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

June 30, 2006

Dear Friends,

This week, the immigration reform debate continued this week off the Senate floor.  I held a press conference on Wednesday with Senator Chambliss and several other senators to urge our colleagues to recognize the critical importance of a ‘border-security-first’ approach to immigration reform.  We’ve had in this country for two centuries a pathway to citizenship, and it’s known as legal immigration. It’s absolutely essential that we restore the confidence of the American people, and we send the message to those that yearn to come to this country that there’s one way to get here and that one way is the legal route.  As long as you look the other way on our border, you’re going to have disrespect for legal immigration and a compounding of the problem we have today. Border security is the prerequisite for comprehensive immigration reform. Members of the House plan to hold hearings on the Senate immigration bill in July and August. The Senate bill includes a guest worker program. The House bill deals with border security only.  As we have said again and again, Senator Chambliss and I believe it is critical to secure the borders before implementing any temporary worker program. Otherwise, the United States will face a repeat of 1986, when amnesty was granted to 3 million illegal immigrants without enhancing border security first. The result was that millions more immigrants have flooded into the United States illegally and now are straining our schools, our hospitals and our local jails.

Also, the Senate came up one vote shy of adopting a constitutional amendment that would empower Congress to ban desecration of the American flag.  As a co-sponsor of the amendment, I am disappointed that the legislation failed.  Unlike some, I do not believe the flag is an inanimate object. I believe it’s a living symbol for which we have fought for over two centuries.  This amendment does nothing to prohibit the speech of anyone but everything to protect the flag from being desecrated. I think those brave men and women who died for this country would agree with that. I agree with that and I think the people of Georgia agree with that.

Also this week, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed legislation that includes $15 million for the deepening of the Brunswick Harbor channel, a project that is critical to the Brunswick port and to the entire state of Georgia.  The funds will be used to continue deepening the Brunswick Harbor from 30 feet to 36 feet, allowing the Port of Brunswick to accommodate larger cargo carriers and attract new business. The deepening of the harbor, along with the completion three years ago of the Sidney Lanier Bridge over the harbor,  is projected to bring $400 million annually in new sales, 1,000 new jobs and $15.8 million in additional tax revenue to Georgia. I am very pleased to see this crucial commitment to the Brunswick Harbor deepening project. It is one of the most important projects to our entire state and critical to the state’s economic future.  T hese funds will only help the Harbor improve its position as a gateway for business to Georgia.   The funds are part of the fiscal year 2007 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, which the Senate Appropriations Committee approved today. The bill now goes to the Senate floor for consideration.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

Next week, the Senate will be in recess as our nation celebrates the Independence Day holiday.  Please have a safe holiday and take a moment to say a prayer for our troops in harm’s way.  God Bless America.                                                     

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson