A Weekly e-Newsletter from
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

March 31, 2006

Dear Friends,

This week the Senate debated several different immigration reform measures. I believe that the people of this country are looking to us to secure our borders for the homeland and for immigration, and we must secure them first before we do anything else.

On Thursday, I announced on the Senate floor that I am seeking to amend the immigration reform legislation currently being debated to prohibit implementation of any guest worker program until the Department of Homeland Security certifies in writing that U.S. borders are sealed and secured. Those reforms that involve temporary workers must only be implemented after certification by the Secretary of Homeland Security that our borders are secure. I offered the amendment this morning, and the Senate is expected to vote on it next week.

I also have introduced other amendments to beef up security along the U.S. borders that mirror the provisions of a border security bill I introduced on March 9. That bill, S.2394, provides increased manpower, equipment and technology to secure the U.S. border and stop the influx of illegal immigration, including a provision to provide more than $450 million to acquire and maintain a squadron of at least 25 unmanned aerial vehicles with high-tech sensors and satellite communication. This would allow coverage on the border by an unmanned vehicle 24 hours a day. I will fight as hard as I can to see to it that whatever passes this United States Senate first and foremost, requires the securing of our border before the extension of any guest workers or creation of any new guest worker program.

Last week, during the Senate recess, I visited a number of Georgia cities, including Gainesville, Peachtree City, Newnan, Thomasville and Tifton, meeting with constituents and speaking to several organizations there. I also attended a ‘Welcome Home the Troops’ celebration at Fort Benning, to thank our troops and their families just returning home for their sacrifices for our freedom here. In Augusta and Valdosta, I held Education Listening Sessions to hear concerns and questions from teachers, parents, administrators and students, so that I could take that information back with me to Washington to make our education system the best it can be for our youth.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

Next week, the Senate will continue debate on immigration legislation.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson