Thread: CSpan2: Senate Convenes 7:35am Pacific

Menendez (D-NJ) has floor...


Menendez speaking about enforcement of Fed. Immigration Laws.

Talking about Coleman (R-MN) amendment - which deals with state/local involvement in immigration enforcement and inquiry about legal status.

Menendez is speaking against Coleman amend.

Menendez claims status reporting requirements tend to discourage 'immigrants' from reporting crimes.

[....Usual argument about IAs reporting crimes, getting health care treatment, etc]

Mentions that existing law allows cooperation with ICE under 287(g) - MOU.

Claims Coleman amend. will lead to racial profiling, etc.

Yields...


Kennedy speaks...

This is important because it is unfair, opens up a whole system of profiling.

We've got very strong provisions for border security, for employment security, I think this endangers American citizens....

Menendez speaks...

Actually, this makes hospital workers enforcement workers.

Example of outbreak of a disease: treat at hospital? Oh no, afraid they'll get response: 'we can't treat you'.

How about US citizens w/o insurance?

This is why most local gov'ts haven't pursued this.


Now addresses Cornyn's amendment (CA):

Substantive - but undermines 'grand bargain'.

How? Under CA adds ability to increase deportability esp. for those pertaining to doc fraud, ss fraud, identity theft - and many apply retroactively. [He is protesting this]

You would have huge numbers of people that would be caught by this bill that would be deportable. Would place those coming forward for legalization into catch-22...

But, if they admit they have false SS# working in US, that indiv could be prosecuted for fraud - not receive legalization.

Could affect 'thousands and thousands' - could threaten 'grand bargain'.

[Author note - how about the victims of ID theft perpetrated by IAs here? WHAT ABOUT THEM?]

We'll have individs that will not be subject to benefits of pathway to c-ship;
will be prosecuted as well.

Also applies to those who just apply for admission.


Permits secret evidence to be used against individ w/o chance to review.

Never know reason for denial.

Allows deportations based on unreviewable info by Executive Branch.


Another - all provisions are retroactive. Antithetical to core American values. Unconstitutional in criminal law. etc.

Why would we want to repeat past mistakes in earlier reforms?


Look, we can be tough, we can be smart - but at end of day, let us not undermine constitutional review, due process, etc.

We are moving in this bill, by amendments, to move us in such a state that continues to erode the original bill.

Cornyn amend should be defeated...

Yields the floor...

Kennedy has floor...

Talking about schedule, filler discussion...

Voting upcoming on amendments:


To talk about Coleman Amend (CA)

US people are concerned about security, terrorism, etc.

We have heard that and have taken action.

In leg. we have taken important steps on security.

It is important to understand how Coleman doesn't meet the 'test'.

Undermines other elements of security (health, etc).

We are doing...BP larger, employer enforcement, border infrastructure, more detention space, penalties for gang violence, passport fraud, etc.

The question: does CA add to our security?

What CA basically does - is saying to any teacher, doctor, nurse - if 'probable cause', then they can test individ for c-ship or not.

Uses example of Tubeculosis (TB): 71% of those that have TB are foreign.

In order to protect American children we need to screen people, ...to doctor: "i'm not sure I'm going to treat you'...then what happens? ...
Typical situation. Immunizations are down in this country.
What happens? More vulnerable to disease. Children have to go to school, mix with other kids...

It is false security. We have tough security in the bill.

How about battered women. It is a reality. Many of women being battered are undocumented individs. - what happens? 'you're not documented, we won't treat you'.

What will happen to migrant the observes a crime?
What happens when they try to report it?

So, I think this is a false security and unnecessary.

CA would prevent local gov'ts to have flexibility to ensure public health.
Esp - immunization, screenings, etc - consequences for everyone is severe.

Public health care workers should not be enforcers.

And, they'd have to track changes in immigration law...

"Even on the floor of the US Senate - they don't understand it"

What will be affects? - it doesn't make sense.

yields...


Specter has floor...

