November 29, 2008


Shuler to tackle immigration again next year

Gannett News Service

Rep. Heath Shuler's immigration bill to require employers to verify new workers' legal status quietly failed this fall after receiving substantial attention and support earlier in the year.

More than a third of House lawmakers — 157 — cosponsored Shuler's bill to require immigration screening of all new workers through the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify database. Republicans took up Shuler's bill in the spring and sought to force a vote on the House floor through a discharge petition.

But the effort fell short as congressional attention turned to high gas prices and then a faltering economy.

“The Democratic (congressional) leadership didn't want it,â€