NEWSLETTER WEEK of OCT 18


THIS ISSUE: Once again, Amnesty talk is front and center; but, is the GOP willing to act?

Now that the shutdown is over and the debt crisis has been averted, politicians in Washington were quick to pivot to the issue of immigration. On Tuesday, Pres. Barack Obama told the Univision affiliate in Los Angeles that his top priority is to push for an amnesty for 11-18 million illegal aliens.

His press secretary, Jay Carney, confirmed that on Wednesday during his daily press briefing at the White House. And on Thursday, Pres. Obama delivered a speech laying out his priorities for the rest of the year, including a blanket amnesty.

"[W]e should finish the job of fixing our broken immigration system.

There's already a broad coalition across America that's behind this effort of comprehensive immigration reform."

His comments were followed with dozens of op-eds and blogs from pro-amnesty leaders who all agree that it's the perfect time for the Republican controlled House of Representatives to pass an amnesty as a way to re cover from the public relations hit it took during the government shutdown. Pres. Obama even included a line in his speech about how "comprehensive immigration reform" has the support of the American people.

"The majority of Americans think this is the right thing to do."

Not so fast!

A new poll from NBC News has found that the American people have little tolerance for amnesty, and even more importantly, very little from what NBC News calls the new "American Center." The "American Center" makes up more than half the nation's population and accounts for almost all the "swing voters" who show no allegiance to either party.

The poll found that the American Center rejects amnesty 54-to-32. Furthermore, poll data indicate that amnesty barely enjoys majority support from the political "left", while the political "right" is in overwhelming opposition.

The new NBC poll may not be the only thing to slow any momentum amnesty may have. Shortly after the budget crisis was resolved, there were new reports that House Speaker John Boehner had told the GOP caucus that he would not go to conference with the Senate on a comprehensive bill. Rather, he would only conference on piecemeal bills. (That, however, is no assurance that the piecemeal bill is the mini-amnesty Boehner is working on.)

In addition, Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Id.) told the Huffington Post that he thought immigration was dead for the year, saying that he couldn't see how Speaker Boehner could possibly negotiate with Pres. Obama after the President would not negotiate with Republicans on the budget. You may remember that Rep. Labrador was part of the House "Gang of Eight" working on a comprehensive bill.

All in all, some pretty good news this week despite Pres. Obama's renewed push for amnesty. But, as Rep. John Yarmouth (D-Ky.) stated earlier this month, money talks when it comes to immigration, and the pro-amnesty groups have lots of it.

At the end of the month, Facebook's FWD.us group will host a "fly-in" where leaders from both business and faith-based organizations will come to Washington and meet with lawmakers, so we need to make sure Congress continues to hear from the grassroots!

We've posted a new fax on your Action Boardthat tells Congress about the new NBC poll and the American Center's distaste for amnesty. Please send this fax today and be on the lookout for more action opportunities next week.


CHRIS CHMIELENSKI
FRI, OCT 18th