House Issues

Senate Issues

1. Border Protection, Immigration Control Act (HR.4437).

The “Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act” was the main bill in the House to strengthen enforcement of immigration laws and enhance border security. The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act. Bill passed 239-182 on 12/16/05 (Vote #661). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the bill.

1. Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act (S. 2611).

The largest amnesty bill ever proposed by Congress, this bill would provide over 10 million illegal aliens with amnesty and a path to citizenship, double legal immigration and provide green cards for up to 66 million foreigners over 20 years. Passed 62-36 on 5/25/06 (Vote #157). Grassfire.org OPPOSED the bill.

2. Increase Border Controls (Hunter Amendment to H .R.4437).

The Hunter Amendment was a key amendment to strengthen H.R.4437’s border security impact. The amendment would shore up security by building fences and other physical infrastructure to stop illegal aliens from entering the country. The amendment passed 260-159 on 12/15/05 (Vote #640). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the amendment.

2. Cloture Motion On Comprehensive Reform (S. 2611).

This procedural move to end debate in the Senate required 60 votes for passage and was the best opportunity to block S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. Cloture motion passed 73-25 on 5/24/06 (Vote #144). Grassfire OPPOSED the cloture motion.

3. REAL ID Act (H.R.418).

This bill would set federal standards for issuance of Driver’s Licenses requiring proof of “legal presence”. Illegal aliens would be ineligible to obtain a license. Bill passed 261-161 on 2/10/05 (Vote #31). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the amendment.

3. Social Security Benefits For Illegals (S.A.3985 to S.2611).

A motion to table the Ensign amendment that would have prohibited Social Security payments to individuals not having a valid SSN. Designed to address the issue of granting illegal aliens Social Security credit for wages earned while illegally in the country. Motion to table passed 50-49 on 5/18/06 (Vote#130). In supporting the amendment, Grassfire OPPOSED the motion to table.

4. Secure Fence Act (H.R.6061).

Authorizes the construction of 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the southwest border and mandates that the Department of Homeland Secuirty achieves “operational control” over the border. Passed 283-138 on 9/14/06 (Vote #446). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the bill.

4. English As The “National Language” (S.A.4064 to S.2611).

This amendment (the Inhofe Amendment) to S. 2611, declares English as the national language of the United States and promotes the patriotic integration of prospective U.S. citizens. Passed 62-35 on 5/18/06 (Vote #131). Grassfire SUPPORTED the amendment.

5. Prohibit Foreign Worker Import Provisions (Tancredo Amendment to H.R.2862).

The amendment would prohibit U.S. Trade Representatives from including in Free Trade Agreements provisions to allow for foreign worker importation. The amendment was defeated 106-322 on 6/16/05 (Vote #263). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the amendment.

5. Mexican Consultation On Border Fence (S.A.4188 to S.2611).

Manager’s Amendment offered by Sen. Specter that included provision requiring consultation with Mexican government regarding construction of fencing and other border security measures—a provision that would have made a border fence a bureaucratic impossibility. Passed 56-41 on 5/25/06 (Vote #156). Grassfire OPPOSED the amendment.

6. Funding For Employment Verification System (Marshall Amendment #2 to H.R.5441).

Amendment to increase the funding for the USCIS verification program by $20 million. The amendment passed 358-63 on 5/25/06 (Vote #220). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the amendment.

6. National Guard To The Border (S.A.4076 to S.2611).

The amendment (the Ensign Amendment) gave authorization to state governors to assign National Guard units to assist in security efforts along America’s southern border. The amendment passed 83-10 on 5/22/06 (Vote #137). Grassfire SUPPORTED the amendment.

7. No Homeland Security Funding for Sanctuary Cities (King Amendment to H.R.5441).

Amendment would deny Department of Homeland Security funding to state and local governments that refuse to share information with federal immigration authorities. Amendment passed 218-179 on 6/6/06 (Vote #223). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the amendment.

7. Border Security First (S.A.3691 to S.2611). Called the Isakson Amendment, this provision would have required that the border security measures of S.2611 be implemented prior to any implementation of amnesty or guest worker provisions. The “Border Security First” amendment was defeated 40-55 on 5/16/06 (Vote #121). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the amendment.

8. Deny Funding To Sanctuary Cities (Tancredo Amendment to 2862).

This amendment to the Justice and Commerce department appropriations bill was designed to deny funding to states and cities that enact sanctuary policies that prohibit public officials, including police officers, from asking an individual’s immigration status to determine eligibility for public services and from reporting illegal aliens to authorities. The amendment failed 204-222 on 6/15/05 (Vote #262). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the amendment.

8. Relaxation Of Foreign Certification (S.A.4066 to S.2611).

The Kennedy Amendment weakened worker protection provisions of S.2611, making it easier for employers to import foreign workers. Provision did not require federal certification of the employer’s need. The amendment passed 56-43 of 5/18/06 (Vote #129). Grassfire OPPOSED the amendment.

9. Must Share Information With Homeland Security (Tancredo Amendment to H.R.2360).

Amendment sought to prevent State and local governments who refuse to share information with Federal immigration authorities from being able to obtain Federal funds under the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2006. The amendment failed 165-285 on 5/17/05 (Vote #177). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the amendment.

9. Remove Amnesty From S.2611 (S.A.3963 to S.2611).

The Vitter Amendment to S. 2611 was designed to strip away “path to legalization” and “agriculture worker” amnesty plans that created amnesty for some 16 million illegal aliens and family members. This attempt to remove major amnesty provisions from S.2611 was defeated 33-66 on 5/17/06 (Vote #127). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the amendment.

10. Norwood Amendment On Local Enforcement Authority (H.A.163 to H.R.1817).

The Norwood Amendment clarified the authority of state and local law enforcement officials to assist in the apprehension and detention of illegal aliens. Amendment strengthened border security. Amendment passed 242-185 on 5/18/05 (Vote #185). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the amendment.

10. 1,000 More Border Agents (S.A.1219 to H.R.2360).

The Ensign Amendment was designed to re- allocate funds within the Homeland Security Appropriations bill from the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness to U.S. Customs in order to fund the hiring of 1,000 additional border patrol agents. The amendment failed 38-60 on 7/14/05 (Vote #179). Grassfire.org  SUPPORTED the amendment.

11. Military Assistance On The Border (H.A.206 to H.R.1815).

The Goode Amendment would authorize the Secretary of Defense to assign military personnel to assist with border security functions. The amendment passed 245-184 on 5/25/05 (Vote #214). Grassfire. org SUPPORTED the amendment.

11. Secure Fence Act (H.R.6061).

Authorizes the construction of 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the southwest border, and mandates The  Department of Homeland Security to achieve “operational control” over the border. Passed 80-19 on 9/29/06 (Vote #262). Grassfire.org SUPPORTED the bill.