Immigration and Anti-Abortion Response From My Congressman
I wrote my congressman on the important issue of illegal immigration and also on my stance against abortion. Today I received his favorable response. It's important to express your opinion to your legislator so that they can vote the will of the people. In this case, my congressman states he believes as I do. I thought I would post it for you to review, it's lengthy, but it's my post! :)
Dear Mr. Stephens:
Thank you for contacting me about immigration issues and the sanctity of life. I appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
As a member of the Immigration Reform Caucus, I voted for H.R. 4437 the Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act (the Act). This bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 239 -
182 on December 16, 2005. With the Act, Congress took an important step to protect out nation from the threat of terrorists exploiting our porous borders to enter our country. This legislation will require the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of all ports of entry and enhance surveillance along the U.S. - Mexican border while re-establishing respect for immigration laws. The Act proves that we can continue supporting legal immigration and secure our borders.
In addition, I am cosponsoring an important new piece of legislation, the TRUE Enforcement and Border Security Act. This bill provides for a border fence along our entire southern border with Mexico, modeled after the highly successful San Diego border fence. The legislation also increases the number of law enforcement officials tasked with apprehending and investigating illegal immigrants and reports of illegal immigrants.
Our country was founded by immigrants, and the American dream is a very strong incentive to someone looking to make a better life. But the porous nature of our borders creates a very dangerous situation that is taken advantage of by terrorists, drug smugglers and human traffickers, all of whom exploit the open border to enter our country. The TRUE Enforcement and Border Security Act is a necessary step we must take toward strengthening our borders.
This legislation, introduced by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), chairman of the House Armed
Services Committee, also:
Forces the Department of Homeland Security to fully implement the computerized entry-exit system, which allows us to track who's crossing our borders; Denies birthright citizenship to children born to illegal immigrants; Fights abuse of the system by stopping illegal immigrants from collecting Social Security; Stops employer tax deductions for wages paid to illegal immigrants;
Immigration reform has become one of the most important issues facing Congress today. But an initiative recently discussed by President Bush runs contrary to putting the country's security first. The President's proposal focuses on an amnesty program and makes mention of security as a compliment to that program. Under the President's program, illegal immigrants would receive amnesty for three years at which time they would have to leave the country.
With all due respect to the President, we send the wrong message by granting amnesty to illegal immigrants. Any immigration reforms must first focus on security and strengthening our borders. Our national security is too important to be considered a secondary part of immigration reform.
In addition to the TRUE Enforcement and Border Security Act, I also cosponsored the following bills which like the TRUE Act seek to secure our borders and control illegal immigration:
H.R. 418, the Real ID/Border Security Act of 2005. This legislation passed the House of Representatives on February 10, 2005, by a vote of 261 to 161. The bill establishes rigorous proof of identity for all drivers' license applicants, and requires states to verify immigration status before issuing drivers' licenses. It also contains provisions that will expedite the completion of a border security fence at San Diego, one of our most heavily trafficked sections of the U.S.-Mexico border.
H.R. 925, the Identity Integrity Act of 2005. Prohibits federal agencies from accepting, for any official purpose (such as boarding a plane), an identification document for an individual issued by a foreign government, other than a passport. The bill prohibits the use of consular IDs for federal identification purposes.
H.R. 1219, the Security and Fairness Enhancement for America/SAFE Act of 2005. Abolishes the visa lottery program. This bill's provisions were included in the Border Protection, antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act which, as noted above, has passed the House of Representatives.
I was also a strong supporter of Congressman Goode's amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. His amendment, which passed the House of Representatives, authorizes the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the armed forces to assist in border protection. I also voted for the Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. This legislation authorizes 2,000 more border patrol agents. This Act also authorizes $40,000,000 to help state and local law enforcement officials enforce federal immigration laws. We must ensure that the federal government's failure to secure our borders does not adversely affect state and local governments, either by burdening their law enforcement agencies or compelling them to pay benefits to illegal aliens.
As a Christian, a U.S. Representative and a proud member of the House of Representatives Pro-Life Caucus, I have a responsibility to ensure that the federal government protects and defends an individual's right to life, especially for those who cannot defend themselves, including the unborn, terminally ill and elderly.
In July of 2005, I signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 552, the Right to Life Act. The bill would define "human being" to encompass all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization or cloning, and would guarantee all human beings the right to life.
On April 27, 2005, the House passed H.R.748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, of which I was an original cosponsor. The bill would prohibit transporting a minor across a State line to obtain an abortion in order to circumvent parental notification laws in the minor's home State. I am also an original cosponsor of H.R. 356, the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, which would require an abortion provider to ensure that any woman seeking an abortion is fully aware of the pain their unborn child will experience.
While stem cell research has great potential for curing diseases, the eagerness for scientific discovery must not supersede our duty to protect the unborn. In light of that, I voted against H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which would allocate federal dollars for human embryonic stem cell research. I was an original cosponsor of H.R. 2520, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005. Unlike H.R. 810, H.R. 2520 would provide for the collection and maintenance of stem cells originating from human cord blood only, which does not require the destruction of human embryos, for the treatment of patients and research. H.R. 2520 was supported by National Right to Life, Focus on the Family and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to name only a few. This bill became public law on December 20, 2005.
I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 1357, the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, which would impose criminal and civil penalties for performing or attempting to perform human cloning, and for shipping, receiving, or importing embryos or any product derived from an embryo for the purpose of human cloning.
I appreciate your support and devotion to this issue. Rest assured, I am 100 percent Pro-Life and look forward to continuing to vote on the House floor in line with my beliefs.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views with me on these important issues. Please do not hesitate to contact me with additional comments or concerns on these or any other issue before Congress.
