National Journal Online

The Corner

By David Freddoso

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

 

A staffer in the know sends an update on the discharge petition for the SAVE border enforcement bill sponsored by Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.). The political shennanigans continue as Shuler and other Democrats go out of their way to mischaracterize the situation.

The number (signing the petition) has gone up slightly...to 175 Republicans and 10 Democrats.  Shuler told his local rotary club that the reason it wouldn't get the 218 signatures is because Republicans won't sign on -- ha!

Just to clarify, the bill has 49 Democratic co-sponsors, and only ten Democratic signers of the discharge petition. The petition needs 218 signatures to put the bill on the floor against the will of the House leadership.

Freshman Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.), who will not sign, has a particularly cynical approach to explaining his position -- just lie and try to confuse people:

Altmire said in CQ yesterday that he wouldn't sign a discharge petition on the SAVE Act because Republicans are pushing amnesty and he wants to see the SAVE Act have a vote -- again, not following that logic.

Specifically, here's the relevant CQ excerpt:

For incumbents such as Altmire, though, there is an additional challenge: the need at some point to match rhetoric with action. Signing a discharge petition on the Shuler bill might accomplish that, but Altmire has nevertheless decided against it, because he doesn't trust Republicans-- who, as the filers of the petition, would assume control over floor debate on the bill if they discharge it -- to be as enforcement-minded as they profess.

"Every time the Republicans have had the chance to deal with the issue, they bring amnesty to the table," he said. "For me, it's very simple: I want to see [Shuler's bill] on the floor, I want to see us address immigration in a way that secures the border. . . . I've been clear with my position, and I think the people are happy with where I am."

This article originally appeared at the following link:

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MjliZTNkNmUxMzIxM2I5YWI4M2NiNGFjOWZjOWUxYmE=