Where: May 26, 2:30 p.m., 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building.
* The House Judiciary Committee Crime, Terrorism, and
Homeland Security Subcommittee will hold an oversight hearing on the
"Implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act: Sections 505 and 804,"
addressing national security, jurisdiction over crimes at U.S.
facilities abroad, and material witness provisions of the Criminal Code.
When and Where: May 26, 2:00 p.m., 2141 Rayburn House Office Building.

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<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http...Ffair%2Fmlm%2F
> to subscribe.
* For breaking immigration news, visit the Stein Report
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.steinreport.com%2F> .
* Fax your legislators for free from FAIR's Legislative Action Center
<http://capwiz.com/fair/utr/0/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcapwiz.com%2Ffair%2F> .

* Funding Approved to Implement REAL ID Driver's License
Requirements -

You know what they can do with their Real ID dont you?