JOHN CARTER

Securing our borders is the backbone of our national security, and something I have dedicated my years in Congress to protecting. Unfortunately there are those in Congress who don’t seem to think it is a priority.

Porous borders pose a grave threat to the security of America, and to the economic stability of cities and towns, especially in Texas. Concerned members from both parties, including myself, believe this issue demands action now and should not wait for a new president or a new decade. Unfortunately Nancy Pelosi has stopped legislation that I have co-sponsored that would protect our borders from coming to the House floor for a vote and being signed into law. To that end, Representative Thelma Drake has filed a discharge petition to force a vote on H.R. 4008, the SAVE Act. This bipartisan bill would address the security loopholes in our borders. If 218 Members sign the petition, Democrat leaders will be forced to hold a vote on this bill.

The SAVE Act, which is sponsored by Representative Heath Shuler, a Democrat, has 145 co-sponsors, including myself and 48 of my Democrat colleagues. The bill provides for a number of things that will drastically improve the security of our borders including:

• An increase in border patrol agents by 8,000 over the next five years; and additional 1,150 ICE agents, 140 Criminal Alien Program officers, and 250 state and local law enforcement for immigration support.

• Strengthening of alien smuggling penalties.

• Expedited removal of and increased detention facilities for illegal aliens.

• Authority for additional border infrastructure and aerial vehicles/surveillance equipment.

• Strengthened Employer Enforcement: (1) mandates usage of the E-Verify system which allows employers to make an efficient and accurate check of a hire’s employment eligibility; (2) requires employer/employee notification of Social Security number mismatches and multiple users; (3) requires establishment of electronic birth and death registration databases; (4) penalizes specified employers for failure to correct information returns; and (5) prohibits employers from deducting from gross income wages paid to unauthorized aliens.

Not only does this bill help to strengthen our borders immediately, but it is a good step towards reforming our immigration process. Last year, I introduced the Secure America for Everyone (SAFE) Act which consists of four straightforward bills addressing law enforcement, border security, and a secure ID system, ultimately leading to a practical immigration process that will make it easier to come into this country legally and harder to come illegally. Our country was founded on the principles of freedom and opportunity for all citizens, and I stand ready to work with my colleagues to create a system that makes sense.

Securing our borders should be at the heart of our national security strategy. Although we are in an era where common sense legislation too often gets caught up in partisan gridlock, this is not an issue we can afford to delay on any further. The American people have called on Congress repeatedly to act to secure our borders, and the Democratic Leadership should listen to them.

A newspaper reporter once asked Sam Rayburn, “Mr. Speaker, you see probably a hundred people a day. You tell each one ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ or ‘Maybe.’ You are never seen taking notes on what you told them, but I have never heard of you forgetting anything you have promised them. What is your secret?”

Rayburn carefully eyed his questioner and replied, “If you tell the truth the first time,” he replied, “you don’t have to remember.”

These words of the famous Texas Speaker who served for 48 years in Congress remind me of the importance of honesty, especially when walking up and down the halls of Congress. If all Members of Congress acted honestly and honorably, they would never need to cover their tracks.

For example, in an unprecedented move last week on the House floor, Democrats illegally maneuvered to reverse the outcome of a vote that would have blocked them from granting taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants. The vote which occurred late one night passed 215-213 in favor of the Republican motion to stop undocumented immigrants from receiving housing and benefits. However, a Democrat member from New York, who was presiding in the chair at the time, did not read the official vote tally, but upon a signal from his leaders, announced that the motion had failed. In the chaos that followed, three Democrats were strong armed into switching their vote so the official tally became 212-216.

These are the kinds of corrupt political tactics that people back in Texas are sick of seeing in Washington. The constituents of the 31st District elected me to represent them and fight to prevent their hard-earned tax dollars from being spent on benefits for illegal aliens. We won the fight last week, both Republicans and Democrats voted in favor of saving American taxpayer dollars, but Nancy Pelosi and her liberal allies maneuvered the vote illegally so that you, the American taxpayer, is now responsible for paying for benefits to illegal aliens.

