Will Bush Veto the Fence Bill? (1 Viewer)

[Rogue]

President Bush has not yet signed the 700 mile Secure Fence Act!

That signing ceremony he held last Wednesday in Arizona, it turns out, was only for a Homeland Security appropriations bill that included "$1.2 billion for border fencing." It wasn't the Secure Fence Act.

We're approaching pocket veto territory here, aren't we? Under the Constitution Bush has 10 days to sign the bill into law--a deadline that would seem to be rapidly approaching. ...

 

[Napoleon's Nightingale]

I'd like to take the time out to discuss the funding of the wall first. A lot of politicians, not just Democrats, voted against the funding bill for three reasons:

1. The amount appropriated in the bill was only $1.2 billion which is $10.8 billion less than the estimated cost to build the wall.

2. The bill would have to be renewed every year for the next 10 years and the wall would be built at a rate of only 58.34 miles per year for the next 10 years.

3. There was no "who", "when", or "where" mentioned in the bill.

That is simply unacceptable which is why it was given a big fat "NO" by many politicians. They knew that if the bill passed the Republicans could claim they were doing something about illegal immigration without acctually accomplishing anything at all. If the Republicans were so bent on stopping illegal immigration and acctually building this wall then they would have appropriated all of the money at once, named the contractors, named the exact date the project would begin, and point out exactly where the wall would be built in that bill. Instead, they made the bill extremely vague and made it a must-be-renewed every year for 10 years political stunt so they could claim they did something about illegal immigration while voting against the renewal of this same bill in the years to come.

Now, about the Pocket Veto. The term "pocket veto", in this instance, is very misleading since the bills which are kept on the President's desk longer than 10 days automatically become law as long as Congress doesn't adjourn before the 10 days are over. Personally, I think the Topiary-In-Chief is just being lazy. If he pulls a pocket veto then it will cost the Republicans dearly in the congressional election next month.

 

[Rogue]

I'd like to take the time out to discuss the funding of the wall first. A lot of politicians, not just Democrats, voted against the funding bill for three reasons:

1. The amount appropriated in the bill was only $1.2 billion which is $10.8 billion less than the estimated cost to build the wall.

2. The bill would have to be renewed every year for the next 10 years and the wall would be built at a rate of only 58.34 miles per year for the next 10 years.

3. There was no "who", "when", or "where" mentioned in the bill.

That is simply unacceptable which is why it was given a big fat "NO" by many politicians. They knew that if the bill passed the Republicans could claim they were doing something about illegal immigration without acctually accomplishing anything at all. If the Republicans were so bent on stopping illegal immigration and acctually building this wall then they would have appropriated all of the money at once, named the contractors, named the exact date the project would begin, and point out exactly where the wall would be built in that bill. Instead, they made the bill extremely vague and made it a must-be-renewed every year for 10 years political stunt so they could claim they did something about illegal immigration while voting against the renewal of this same bill in the years to come.

Now, about the Pocket Veto. The term "pocket veto", in this instance, is very misleading since the bills which are kept on the President's desk longer than 10 days automatically become law as long as Congress doesn't adjourn before the 10 days are over. Personally, I think the Topiary-In-Chief is just being lazy. If he pulls a pocket veto then it will cost the Republicans dearly in the congressional election next month.

I started this thread back before I even realized that Congress hadn't sent this bill to the President.

Your comments are a very insightful analysis of this situation. Much of what you say depends on the status quo staying about the same. It seems though that Americans are becoming increasing fed up and more aware with what is happening in America regarding illegal immigration. More and more pressure is being put on Congress and the WH by VOTERS to solve the illegal immigration crisis.

Some current estimates of what it would cost to build this fence are about 6 billion. This is what taxpayers are currently paying for illegal immigrants from social services, education, and incarceration EVERY MONTH.

The only solution that is ever going to solve the illegal alien invasion crisis is to crack down on employers who hire illegals. If the jobs magnet dries up then illegals will have no choice but to go home of their own accord. It would take a lot of intense pressure on Bush to make him start enforcing existing immigration laws. If he won't do it, then we will have to wait on the next President. One who has promised in his campaign promises to enforce existing immigration laws in order to get elected.

 

[shuamort]

I think he should veto the bill. It's such a stop gap reactionary solution to a bigger problem. The first thing the country needs is an amendment blocking illegal immigrants from any type of governmental aid.

 

[Rogue]

I think he should veto the bill. It's such a stop gap reactionary solution to a bigger problem. The first thing the country needs is an amendment blocking illegal immigrants from any type of governmental aid.

Well, of course he signed the bill this morning. This fence bill was the only bone we got from Congress. Some doubt if it will ever be built, with Bush as President, and particularly if Pelosi becomes Speaker.

Homeland Security has confirmed that Hezbolla terrorists have crossed over the southern border into this country. What to do.

 

[hipsterdufus]

Well, of course he signed the bill this morning. This fence bill was the only bone we got from Congress. Some doubt if it will ever be built, with Bush as President, and particularly if Pelosi becomes Speaker.

Homeland Security has confirmed that Hezbolla terrorists have crossed over the southern border into this country. What to do.

A 700 mile fence solves nothing. It's a waste of taxpayer money.

 

[Rogue]

A 700 mile fence solves nothing. It's a waste of taxpayer money.

Well, many don't think that the fence will ever be built, but just for the sake of argument lets say it did get built and fast forward to that point where it has been built. Now you're saying that this 700 mile fence with cameras and other surveillance features along with about 5000 more border patrol agents will solve nothing? Will it slow them down any? Will it help secure the border against terrorists? This fence that will cost just a little more that what we spend on illegal aliens for social services, education, and incarceration, EACH AND EVERY MONTH is a waste of taxpayer money? Looks like if it works, and I don't see how it can't be a big help, it should begin to pay for itself IMMEDIATELY. The fence won't keep all illegals out but it's a good first start.

What is really going to have to happen though, is to start cracking down on employers who break the law and hire illegals. When we dry up the jobs magnet that is drawing illegals here in the first place, illegals will have no choice but to go back home, and those that aren't here yet will choose not the come in the first place.

 

[jon8105]

What is really going to have to happen though, is to start cracking down on employers who break the law and hire illegals. When we dry up the jobs magnet that is drawing illegals here in the first place, illegals will have no choice but to go back home, and those that aren't here yet will choose not the come in the first place.

I agree 100%. However, the government has known about this for a long time, so what is taking so long for them to come up with a Bill, Act (or whatever) to stop these employers?!? That to me is just as important as the Fence Bill, because if the illegal immigrants have a dificult time getting a job then maybe it will not be as beneficial to them to come to the US!!

 

[americanwoman]

I just think with the election looming they aren't trying to take any chances to piss anyone off. They can put the bill on the line to please the anti-illegal crowd. Then they are going to not sign it to please the pro-illegal crowd. They are playing politics with this and nothing more.

 

[Rogue]

I just think with the election looming they aren't trying to take any chances to piss anyone off. They can put the bill on the line to please the anti-illegal crowd. Then they are going to not sign it to please the pro-illegal crowd. They are playing politics with this and nothing more.

Bush reluctantly signed the bill last Thursday. Some Repubicans say that the fence will be built because it's mandated. Others say that unless funds are appropriated to build the fence, it won't get built.

Currently, Homeland Security has 60 days to come up with a plan to build the fence, or loose 930 million in appropriations.