Thread: Notes on the latest from Congress and other stuff...

I just wanted to make a post here to just sort of overview the latest on the immigration related legislation which is on the 'collective radar' for us.


Point 1: AgJobs. The senate is adjourned for week. Will resume Monday morning. Scheduled to be taken up next week: Farm Bill. CSpan2 keeps including in their televised banner/captions, that the Farm bill and Immigration legislation are likely to be issues the senate will deal with next week. Bottom line - be ready. Also, NumbersUSA is reporting that there is disagreement between Reid and Harkin (who chairs the Ag. Subcommittee) about whether AgJobs should be introduced as a stand-alone separate bill, or, as an amendment within the Farm bill. Each approach has it's own set of issues to confront.

Finally, it looks like [Dirty] Harry Reid is going to test Albert Einstein's famous axiom about insanity - doing the repeated behavior, and expecting a different result. Hey, why do things differently now - especially if you're a glutton for punishment. If he's happy to suffer the punishment, we're happy to dish it out!


Point 2: Soc. Sec. Legislation. A couple of amendments that passed as part of the Senate Labor/HHS bill are now going to reconciliation with the House to iron out differences (between House vs Senate versions of the bill). As you may recall, there were Amendments proposed by Sen. Ensign (R-NV), and deal explicitly with Social Security policy.

Background: while the US has signed approximately 20 other 'Totalization Agreements' with other nations regarding reciprocal Social Security benefits programs, the proposed one with Mexico is quite different. This is because the majority of Mexican nationals that 'work' in the US have done so or are doing so - illegally. No other nation provides so many illegal workers to the US. So, the situation with Mexico is quite unique and begs for special treatment.

Regading Sen. Ensign's amendments - one would stave off implementation of the SSTA (Soc. Security Totalization Agreement) with Mexico. Recall, that, an 'agreement' does not require Congressional approval! - eg. is implemented by the Executive branch, having little or no Congressional oversight nor approval!!! ... sound familiar?
The second amendment, would essentially deny SS benefits to persons that worked illegally in the US.

These are both important - considering the solvency of the US SS system and would provide another deterrent in encouraging illegal immigration and illegal work in the US. I've called Sen Ensign to tell him a big 'thanks' for proposing this legislation and consistently sticking with it to get it passed into law. Maybe you could do the same? (hint).


Point 3: SAVE Act. Rep. Shuler's (D-NC) SAVE Act is gaining a lot of favorable exposure in the US House so far. As it is sponsored by a Democrat, and appears to be exclusively focused on interior/workplace enforcement, this may bode well for it's eventual passage. While the merits (or lack thereof) of the necessity to pass yet another law to deal with illegal immigration is a good question, on the face of things, this appears to be a reasonably crafted bill geared toward illegal employment. Please continue to monitor it's progress from various sources - NumbersUSA, CSpan/CSpan2, news articles, etc.

Point 4: NY Governor Spitzer and DLs to Illegals . Well, gosh, I'm not sure exactly the status of where this mess is at. I suppose there will be more name-calling, backtracking, lobbying, 'protesting', etc. and in the end...?
Hopefully, the end result is that it won't happen.


Well, that's about it. I just wanted to provide everyone a brief snapshot of what is going on in the bigger picture of things. I don't doubt that I've overlooked something important and probably obvious as well (sorry, in advance). Feel free to post updates or corrections to what I have written here.

Happy Friday.

Thanks for the update & analysis Phred.

p.s. I'll call Sen. Ensign as well.

__________


Call the Senate: NO AgJOBS Amnesty !

Thanks Populist. As always, the kind words and recognition are appreciated.

You get 'brownie points' today!

Ditto what Populist said regarding the recap and analysis.

One thing to add. SCHIP, which has already been through the House, was passed by the Senate yesterday. It is now awaiting Bush's signature or veto. The SCHIP Bill does not have the votes necessary to prevent veto. From what I understand Bush is expected, once again, to veto the legislation.

Re: NY Governor Spitzer and DLs to Illegals

Hillary Clinton still no comment.

Dixie

Thanks "PhredE" for the recap and analysis. Good to have our memories refreshed, to much going on!! Do I get my Brownie Button?

Do we know what has happened with the " Law of the Sea Treaty" Does it come to the Senate next?

I have already called Ensign once but will back it up with another call!

I feel like I am living in Alice and Wonderland and can't hardly keep up any more, something I use to be good at!

Thanks for the update, Phred. Being gone so long I'm way behind. At least I'll know what's coming up.