Sincerely,
Geoff Davis
Member of Congress
Dear Mr. Stephens:
Thank you for contacting me about immigration issues and the sanctity of life. I appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
As a member of the Immigration Reform Caucus, I voted for H.R. 4437 the Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act (the Act). This bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 239 -
182 on December 16, 2005. With the Act, Congress took an important step to protect out nation from the threat of terrorists exploiting our porous borders to enter our country. This legislation will require the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of all ports of entry and enhance surveillance along the U.S. - Mexican border while re-establishing respect for immigration laws. The Act proves that we can continue supporting legal immigration and secure our borders.
In addition, I am cosponsoring an important new piece of legislation, the TRUE Enforcement and Border Security Act. This bill provides for a border fence along our entire southern border with Mexico, modeled after the highly successful San Diego border fence. The legislation also increases the number of law enforcement officials tasked with apprehending and investigating illegal immigrants and reports of illegal immigrants.
Our country was founded by immigrants, and the American dream is a very strong incentive to someone looking to make a better life. But the porous nature of our borders creates a very dangerous situation that is taken advantage of by terrorists, drug smugglers and human traffickers, all of whom exploit the open border to enter our country. The TRUE Enforcement and Border Security Act is a necessary step we must take toward strengthening our borders.
This legislation, introduced by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), chairman of the House Armed
Services Committee, also:
Forces the Department of Homeland Security to fully implement the computerized entry-exit system, which allows us to track who's crossing our borders; Denies birthright citizenship to children born to illegal immigrants; Fights abuse of the system by stopping illegal immigrants from collecting Social Security; Stops employer tax deductions for wages paid to illegal immigrants;
Immigration reform has become one of the most important issues facing Congress today. But an initiative recently discussed by President Bush runs contrary to putting the country's security first. The President's proposal focuses on an amnesty program and makes mention of security as a compliment to that program. Under the President's program, illegal immigrants would receive amnesty for three years at which time they would have to leave the country.
With all due respect to the President, we send the wrong message by granting amnesty to illegal immigrants. Any immigration reforms must first focus on security and strengthening our borders. Our national security is too important to be considered a secondary part of immigration reform.
In addition to the TRUE Enforcement and Border Security Act, I also cosponsored the following bills which like the TRUE Act seek to secure our borders and control illegal immigration:
H.R. 418, the Real ID/Border Security Act of 2005. This legislation passed the House of Representatives on February 10, 2005, by a vote of 261 to 161. The bill establishes rigorous proof of identity for all drivers' license applicants, and requires states to verify immigration status before issuing drivers' licenses. It also contains provisions that will expedite the completion of a border security fence at San Diego, one of our most heavily trafficked sections of the U.S.-Mexico border.
H.R. 925, the Identity Integrity Act of 2005. Prohibits federal agencies from accepting, for any official purpose (such as boarding a plane), an identification document for an individual issued by a foreign government, other than a passport. The bill prohibits the use of consular IDs for federal identification purposes.
H.R. 1219, the Security and Fairness Enhancement for America/SAFE Act of 2005. Abolishes the visa lottery program. This bill's provisions were included in the Border Protection, antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act which, as noted above, has passed the House of Representatives.
I was also a strong supporter of Congressman Goode's amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. His amendment, which passed the House of Representatives, authorizes the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the armed forces to assist in border protection. I also voted for the Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. This legislation authorizes 2,000 more border patrol agents. This Act also authorizes $40,000,000 to help state and local law enforcement officials enforce federal immigration laws. We must ensure that the federal government's failure to secure our borders does not adversely affect state and local governments, either by burdening their law enforcement agencies or compelling them to pay benefits to illegal aliens.
As a Christian, a U.S. Representative and a proud member of the House of Representatives Pro-Life Caucus, I have a responsibility to ensure that the federal government protects and defends an individual's right to life, especially for those who cannot defend themselves, including the unborn, terminally ill and elderly.
In July of 2005, I signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 552, the Right to Life Act. The bill would define "human being" to encompass all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization or cloning, and would guarantee all human beings the right to life.
On April 27, 2005, the House passed H.R.748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, of which I was an original cosponsor. The bill would prohibit transporting a minor across a State line to obtain an abortion in order to circumvent parental notification laws in the minor's home State. I am also an original cosponsor of H.R. 356, the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, which would require an abortion provider to ensure that any woman seeking an abortion is fully aware of the pain their unborn child will experience.
While stem cell research has great potential for curing diseases, the eagerness for scientific discovery must not supersede our duty to protect the unborn. In light of that, I voted against H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which would allocate federal dollars for human embryonic stem cell research. I was an original cosponsor of H.R. 2520, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005. Unlike H.R. 810, H.R. 2520 would provide for the collection and maintenance of stem cells originating from human cord blood only, which does not require the destruction of human embryos, for the treatment of patients and research. H.R. 2520 was supported by National Right to Life, Focus on the Family and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to name only a few. This bill became public law on December 20, 2005.
I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 1357, the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, which would impose criminal and civil penalties for performing or attempting to perform human cloning, and for shipping, receiving, or importing embryos or any product derived from an embryo for the purpose of human cloning.
I appreciate your support and devotion to this issue. Rest assured, I am 100 percent Pro-Life and look forward to continuing to vote on the House floor in line with my beliefs.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views with me on these important issues. Please do not hesitate to contact me with additional comments or concerns on these or any other issue before Congress.
Sincerely,
Geoff Davis
Member of Congress
posted by Troy at 2:48 PM
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