Thread: House conservatives warn Bush of immigration's cost

Oh no, our evil dictator might have to choose between killing off our troops or killing off our citizens? What's el presidente to do?? Can't he have his cake and eat it too?

House conservatives warn Bush of immigration's cost
By Jon Ward
June 24, 2007


Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican, said a confrontation from the White House on immigration "could affect the vote on the Iraq appropriation."

Conservative leaders among House Republicans say that President Bush's upcoming showdown with them on immigration could threaten support for the Iraq war as well as for the president's other top policy goals.



"The White House should keep in mind that if they have a direct confrontation with House Republicans on [immigration], it could affect the vote on the Iraq appropriation in September," said Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican. "It will not affect me. I intend to stand by the president. But I do think it is something they should keep in mind for other Republicans who are borderline."



Mr. King last week introduced legisla Mr. King last week introduced legislation that would focus on border security while eliminating many of the guest-worker and path-to-citizenship provisions in the Senate proposal, which he called an "amnesty bill."



Rep. Adam H. Putnam, Florida Republican, warned that a lackluster immigration bill could do "irreparable harm" to House Republican support for the president.



"If the president makes it clear he'll sign any immigration bill that gets to his desk, no matter what it looks like, then it certainly will do more harm than good," said Mr. Putnam, who as chairman of the House Republican Conference is the third-ranking House Republican.



Mr. Putnam said that a speech by Mr. Bush in Glynco, Ga., last month — which the president's conservative base perceived as harsh criticism of its opposition to the immigration bill — was a "major step backwards."



Rep. Brian P. Bilbray, California Republican, said: "The president is obviously looking for a legacy on immigration. He's looking for a legacy on Iraq. And I'm not so sure the legacy that he's striving for is what he's going to get."

Putnam said the president's promise to veto bloated Democratic spending bills could soften the damage. House Republicans are "grateful for [the president's] strong stance in regard to vetoes," he said. Mr. Bush has vowed to veto nine out of 12 appropriations bills that the Democrat-controlled Congress plans to pass with spending totals exceeding the president's requests.


Many House conservatives are eager to reclaim the mantle of fiscal responsibility, and some see this as one way that a politically weakened, second-term president could reconcile with conservative House Republicans.


The president's relationship with congressional Republicans is important to sustaining funding for the war in Iraq as well as to achieving Mr. Bush's remaining policy goals: renewing the No Child Left Behind Act, investing in alternative fuels for energy independence and revising the tax code to make health care more affordable.


Robert Hoffman, vice president of congressional affairs for Oracle Corp., said Mr. Bush will remain relevant to Republicans on Capitol Hill "because the veto pen is so important to their agenda."


"I don't know that [the immigration bill is] going to cause any residual damage on other issues, especially when the president is demonstrating a strong stance on controlling spending," said Mr. Hoffman, who worked on Capitol Hill for 13 years. "That's something an overwhelming majority of Republicans would embrace."


White House officials were confident that the president could continue working with House Republicans after an immigration standoff.


"Even when there are strong disagreements on some issues, we have the ability to work together on others," said White House spokesman Scott Stanzel.


Republicans have demonstrated that they have enough votes to sustain a veto on spending bills and will work with the president on the issue. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, Texas Republican, said 147 House Republicans — one more than necessary — have signed a pledge to uphold Mr. Bush's vetoes on the nine spending bills.


The House Republican leadership delivered the pledge letter to Mr. Bush on Wednesday at the White House, during a meeting about the spending showdown with Democrats.


Mr. Hensarling acknowledged that many House conservatives would oppose the Senate immigration bill, but that immigration may not come up for debate in the House until late next month or early August.


"Right now we are certainly united with the president in trying to get these over-budget, bloated spending bills vetoed," he said. "There are so many fights here, you've got to focus on the one in front of you and not the one down the road."

http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 40047/1001

Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican, said a confrontation from the White House on immigration "could affect the vote on the Iraq appropriation."

Conservative leaders among House Republicans say that President Bush's upcoming showdown with them on immigration could threaten support for the Iraq war as well as for the president's other top policy goals.

I really like the fact that some of our elected politicians think illegal immigration is just as important as the war. I believe that once troops are sent in we need to send them all the tools necessary without hesitation or delay. It would be a disgusting day in America if one soldier’s life was ended over this ridiculous amnesty bill.

The war is not doing anything for america and the culture in Iraq has yet to change for them to maintain a culture similiar to america. Just as we resent people coming in trying to change our culture, they resent us trying to change their culture. I am not sure that we should be supporting this war just on bush's say so. He lies like a dog. Excuse me dogs, I didn't mean to insult you.

Well, I supported it, and he may be right about the war.....I'm just not sure. But this I am sure of.....now that I see the way he's treated the home front....open borders, illegal immigration......my support for him on the war is faltering pretty badly.

I'll always support our troops and of course I want them to have everything that they need. That's not even up for discussion with me.

Originally Posted by Beckyal

The war is not doing anything for america and the culture in Iraq has yet to change for them to maintain a culture similiar to america. Just as we resent people coming in trying to change our culture, they resent us trying to change their culture. I am not sure that we should be supporting this war just on bush's say so. He lies like a dog. Excuse me dogs, I didn't mean to insult you.

Good point.

Conservative leaders among House Republicans say that President Bush's upcoming showdown with them on immigration could threaten support for the Iraq war as well as for the president's other top policy goals.

I think it already has weakened his position on the war with his base!

It's just unbelievable that in this time of war & global terror, when "homeland security" is supposed to be so important, that six years post 9/11 and Bush has still refused to adequately secure the border and ports. He wants open borders so badly, he has endangered us all by refusing to do basic 101 stuff !!!

I would feel more inclined to be in support of the war if there had been significant progress in Iraq, but it seems to me that there has not been. As well, it would seem that although many of the people there themselves want this and want the change, as a whole they have severe trouble with in-fighting about religion and this is going to hold them back.

Therefore, why should we be there to aid people who simply fight each other for control due to religious tendencies?

since bush has nothing to secure our borders or ports he cannot worry about the war on terror. If he was worried about the war on terror he would have secured america first. The war is just another way to drain the american taxpayers.

Originally Posted by Beckyal

The war is not doing anything for america and the culture in Iraq has yet to change for them to maintain a culture similiar to america. Just as we resent people coming in trying to change our culture, they resent us trying to change their culture. I am not sure that we should be supporting this war just on bush's say so. He lies like a dog. Excuse me dogs, I didn't mean to insult you.

Good point. You don't bring democracy to a people while pointing a gun in their face. Ron Paul said it best: Help the world by cleaning our own house, lead by example.

It is also worthy to point out that Iraq is not a nation, never has been. It is three distinct groups of people who only live within the same governmental system first by imperialism, then tyranny, and now occupation. It is analogous to what America is turning into. Polygot nations do not work.