Specter speaks...

[Transcriber ME - takes break]

Don't want to interfer on your thread Phred just want to leave alittle message

Come on everyone lets get our voices heard, time to get involved, calls, faxes e-mails and post at this link and let everyone know what you are hearing. Lets let congress know what real Americans Want!!

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... c&p=363412

Check out Operation Bring it Home also and get your home towns involved!!

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... ic&t=63288

Dorgan on the floor,once again trying to speak out against guest worker and up for the American Worker.!!!

SOSAD....YOU GO GIRL!

Originally Posted by April

Dorgan on the floor,once again trying to speak out against guest worker and up for the American Worker.!!!

SOSAD....YOU GO GIRL!

I'm a poet and didn't know it get it( thread phred)

No problem Sosad. Good move!

[Picking up at 8:23am Pacific]


Byron Dorgan has floor...

Speaking on effect on US workers.

Now, we must have border security.

Other Senator said - one way or another said 'workers will come in, legally or illegally'.

Cites ladder / fence at border analogy.

Illegal immigration is going to happen - like it or not - so let's just call them 'legal' - ....I don't understand it.

Let's do 1 additional thing: let's sunset this provision (describes 200K+ addition each yr).
let's sunset this at 5yrs and take a look at it and see how things are going?
Have the claims here - will they be accurate?

Referring to senate re: compromise (from Congress Daily 5/23):
Martinez would not consider the sunset provision a 'deal breaker'.
Martinez 1 of 12 grand bargainers....

This amendment not unreasonable per Martinez.

We have passed a lot of leg. in Congress that deals w/ important policy provision - eg farm bill, intelligence reform bill, etc. all have sunset provision.

Sunset provision is good reality check in 5yrs time.


Downward pressure on wages - comes from influx of cheap labor.

That's ok if you're not one of those [chicken-pluckers], but ...

I regret I disagree with some members of the senate here.
This is very important policy question.

Summarize: Remind my colleagues where we've been. Almost 100yrs ago, a man died of lead poisoning - shot 54 times- he decided to fight for workers rights in the country,

1. fair wage
2. safe workplace
3. right to organize

He killed because of these.
Over 100 yrs, we have improved these things, that would raise people up.
We expanded the middle class, with good paying jobs, w/ benefits, etc.

What they see now is downward pressure on income, people being treated like bridges, save a few bucks by layoffs, what does this have to do with this bill? It has a lot to do with this bill.

Border security is the first step in solving this problem.
If we don't have border security, I'm afraid we'll be back here in 15 years having this discussion all over again.

The support by USCoC - was to bring in temp/guest workers.
I didn't support it then, and I don't support it now.

We have enough people coming already.
We have a quota system. We should observe the quotas already established.

I understand the urge to want to be sensitive to those that have been here a long, long time. I understand that many have been model citizens.
I think they should be able to earn legal status.


Let me summarize:

1. Urge sunset provision.

2. I respect our disagreements...etc.


Yields floor...

[THANK YOU SEN DORGAN!!!!]


Kennedy has floor.

Kennedy speaks...

I rise in opposition to the Dorgan amendment.


I'm going to show a chart about what is happening to workers in New Bedford MA and US workers.

This is a sweatshop in New Bedford. What is happening to the workers?

These workers we fined for going to the bathroom, docked for being late, fired for talking on the job, etc..

This is the tradition in sweatshops in New Beford, - it is a tradition that employers are able to exploit undocumented workers.

Because they are undocumented - they are threatened with possible deportation, by employer. - that is happening today!
(becoming louder....) Those are the facts, those are the facts.

What are we trying to do with this legislation. You are undocumented.
You are safe... (etc.)

[Transcriber break - 8:42am Pacific]

Question: Do I really need to get Windbag's comments?

I really DO need a break.

I didn't read the whole thing, and I really like Senator Dorgan, but what good will it be if they sunset the bill? Things will be so far gone by then, Senator Dorgan, that you will no longer have a say yourself!