Thread: Statement by CaSenator Tom McClintock in Opposition to SB 60

Statement by Senator Tom McClintock in Opposition to SB 60

Senate Floor, June 2, 2005

Mr. President:

Let’s make one thing very clear from the outset. The new federal law DOES NOT require states to give driving-only driver’s licenses to foreign nationals illegally in this country. The new federal law DOES NOT in any way sanction states that do not give driving-only driver’s licenses to foreign nationals illegally in this country.

This bill does many other things that are NOT required by federal law:

California currently requires every applicant for a driver’s license to prove they are legally in this country. THIS BILL REPEALS THAT LAW.

California currently makes it a misdemeanor to assist an illegal alien in obtaining a driver’s license. THIS BILL REPEALS THAT LAW.

Not only are these provisions NOT required by federal law, they are a radical departure from state law.

So what is the point of this bill? California already recognizes a valid foreign driver’s license as proof of competence to operate a motor vehicle in this state. So it is not about training.

Automobile insurance is already available to any foreign national travelling in the United States. In fact, if I were to travel to Mexico as a foreign national, I would be subject to severe requirements for automobile insurance. If the author were really concerned about this issue, he would be proposing reciprocal requirements for Mexican nationals travelling in the United States.

So here is the fine point of it. The purpose of this measure and its predecessors is to make a very strong statement that it is the official policy of this state to ignore our nation’s immigration laws.

Those laws require a foreign national illegally in the United States to be deported. There is nothing radical or unusual about this. Every other nation in the world has immigration laws. The difference is that every other nation in the world enforces them.

By extending official state documents to illegal aliens, we are accommodating them in their violation of federal immigration law. We are adopting an official policy that this state will simply turn a blind eye to violations of those laws.

If it comes to that, we might as well repeal our immigration laws as meaningless vestiges of bygone days when this nation actually valued its sovereignty and independence.

Acidrain

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Iam all for McClintock, right on!

Acidrain, BRAVO. I am for MCCLintock too now and I don't even live in CAlifornia. IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT WEEK.

Thanks for the post!

You arent welcome! LOL JK

Acid

Tom McClintock would have made a fantastic Governor for our state of California if he won the recall election a few years ago. I think he is the most knowledgeable politician in the state, and a true fiscal conservative. Something we desperately need in office since the state has a severe spending problem that is way out of control. I preferred him over Arnold Schwarzenegger during the recall of former Governor Grayout Davis, but the majority went with Arnold who is more of a centrist politician.

The problem with California is thier are to many Laws on the books which we the people have allowed to go though with a Liberal agenda. We need real change and i know that Arnold isnt McClintock but he is better than the Lt Governor.

Acidrain

I agree Arnold is a much better choice than Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante. However the recall election did expose what kind of person and politician he really is. I think it damaged his future chance of becoming Governor unless we get a Mexican voting majority in the state.

I don't understand how he got as far as Lt. Gov. since he doesn't have a clue how to run the state, and his tough love solution of raising everyone's taxes sky high didn't win him many supporters.