Speech #1040011889

Madam President. I want to speak for just a moment in support of the amendment offered by the distinguished senior Senator from Florida. Senator GRAHAM. dealing with the issue of immigration. I am proud to be a cosponsor of that amendment. I am proud to have worked with him on a number of immigration issues In the previous Congress. As a former Governor and attorney general. I have long had deep concerns for the excessive Federal mandates that have placed a terrible strain on State and local resources. I have felt firsthand the frustration that State and local government officials feel when Federal mandates require compliance. without regard to their own needs or financial priorities. The passage of both the immigration amendment and the unfunded mandate legislation will be an important step in restoring some of the confidence and trust in Congress that has been lost by State and local officials over the years. I feel strongly that the relationship between the Federal. State. and local governments must be Improved by limiting the level of financial and administrative burdens that Federal mandates Impose. My colleagues. Senators GLENN of Ohio and KEMPTHORNE of Idaho. both members of the Senate Government Affairs Committee. worked long and hard with State and local officials to fashion a bill that would gain a broad base of support in the Senate. One area. however. that has not been taken into account in the legislation before us is the impact upon our State and local governments of the Federal Governments immigration policy. or should I say lack of policy and enforcement. Senator GRAHAMS immigration amendment ensures that when the Senate is considering legislation containing a potential unfunded mandate in the area of Immigration policy. that a budget point of order will be raised. Although immigration policy is solely a Federal concern. States are required to provide emergency health care and education to undocumented immigrants who reside in our States. and pay for the costs of Incarcerating undocumented alien criminals. Last July I joined with Senator GRAHAM and others In approving funds to reimburse States for the costs associated with incarcerating illegal immigrants. Without more responsible action from the Federal Government on this issue. the States are fighting a losing battle and the lives of all our citizens are directly impacted. Our amendment last July and our amendment today should be sending a strong message to the Administration. to the INS. to the Justice Department and to the Congress: State and local governments will no longer pay for a failed Immigration Policy and Enforcement Program. A reformed immigration policy and greatly improved enforcement effort are long overdue. This is not an issue that will quietly go away. Not when the problem grows bigger every day.