http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=3317
In the wake of last year’s failed immigration reform efforts, twelve Republican Senators introduced 15 specific enforcement bills on March 5, each designed to make important improvements to America’s immigration system.
Each bill in the package represents a specific step toward securing America’s borders, increasing enforcement at the workplace, or restoring law and order to our nation’s immigration system. The coalition, led by U.S. Sen. Jeff http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=1097 (R-AL), will call for full Senate consideration on each of the individual bills as amendments to any appropriate legislative vehicle or as stand-alone pieces of legislation.
“The American people have made it clear that they want Congress to take action to limit illegal immigration, secure our borders and restore lawfulness to our immigration system,” http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=697 said. “We cannot afford to sit idly and do nothing. This package of legislation represents a series of politically achievable steps that will make real improvements to our immigration system.” The package of legislation covers a range of issues, including completion of the border fence, establishing English as the national language, discouraging states from granting driver’s licenses to illegal aliens and establishing mandatory minimum sentences for illegal entry into the United States.
Following the introduction of the bills, the senators invoked a procedural rule to bring the bills directly to floor, giving Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) the opportunity to allow votes on the measures at any time.
Introducing specific bills is necessary due to the failure of last year’s comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The lesson learned from that debate was that Congress must secure the nation’s borders in order to demonstrate credibility to the American people.
Congress found common ground prior to the 2006 elections when it passed the bipartisan Secure Fence Act. Members involved in today’s bill roll-out hope that Congress will again take advantage of an election cycle and enact specific, meaningful reforms.