But ya know what? I don’t give a flying flip!!
I originally wrote him, expressing my displeasure with the Gang of 8′s amnesty bill. You can call it what you want, but that’s what it is. He responded with this:
After thoroughly reviewing the committee-approved immigration bill, I worked to craft an amendment, along with Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.), that would secure our nation’s border in a dramatic way.
Last week, we introduced a 114-page amendment that establishes an unprecedented surge of security on our country’s southern border, implements tough interior enforcement to curb de facto amnesty, and helps prevent abuse of federal benefits.
The amendment has drawn support from a number of notable conservative voices in the immigration debate.
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer declared the Hoeven-Corker border security amendment a “victory for Arizona.” Fox News host Bill O’Reilly endorsed the Hoeven-Corker efforts, as did former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee.
In order to adjust to lawful Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) status, unlawful immigrants would be required to pay a fine, pass criminal and national security background checks, and pay taxes for 10 years while receiving no access to federal benefits. Even then, only after ALL FIVE “triggers” of the Hoeven-Corker amendment have been fully implemented AND at least 10 YEARS have passed can RPIs apply for a green card and be placed at the back of the line. This is not amnesty.
The Hoeven-Corker amendment contains five tangible, concrete triggers:
· An unprecedented surge of an additional 20,000 Border Patrol agents are deployed, maintained and stationed along the southern border, more than doubling the current force.
· The Comprehensive Southern Border Security Strategy is deployed and operational, which includes, at a minimum, full implementation and activation of the $4.5 billion in specific technology and equipment requested by the Border Patrol to achieve full surveillance of the border.
· The Southern Border Fencing Strategy has been implemented, and at least 700 miles of fencing has been completed along the southern border.
· The mandated electronic visa entry/exit system has been fully implemented at all air and sea ports of entry where U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers are currently deployed, which will improve the identification of those who overstay their visas.
· E-Verify is being used by all employers in the country, making it virtually impossible to work in the United States illegally.
In addition to the robust border security measures outlined above, the amendment strikes at the heart of our illegal immigration problem – the 40 percent of those who are unlawfully present after overstaying their visas but are not currently systemically removed. The amendment mandates the initiation of removal proceedings for AT LEAST 90 percent of visa overstays – holding the Department of Homeland Security accountable for failing to enforce the law.
Finally, the amendment puts tight restrictions on federal benefits to prevent fraud and abuse:
· No Social Security benefits for using fraudulent or false Social Security number while unlawfully present.
· No Medicaid, SCHIP or Obamacare benefits for non-immigrant visa holders.
· No federal loophole allowing states to grant benefits to those under RPI status.
Together, these provisions will secure the border, better enforce the law, and reduce illegal immigration.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Hoeven-Corker border security amendment “would significantly increase border security,” and “reduce both illegal entry into the country and the number of people who stay in the country beyond the end of their authorized period [visa overstays].”
The report also reiterates that the amended bill would achieve substantial deficit reduction of $157 billion over the first 10 years. More importantly for our country, CBO also found that immigration reform will fuel economic growth, increasing real GDP by 3.3% in the first decade and 5.4% by the end of the second decade.
This is the first time that I’ve had the opportunity to vote on a bill that spends $46 billion over 10 years, and, in the same period, returns $157 billion to the Treasury without raising taxes and while promoting economic growth. I don’t know of a business in America that wouldn’t relish that return on investment.
I recognize more improvements can and need to be made to strengthen the interior enforcement provisions of the legislation, and I hope the House of Representatives will address them in their version of an immigration bill.
For clarification of some common mischaracterizations of our amendment, review a Myth vs. Fact document here and watch a video of Republican political consultant and policy advisor Karl Rove, who dispelled a number of myths about the Hoeven-Corker border security amendment, here.
For more information on the Hoeven-Corker border security amendment, click here.
Thank you again for your letter. I hope that you will continue to share your thoughts with me.
Sincerely,
Bob Corker
United States SenatorImage may be NSFW.
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Well, you know that wasn’t gonna wash, so I had to respond to his response. Honestly, after doing more reading, and examination, of both the original bill, and this amendment, there is no doubt in my mind that the Senate, with a few exceptions, is nothing but a bunch of freakin’ criminals! Hence, my response to his response:
With all due respect sir, just whose side are you on? Are you on the side of the LEGAL citizens of the state of Tennessee, or have you thrown your hat in with the biggest weasels in the U.S. Senate, Harry Reid and the gangsters, aka gang of 8? Because honestly, I can’t tell.
You were sent to the Senate to represent the people of Tennessee, doing what is best for them. I was not aware that aiding and abetting criminals was in the best interest of TN, or the nation as a whole. It IS in the best interest of TN AND the nation to scrap this fiasco you people call a bill, including your Casino Kickback amendment, and start doing the job you were hired to do….secure the nation from invaders!
Do you know the actual name of the bill, S 744? Well, it’s not the Immigration Reform Bill that people in the media keep spouting. Nope! It’s actually called Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act of 2013.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
I chit you not!!!
Section 1a….’short title’…???? ‘Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act’. That’s a short title? What what the blazes does that have to do with Tibet??? Have you READ this bill? Has ANYONE in the Senate read it? It’s a F****** JOKE!
A piece of advice to Tennessee’s Senators… under NO circumstance, vote FOR this fiasco! Your NO vote MIGHT put you back in semi good standing with the folks of Tennessee! I repeat… MIGHT!
We have laws on the books. Here’s a novel concept: ENFORCE THE DAMN LAW! Screw Obama and all his damn criminal cronies. 100 men and women were sent to D.C. as Senators to keep this nation secure. DO YOUR DAMN JOB! Or find another one! It is NOT your job to protect criminals! THAT is a crime! Anyone who votes FOR this bill is a criminal, just like those who have invaded our country!
UPHOLD YOUR DAMN OATH!!!