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GOP puts illegal immigration in center of trade, healthcare debate |
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By Jackie Kucinich
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Posted: 11/01/07 07:48 PM [ET] |
There have been few words spoken in this congressional session that have caused as much emotional rhetoric as “illegal immigration” — which is exactly why Republican leaders have made sure they stay front and center.
GOP members have used the hot-button issue of illegal immigration all year to rile Democrats, who are deeply divided on the matter.
On Wednesday, the GOP took issue with a provision in the trade adjustment assistance bill (TAA), arguing that it could extend worker-adjustment benefits to illegal residents. It has waged a similar battle over the State Children’s Healthcare Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill, demanding that it contain language making it more difficult for illegal immigrants to access the program.
This tactic has not gone unnoticed. During a floor speech on the trade adjustment assistance bill, Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) became livid when Republican Study Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) said the Democrats were deliberately following a strategy to give government benefits to illegal immigrants.
“Whether it be for housing benefits and agriculture appropriations, or whether it be in SCHIP, what we see is language to make it easier for illegal immigrants to access these benefits,” Hensarling said. “We see it each and every time that the bill comes to the floor ...We see it yet again in this legislation.”
Pascrell responded, “Every time you get backed into a corner, you bring up illegal aliens.”
He attempted to have Hensarling’s words taken down from the record but was denied.
In an interview later, Pascrell said that Republicans throw the issue out because they know it is inflammatory and that neither SCHIP nor TAA extend any benefits to those illegally living in the United States.
Pascrell added that he had wanted to tell Hensarling: “Don’t try to make this a partisan issue. It’s your president that brought this up.” But Hensarling had already left the floor.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) one of the leading voices in the House for comprehensive immigration reform, said that prejudice was at the root of the attacks.
“Prejudice works. It’s wonderful to use [immigration] as a wedge issue to confuse voters,” he said. But he also blamed Democrats for offering too timid a response to GOP attacks on the issue.
“Many Democrats in the House support immigration reform, but [the] caucus as a whole has yet to embrace it,” he said. “As long as Republicans see fear in the [Democratic Caucus on immigration issues], they will continue to use it.”
Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (Fla.) agreed on that point.
“Democrats recognize that they have a weakness and are pretty jumpy on the issue,” he said in a statement. “This is an issue that is vitally important and [Democrats] have a lack of assimilation.”
Republicans have jumped on every opportunity to eviscerate Democrats on the issue. On Wednesday, they blasted Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) closing comments on the SCHIP debate, when she referred to the term “illegal aliens” as a Republican phrase and said she preferred “undocumented.”
In August, Republicans made political hay from the issue after the House gaveled to close a motion to recommit that would have amended an immigration-related provision in the agriculture appropriations bill at 214-214. The chamber’s electronic vote tally showed the amendment passing by a margin of 215–213, sparking GOP anger and charges of manipulation.
In the days following the vote, Republican aides flooded email inboxes with a flurry of newspaper editorials validating their outrage.
“We’re here and continuing to fight on behalf of the American people because the other night, the American people were deprived of a vote that would allow illegal immigrants to get benefits paid for by American taxpayers,” Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said at the time.
Republicans say they want to hold Democrats accountable to promises they made on the campaign trail and make sure that those who earn the benefits receive them.
“It’s about holding Democrats accountable and doing what’s best for the country when they won’t and don’t,” said Brian Kennedy, a Boehner spokesman. “Illegal immigration is a threat to the economy and to our national security, but the only solutions Democrats have proposed include cutting funds for the border fence and handing out new driver’s licenses and taxpayer-funded healthcare.
“Of course Republicans are going to act,” he added.
“A lot of moderate centrist Democrats ran on a position against illegal immigration in 2006,” said Kurt Bardella, a spokesman for Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.), who is leading House GOP efforts on this front. “There is a certain sentiment and resentment [against illegal immigration] that’s been building in the American consciousness for a long time.” |
