Speech #1010116538

Mr. Speaker. it is not often that I stand before this Chamber asking my colleagues to vote against the President on foreign policy issues. Nonetheless. today I have no choice but to urge Members to vote to override the Presidents veto of H.R. 2712. a bill to prevent the mandatory return of Chinese students to China once their J1 visas expire. This legislation is necessary because. without statutory protection. the fate of Chinese students is unclear. Clearly no one doubts President Bushs concern about protecting the 40.000 Chinese students currently residing in the United States. However. the reality is that the President only issued an administrative directive to the Immigration and Naturalization Service that can be withdrawn at any time. This action simply does not send a strong enough signal that the United States will not only protect the students. but will welcome those who choose to live in a country where freedom and democracy exist. In addition. the Chinese Government must understand that if they really want these students back. they must improve the political environmentincluding basic human rightsIn China before the students return.