Thread: We need action now. Call your State Senators and Congressme

This is Utah

Congressional leaders once again have emerged from their
back-room negotiations with an "omnibus" appropriations bill
that secretly adds 12,000 pork-barrel earmarks and guts the
Secure Fence Act!

+ + Hutchison Amendment will gut double-layer fence

As we have been reporting to you, an amendment offered by
Sen. Hutchison will essentially gut the Secure Fence Act's
double-layer fence. This "Border Fence Funding Hoax" gives the
Department of Homeland Security total discretion over how and
where the fence is built.

In fact, DHS would not be required to build fencing in any
particular location -- and the double-layer mandate is gone!

+ + "Omnibus" spending bill also adds 12,000 pork earmarks

The DHS appropriations bill has been wrapped up and packaged with
other domestic spending bills in a massive omnibus spending
bill that hits Congress today. Votes begin tomorrow.

And if gutting the Secure Fence Act's double-layer fence wasn't
enough, Robert Novak is reporting that thousands of pork-barrel
earmarks are also hidden in this bill...

"...A little rules chicanery will hide an estimated 12,000
new earmarks, including pork that previously had not been
passed by any chamber and is "airdropped" into the bill.
The wily legislators have found a way to get around new
ethics rules that require disclosure of all such spending."

+ + Action: Call your Senators and Representative

Dana, this behavior is appalling and outrageous, and I am asking
you to call your Senators and Representatives and tell them
what you think about this massive spending bill that guts the
Secure Fence Act and quietly adds millions in pork-barrel earmarks.

Talking Points:

1. I am outraged that Congress is "airdropping" 12,000
new pork-barrel earmarks into the Consolidated
Appropriations Bill being considered this week.

2. I am also disturbed that an amendment by
Sen. Hutchison will essentially gut the Secure Fence Act
by giving Homeland Security total discretion of how
and where the fence is actually built.
(S.A. 2466 to H.R. 263

3. I want the Hutchison amendment removed and I oppose
the pork-barrel earmarks that have been included in the
Consolidated Appropriations bill.


Also...

There is still time to send faxes to key members of Congress on the
Border Fence Funding Hoax. We expect votes all this week on this
Consolidated Appropriations bill.

If you have not scheduled your faxes, go here:

http://www.grassfire.org/22042/offer.asp?rid=14630529

Of course, we always encourage you to send your own faxes if you prefer.
The above link will provide you with fax numbers and sample text.

Your phone calls and faxes are so vital. We suspect that most members
of Congress are totally unaware that an obscure amendment in this
massive spending bill will gut the Secure Fence Act’s double-layer
fence mandate and free DHS from any requirement to build any fence
in any particular location.

Thanks for taking action!


Steve Elliott, President
Grassfire.org Alliance

P.S. News sources for you:

Novak on the pork in the Consolidated Appropriations bill:

http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/Robe ... an_retreat

World Net Daily on the Hutchison amendment:

This makes me mad enough to spit nails!

emails going out tonight and phone calls in the am