Encouraging developments
By Chris Barge, Rocky Mountain News
June 15, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives this morning voted to withhold federal emergency services funding for “sanctuary cities” that protect illegal immigrants.
Anti-illegal immigration champion Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., sponsored the measure, which he says would apply to cities such as Denver and Boulder. He was elated by its passage, which stunned critics and supporters alike.
The Littleton Republican’s amendment to the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill appears to have no language specifically defining a sanctuary city. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has long disputed giving the city that label. “The issue has come to fruition,” Tancredo said by cell phone after the vote. “The people of the country really have spoken. It’s a really good indicator of just how much closer to the people the House is than the Senate is.”
The House passed the amendment, 234 to 189, with 50 Democrats voting in favor.
Tancredo and his staffers hooted and cheered from his office across the street from the Capitol immediately after the vote.
Tancredo has introduced similar amendments at least seven other times since 2004, but each has failed — often by wide margins.
The Homeland Security appropriations bill faces a vote tonight in the House, then later in the Senate. It must also be signed by the President before it becomes law
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