This is what Senator Carper (D-DE) wrote recently to the Editors of the Wilmington (DE) News Journal.


Carper clarifies position on illegals receiving benefits

An Oct. 17 letter mischaracterized and misstated my record on immigration. I oppose allowing illegal immigrants to collect Social Security benefits and have never supported legislation that would give illegal immigrants living in this country access to Social Security, Medicare or any other federal entitlement.
I do believe that if undocumented workers pay a fine, pay their taxes, hold down a job, learn English, stay out of trouble and eventually earn their U.S. citizenship over a period of time, then they should have the same rights as any other citizen of this country. As my friend and colleague, Sen. John McCain has said, it's only fair that if immigrants pay Social Security taxes as they earn the right to be U.S. citizens, then they should get the benefits they paid for and, ultimately, deserve.

Sen. Tom Carper, Wilmington

Perhaps Senator Carper can explain his vote on the Motion to Table an amendment to S-2611 that would have prohibited illegal aliens from receiving Social Security benefits. With the final tally (50-49) Senator Carper could have made a difference on this issue. So while it is not a LIE that Carper has never voted for LEGISLATION that would give illegals Social Security benefits when he had the opportunity to amend a bill that would have prohibited it, he voted to table (kill) the amendment. This is the kind of political “doublespeak” that voters should be sick and tired of. Typical Washington BS
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UB

U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109th Congress - 2nd Session
as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate
Vote Summary
Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Ensign Amdt. No. 3985 )
Vote Number: 130 Vote Date: May 18, 2006, 12:50 PM
Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to
Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 3985 to S. 2611 (Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 )

Statement of Purpose: To reduce document fraud, prevent identity theft, and preserve the integrity of the Social Security system, by ensuring that persons who receive an adjustment of status under this bill are not able to receive Social Security benefits as a result of unlawful activity.
Vote Counts: YEAs 50
NAYs 49
Not Voting 1