OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

The Secure Fence Act Of 2006

Date: Sept. 29, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Immigration


THE SECURE FENCE ACT OF 2006 -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 29, 2006)

SPEECH OF HON. BETTY McCOLLUM OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2006

* Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6061. This bill will not improve U.S. national security and will clearly not provide for meaningful immigration reform.

* I voted against the construction of a fence spanning our entire southern border in December, when the House unfortunately passed H.R. 4437, the Border Security Act of 2005. It is disappointing that the Republican leadership has chosen to spend the time debating a provision that has already passed the House, rather than go to conference and pass comprehensive immigration reform that will protect American workers and secure our borders. This House should be addressing issues like raising the minimum wage, providing health care and quality education to every child in America, and ensuring that our State and local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to keep our streets safe. Not re-hashing a border fence provision that has already been voted on in the last 12 months.

* Once again, I strongly believe that Congress needs to work to secure our borders and ensure the safety of our citizens. However, this bill is inadequate and clearly will not begin to address the complicated issues regarding immigration reform. Even the small effort authorized in this bill--a 700-mile fence along our southern border with Mexico--is not fully funded. Nor does this legislation contain the resources necessary to increase the number of border security agents. This is nothing other than an election year ploy to use a serious issue that affects workers, immigrants, and our communities as a scare tactic.

* America deserves immigration reform that will work. The Republicans have had months to appoint a conference committee and work out the differences between the President's approach and the bills put forward by the House and Senate. Clearly, the majority is not truly interested in solving this problem.

* I hope my colleagues will oppose this bill and will join me in urging Republicans to get serious about this issue and to focus more on the security of this country then the security of their jobs.

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