-Caveat Lector-
From
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020321-401993.htm
}}}>Begin
The Washington Times
www.washtimes.com
Phones light up about alien amnesty bill
Audrey Hudson
THE WASHINGTON TIMES Published 3/21/2002
Senate offices are being inundated with calls and letters from angry constituents
urging a vote against a measure granting amnesty to hundreds of thousands of
illegal aliens, aides say.
"Our offices have been flooded with calls here in Washington and in our Colorado
offices," said Sean Conway, spokesman for Republican Sen. Wayne Allard.
"There are a lot of folks that are upset and saying they are opposed to it.
Clearly
it's been the issue du jour, which is surprising since campaign finance reform is up
for a final vote," Mr. Conway said.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Texas Republican, is receiving 50 to 100 calls a day
on the measure from constituents in her border state — all against it, her
spokeswoman said.
"It's not the same as impeachment, but it's above average for an issue," her
spokeswoman said.
The office of Sen. Sam Brownback, Kansas Republican and supporter of the
border security bill, has only received 15 calls this week, most in opposition, a
spokesman said.
In a press conference yesterday, Mr. Brownback said the Senate has the option
of passing one of two border security bills, one with and one without the amnesty
clause.
"America cannot wait for border security. We need a bill, either bill, to pass and
pass soon," Mr. Brownback said.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California Democrat, has received several hundred calls,
the majority of which opposed the amnesty measure, said spokesman Howard
Gantman.
A flood of calls came after the issue was highlighted on the Rush Limbaugh radio
show, Mr. Gantman said.
Mrs. Feinstein is a sponsor of the border safety bill, and believes it has a
better
chance of passage without the amnesty measure added by the House.
"It might slow the whole process down, and the border bill is urgently needed,"
Mr.
Gantman said.
One East Coast Republican office has received more than 200 phone calls and
100 letters — all opposed — since the measure contained in a border security bill
passed the House last week by one vote. Phones are also ringing off the hook in a
Republican Senator's office from the Southwest.
More than a dozen Senate offices representing different regions of the countries
were contacted by The Washington Times, but calls were only returned from
undecided members.
Staffers examined the mail and phone messages and determined "grass-roots"
lobbying is being generated by individual constituents, as opposed to "AstroTurf
lobbying" being generated by paid lobbyists inside the Beltway.
President Bush this week called on the Senate to pass the border security bill
with
the amnesty measure, but it is being blocked by Sen. Robert C. Byrd, West Virginia
Democrat.
"He urges that it come up under normal procedure, be debated, and amended,"
said Mr. Byrd's spokesman Tom Gavin.
As a matter of policy, Mr. Gavin said, the office does not discuss constituent
mail
or calls and would not relate what kind of support Mr. Byrd is receiving from his
constituents.
The House passed the measure just hours after it was learned the Immigration
and Naturalization Service (INS) issued student visas for two of the terrorists who
attackd America on September 11.
The amnesty measure would allow immigrants to pay $1,000 fees to stay in the
country while their residency applications are processed.
"Congress passing amendments at the same time the INS is demonstrating it is
incapable of issuing visas to the right people is what caused the phone banks to light
up on Capitol Hill," said David Rey, spokesman for the Federation for Immigration
Reform (FAIR).
Democrats in support of the measure are also getting a smattering of calls, but
not nearly the volume of their Republican colleagues.
The office of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, one of the bill's
sponsors, reported only 10 calls in the last couple of days — all from out of state and
against the measure.
Sen. Larry E. Craig, Utah Republican, is also getting calls but the numbers "are
not overwhelming at this point," said spokesman Mike Tracy.
However, callers are split over the issue that can affect farm workers, a key
matter in Western states.
"We have people who don't want to see anyone in the country illegally to get
amnesty, but by the same token we have family members of farm workers here.
Senator Craig is really torn on this issue but not on the fact that INS procedures need
restructuring," Mr. Tracy said.
• Amy Fagan contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2002 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Return to the article
End<{{{~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forwarded as information only; no endorsement to be presumed
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material
is distributed without charge or profit to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information
for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking
new landscapes but in having new eyes. -Marcel Proust
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe
simply because it has been handed down for many generations. Do not
believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do
not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not
believe in anything merely on the authority of Teachers, elders or wise men.
Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it
agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all.
Then accept it and live up to it."
The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutta
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
A merely fallen enemy may rise again, but the reconciled
one is truly vanquished. -Johann Christoph Schiller,
German Writer (1759-1805)
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that
prevents us from living freely and nobly. -Bertrand Russell
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Everyone has the right...to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media and regardless
of frontiers."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will
teach you to keep your mouth shut."
--- Ernest Hemingway
<A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A>
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic
screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are
sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis-
directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with
major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought.
That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and
always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no
credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html
<A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]</A>
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
<A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A>
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