I have long fought to secure our borders and punish those who would breach the security of our nation by coming into America illegally. This vote does nothing except encourage more illegal aliens to come to America, and why wouldn’t they, because taxpaying Americans will be picking up the check.

By illegally switching a vote that had already been won against their favor, the Democratic leadership has proven that they will go to any lengths to ensure that illegal immigrants take precedence when it comes to your money. Please know, that as your Congressman I will continue to fight on behalf of the good people of Central Texas to make sure this wrong is rectified.

Last week the United States Senate effectively stopped the infamous Ted Kennedy immigration bill by a vote of 46-53. This bill would have granted blanket amnesty to millions of illegal and undocumented aliens while doing nothing to secure our borders or protect American citizens from the threat of terrorism. While this was a Senate bill, and I serve in the House, I repeatedly expressed my deep concerns with the Democrats’ plan for immigration reform. In fact, the House Republicans passed a resolution in our conference meeting opposing the Senate bill just days before it was finally stopped.

The defeat of the Senate immigration bill is a victory for those who want real change in our immigration system and real security along our borders - but defeating this poorly crafted legislation was only half the battle. Now is the time for Congress to stop playing politics and debate real reform. This issue is bigger than sound bytes and campaign commercials – this is a national security issue. Too many of my colleagues - mostly Republicans, but a few Democrats as well - are determined to see change in the way folks immigrate to America and how we ensure homeland security.

No matter how you slice it, the many overlapping facets of immigration reform cannot begin without first securing the border and enforcing the laws already on the books. Not addressing the source of the problem makes all other efforts pointless.

I am afraid the Democratic-led Congress is now poised to use the failed Senate bill as an excuse to do nothing while more illegal aliens cross our borders. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrat leaders have suggested that they will not approach the issue of immigration unless the Senate does so first. This makes absolutely no sense. When you see a hole in your roof, do you wait for someone else to get the tools? This is passing the political buck at its worst.

This Democratic Congress can boast of few achievements since taking power seven months ago. And yet on the one issue where the American people demand action, the Democrats show no will to address this crisis. There are many proposed solutions for immigration reform, but all members of Congress can agree that we must protect our borders and document those already within our nation. The urgency of the situation should be the starting point and the reason for bringing all parties to the table. But conservative, security-minded members of Congress are still waiting for the invitation. Right now the status quo may serve the interests of Speaker Pelosi and her Party, but every day we delay increases our national security risk.

I am determined that in the coming months pressure from Republicans and conservative Democrats can force House leadership to address this issue. At some point, we must pass a comprehensive immigration plan, but the first step is securing the border, enforcing the laws already on the books, and devising a way to document those already in America. The price for failing to act will be dire for our long-term security, social service systems, and the rule of law.

President Ronald Reagan, referencing the shining city on the hill in his farewell address to the nation, said, “And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.” I share the belief that many come to America pursuing the American Dream. We must deal with these individuals with compassion and fairness. But if we cannot protect our own citizens by securing the border, then how can we ever protect those coming here legally in pursuit of a better life? And as an elected district judge for over 20 years, I must insist that we enforce our laws. We must not grant amnesty to individuals who have broken our laws.

The rule of law is a powerful principle which should mean something to all Americans – present and future. Now is the time to act, and in a manner that will ensure peace and security for future generations. I stand ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and I will continue to push for swift action and tough immigration reform.

Border security and immigration issues have dominated debate in Washington, D.C. and the country alike. This is one of the most important issues facing our country right now, and I have been a strong advocate for an “enforcement first” approach.
Members in the House, understanding the urgency of this issue, took swift action on border security last year. In December, we passed comprehensive legislation that takes important steps to prevent illegal immigration, hold lawbreakers accountable, and protect American citizens. Currently, the Senate is debating the issue of border security and immigration in hopes of passing legislation in the next several weeks. I have serious concerns about the Senate’s proposal, and believe that it sends the wrong message to our citizens. Once the Senate passes an immigration bill, a panel of House and Senate negotiators will work together on a compromise border security bill.