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What
245(i) ACTUALLY does
One-third opposes Section 245(i) extension See
Roll Call Vote
'House
panel rejects alien-amnesty rider'
By
Stephen Dinan
The Washington Times
May 15, 2002
The
House Appropriations Committee yesterday rejected an attempt
to add amnesty for some illegal immigrants to the supplemental
emergency spending bill.
But
the panel postponed until today a possibly bill-killing amendment
to direct $34 million to the U.N. Population Fund.
The
whole bill would spend $30 billion — about half of it for
military needs, and a quarter for domestic security and expenses
following September 11, including the final installment of
the president's promise of $20 billion to rebuild New York
City.
The
bill includes the first installment of election-reform money
to buy out punch-card voting machines, money for Pell Grants,
and $200 million for Israel and another $50 million for humanitarian
aid to Palestinians.
Those
provisions have wide approval, but a series of amendments
has slowed the bill's progress before the committee.
The
amnesty amendment lost on a 32-27 vote. It would have let
some people who entered the United States illegally or who
have overstayed their entry visas gain legal status while
they apply for a green card.
The
failed amendment also would have allowed, until Nov. 30, 2002,
applicants to stay while their residency application is pending
if they have a job or a qualifying family relationship.
Such
people currently have to return home and wait up to 10 years
before applying.
Proponents
said the amendment was a family values vote since it would
prevent families from being split during the process.
"These
are folks who are living here, working here or married with
families, but who under current law would have to leave the
country to apply," said Rep. Jose E. Serrano, New York Democrat.
But
opponents said it amounted to rewarding illegal aliens.
"It
is absolutely the wrong message to say if you can get in illegally,
we're going to give you an amnesty and you can stay," said
Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., Virginia independent.
Four
Republicans voted for the amendment and two Democrats voted
against it, as did Mr. Goode.
The
population fund vote centers on China's use of U.N. Population
Fund money.
In
a 32-31 vote Thursday, the committee passed an amendment that
says if President Bush certifies China does not use the fund's
money for forced abortions or sterilizations, he must release
$34 million in U.S. contributions to the U.N. fund.
But
Republican leaders now say this is unacceptable and are threatening
to kill the supplemental bill. Instead, they want an amendment
to say Mr. Bush may release up to $34 million, at his discretion.
"My
guess is if you don't fix it, you don't pass the supplemental
— it's a big deal," said House Majority Leader Dick Armey,
Texas Republican. "It is seen by a very large number of members
on both sides of the aisle as a pro-abortion provision" on
a spending bill.
On
legislation like this the House first must pass a resolution
with rules for debating and amending the spending bill, then
move on to the bill itself. Without a rule, the bill cannot
reach the floor.
But
Republican leadership aides said Democrats will probably vote
against the Republican-written rule on partisan principle.
They also expect some conservative Republicans to join the
Democrats as a way to defeat the population fund money.
Yesterday
afternoon Republican leaders were trying to find a compromise
that preserved the current law, which gives Mr. Bush leeway
to spend up to $34 million. Still, most Democrats on the committee,
joined by a handful of Republicans, were sticking by the original
amendment, according to spokesmen.
Mr.
Armey, who schedules legislation for the House floor, said
the spending bill will be up for a vote next week.
Senators in both parties said that doesn't give them enough
time to finish the bill before the Memorial Day recess, meaning
the bill may not get to the president's desk until two weeks
later.
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