Thread: IN: SB 335-The True Story Behind the GOP House Walkout

You have previously contacted me regarding SB 335, the Immigration bill before the Indiana General Assembly. I wanted to bring you up to date on this issue.

This past Monday, the Public Policy Committee amended SB 335 by closing some loopholes in the original language. The original language would have allowed the majority of employers to avoid having to check the legal status of their hires. Under the amended version, employers would be required to verify the legal status of all of their hires.

This bill passed out of committee on a 7-4 vote. Four Democrats and three Republicans voted in favor of the bill which demonstrated bipartisan support for the amended version of SB 335. There were no other amendments proposed during committee which surprised me. It was my belief some members may have other issues to raise and open up to debate. Since no other amendments were offered and we had bipartisan support, I assumed this bill was on its way.

However, to my surprise a Republican member of the committee filed a minority committee report within an hour of the conclusion of the committee meeting on Monday. Although this was his right to file such a report, he never informed me of his concerns, nor did he present any of the concepts in the report as amendments in committee.

Since it takes time to prepare such a report, it was obvious he had planned this procedural maneuver prior to our committee meeting on Monday. The manner in which all of this was carried out immediately gave me concern as to the real purpose of the report. There was, of course, the concern this report was nothing more than a "poison pill" to kill SB 335. The reason I felt this was an attempt to kill SB 335 was due to the fact the substance of the minority committee report was the same as an amendment presented by the same member in 2006. The substance of the minority report was defeated in the House in 2006 by a vote of 74-19.

By attempting to put this same language into SB 335, I was concerned this Republican committee member was setting the bill up for defeat.

After deliberation on how to approach this procedural maneuver, it was decided to take the contents of SB 335 and present it as a second reading amendment to another pending bill. By taking this step, we would guarantee the entire House would get the opportunity to vote on the issue of illegal immigration.

In order to avoid the "poison pill" of the minority committee report, the contents of SB 335 (as amended and approved in a bipartisan manner in the Public Policy committee) were presented as an amendment to SB 345. The amendment was presented on Thursday, February 21st. When it was presented, House Republicans complained about the procedure that was used to avoid the "poison pill" of the minority committee report. These complaints led to the House Republicans walking off the floor of the House and not returning.

The business of the House was recessed until Monday, February 25th. It is at that time I hope the issue of holding employers accountable for the hiring of illegal aliens will finally be addressed by the House. I cannot predict whether the House Republicans will continue to delay action on this bill.

I must also comment that I do not believe this delay is an action of the entire House Republican caucus. It is my gut feeling the majority of their caucus wants to vote on this bill and hold employers accountable. However, I also believe there are a limited few who simply want to politicize the issue of illegal immigration instead of implementing sound public policy. In my time here at the House, it has become obvious some leaders want to prepare their next commercial for election season instead of solving our state's problems.

I can promise you I will continue to work towards passing the policy of holding employers accountable for hiring illegal aliens. This is the first and most effective step to take in solving this problem. After all, isn't that why we have legislative bodies, to solve the problems of our state? I know that is why I am here.

Trent Van Haaften

Indiana State Representative

District 76

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 4:41 PM
To: h76@in.gov; h99@in.gov; h36@in.gov; h72@in.gov; h81@in.gov; h2@in.gov; h9@in.gov; h83@in.gov; h35@in.gov; h52@in.gov; h39@in.gov; h21@in.gov
Subject: SB 335, close loopholes and vote YES

I am writing to ask for your support on SB 335, Mike Delph’s immigration bill. It cracks down on employers, empowers local police, and stops illegals from receiving state benefits.

It far beyond time to enforce ALL of our country’s laws. It seems ridiculous to have to say this but; we must re-establish the rule of law that is a foundation of our country. Illegal aliens with the aid of unscrupulous employers take jobs from American citizens. The states of Georgia, Oklahoma, and Arizona have passed similar laws to deal with this and illegal aliens are leaving those states. A perfect example that illustrates enforcement works.

It is important for all states to take action when the Federal government fails to protect Americans from illegal immigration. The negative impacts of illegal immigration are felt locally, in our communities and our states, not in Washington, DC.

Please stand with the vast majority of Americans who want our laws enforced, which will make sure illegal aliens do not take jobs or benefits designed for citizens. We want our local and state police enforcing immigration laws and cooperating with the federal immigration authorities. That would be an advantageous relationship, which would protect our communities and provide for a beneficial environment for citizens and legal residents.

Chair Rep. Van Haaften is holding SB 335 until Monday, February 18th in committee so amendments can be prepared to close the loopholes (employee definition, exemptions, etc). Rep. Vern Tincher and Van Haaften will be offering amendments to the bill, which would require employers to verify the legal status of all new hires. By closing these loopholes, it will make sure the bill has teeth and will be effective in curbing and eliminating the hiring of illegal aliens. It is important to insure that every loophole is closed.

Once this is done, I ask that you please support and pass Senate Bill 335 for the good of Indiana and the entire country.

Sincerely,

Why is this necessary since IT IS ALREADY THE LAW???????????????

I wonder which Republican presented the pre-prepared minority report?