Thread: Napolitano calls Congressional border hearings 'delay tactic

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/140495.php

Published: 08.02.2006

Napolitano calls Congressional border hearings 'delay tactic'

By Howard Fischer
CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES

PHOENIX -- Gov. Janet Napolitano chided members of Congress Wednesday for holding hearings about border issues in Arizona rather than actually doing something about it.

"These hearings are a delay tactic," Napolitano said. She called the hearings -- one in Yuma on Wednesday and another set for Phoenix Thursday -- "simply political events."

But the governor said her own trip to the border later Thursday does not fit the same description. Napolitano will be escorting Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius whose state has sent 50 members of its National Guard to the border.

Both incumbents seeking reelection this year have come under fire from foes who say they have not done enough to deal with the problem of people being in this country illegally. And there are other common threads.

Sebelius signed legislation to allow students in this country illegally to pay in-state tuition at state universities. Napolitano vetoed legislation this year to require these students to pay higher non-resident tuition.
And Sebelius supports allowing illegal immigrants to have state driver licenses. Napolitano said in 2003 she would sign such a bill if it reached her desk, though press aide Jeanine L'Ecuyer refused to say if that is still the governor's position.

Napolitano said Thursday's trip is part of her role and that of Sebelius as commanders-in-chief of their Guard units. "It's part and parcel of our responsibilities as governors with Guard at the border."
But Napolitano does not see the congressional hearings the same way.

"I don't think they're helping to resolve the issue," she said. Napolitano said what's needed is for congressional leaders to "get in a room and negotiate a bill that's comprehensive, that deals with everything from the number of visas allowed to employer sanctions and enforceability."
Congressman Trent Franks, R-Ariz., agreed with the need for federal action.

And Franks, a member of the House Armed Services Committee which conducted the hearing Wednesday in Yuma, said it has some political purpose. But he said that is a necessary part of reaching that goal.

"I hope that this will generate enough movement in the country that it will hopefully put enough pressure on the Senate that they will pass some kind of a bill that, in the conference committee, can be a tenable bill to the House," he said.

House Republicans have balked at a Senate-passed plan which includes some enforcement provisions but also sets up a new "guest worker" program and a path to citizenship for those who entered this country illegally. Franks said the Senate plan short-changes border security, making this country susceptible to attack by terrorists who could sneak a portable nuclear device across the border.

Another hearing by the Committee on House Administration, set for today, drew fire from members of the Valley Interfaith Project because their request to speak has been denied.

That committee is reviewing federal voting laws and wants to hear about the impact of Proposition 200. That measure, approved by Arizona voters in 2004, requires proof of citizenship to register and positive identification before voting.

Cathy Tompkins, a lay leader of Trinity United Methodist Church in Phoenix, said her group which opposed Proposition 200 wants to tell committee members about its negative effects.

Jon Brandt, press aide to Rep. Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich., who chairs the committee, said the panel has a limited amount of time. He said there will be input from all sides of the issue.

Among those who will testify are Phoenix attorney Daniel Ortega who fought Proposition 200, Tohono O'odham tribal Chairwoman Vivian Juan-Saunders and Mary Wilson, president of the League of Women Voters. The panel also will hear from Secretary of State Jan Brewer and Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, both Prop 200 supporters, as well as Maricopa County Elections Director Karen Osborne.

Brandt said committee staffers told members of Valley Interfaith Project they could submit written comments.
If you go

The U.S. House Committee on Administration will conduct a hearing on voting in federal elections beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday in hearing room 1 of the state Senate. While the hearing is open to the public, only those invited to speak will be able to make presentations.

"These hearings are a delay tactic,"

Please Ms Napolitano tell us all about what extensive work you have done to stem the flow and secure our borders. I know this has been your #1 priority for years.

Both incumbents seeking reelection this year have come under fire from foes who say they have not done enough to deal with the problem of people being in this country illegally. And there are other common threads.

What is the feelings from ALIPAC members from these states, will both of them be reelected?