House Lawmakers Clash Over Possible Border Security Bill

Thu. May 22, 2008


Members of the House Homeland Security Committee grappled at a hearing today with legislative proposals to improve the nation's border security but offered no signs that they are closing in on having a final bill. While hearing testimony from lawmakers who have introduced measures with border security provisions, House Homeland Security Border Subcommittee Chairwoman Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., said her panel plans to eventually produce a border security bill, but she offered no timeline for it. Lawmakers appeared divided over what provisions should be in the bill, signaling they still have much work to do. "In developing a strategy to secure our border and reduce illegal immigration, we must also create strategies and reforms to holistically address the important commercial, humanitarian and environmental issues involved in border security and immigration reform," Sanchez said. "Many of the agents on the front lines of our border have to consider combinations of these issues every day and it is our responsibility to make sure they have the adequate training and resources to do their job." House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson said the Homeland Security Department has not produced a comprehensive border security strategy. In the absence of such a strategy, he said lawmakers are debating competing bills.

But the hearing revealed an underlying political dispute that exposed jurisdictional challenges for the subcommittee. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., wanted to ask other lawmakers testifying at the hearing what they thought about giving amnesty to illegal immigrants. Sanchez stopped Bilirakis, saying the issue of amnesty is outside the committee's jurisdiction. Homeland Security Border Subcommittee ranking member Mark Souder, R-Ind., challenged Sanchez, arguing that U.S. immigration policy affects the conditions at the border. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., stepped into the fray. Lofgren wears two hats, serving as chairwoman of the House Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee. She said that subcommittee has been very careful not to intrude on the jurisdiction of the Border Subcommittee as it considers immigration-reform measures. "There's no need to worry that viewpoints will not be adequately addressed by the [Judiciary] subcommittee," she said. Tensions over the issue were still apparent after the hearing. "Funny how jurisdiction never stops them from holding hearings [and] issuing reports, but all of a sudden it's an issue when it comes to something they don't want to discuss," a GOP aide said.

by Chris Strohm