Mr. Speaker. I introduced today a bill designed to correct a deplorable situation which is about to occur as a result of the apparent intention of the administration to place certain vital administrative functions in the field of national security and the issuance of passports and visas in the hands of totally unqualified political appointees. My bill proposes to amend that section of the Immigration and Nationality Act which created in the Department of State the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs entrusted with the administration of certain basic provisions of that law. The law states in plain language that the head of the Bureau shall be a person qualified by experience to conduct security and consular operations and that he shall be charged with any and all responsibility and authority in the administration of those parts of the Immigration and Nationality Act which under the terms of the law are conferred on the Secretary of State. Having outlined the requirements in those words. the law dispensed with the necessity of obtaining the advice and consent of the Senate in the appointment of the head of that important office. My bill is designed to provide for the advice and consent of the Senate while simultaneously changing the name of the office. defining its function in greater detail. and raising the status of its chief officer. It is my intention to press vigorously for early enactment of this amendment to the basic immigration and nationality code inasmuch as I believe that immediate remedy is necessary in order to prevent the deterioration of important executive functions exercised both in this country and abroad. According to press reports which appeared in several newspapers within the last 2 weeks. Mr.
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Immigration immigration visas