Shuler Presses House Leadership for Save Act Vote

Rep. Heath Shuler (R-NC) is pressing the House Democratic leadership to schedule a vote on his bill, H.R. 4088 (the SAVE Act) which would increase manpower for the Border Patrol and internal enforcement. It also would require companies to use the E-Verify program to determine the legal status of their employees. The latter is a key step to deal with illegal immigration because lack of effective identification has long been a major hindrance to immigration law enforcement.

Although H.R. 4088 has 130 co-sponsors, the Democratic leadership, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), do not want it passed. The Washington Times reported (editorial 2/25/08) that if pressure builds to move it to the floor, Pelosi and the others will respond with what the Times calls "Plan B" — the attachment of an amendment by Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA) of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. It would grant illegal aliens who pass a background check a five-year temporary worker permit and also provide legal immunity to employers who hire them. Given that this mini-amnesty would have little appeal during the current election season, Baca's amendment, if added to the Save Act, would have the effect of killing it.

Andrew Whalen, a spokesman for Rep. Shuler, said that the congressman will continue his efforts. "Our push has never stopped to get cosponsors," said Whalen. "We just want to see our bill get its vote." Additional Source: Gannet News Service 2/25/08

Comment: AIC members, please keep up your pressure on your representatives to cosponsor H.R. 4088 if they haven't done so already. Adding cosponsors will help bring the bill to a vote. Also demand that it not have the Baca amendment or any other provisions to provide legal status to illegal aliens. Take Action today!

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