Speech #1090179806

Before we hand over even more authority to the BushCheney administration to create yet another opportunity for their crony contractors to rip off the American people. maybe we should actually conduct some oversight and demand some sorely needed accountability. Groups from all over this country. from all sectors of our society have weighed in against the building of this fence. From religious leaders to immigration advocates. from environmental organizations to trade associations. from womens rights organizations to academics. opposition to this lastminute. cobbledtogetherproposal is widespread. It is clear to me that the idea of turning our country into a fortress is an idea that many Americans view as contrary to our values and our heritage. and I will stand with them in opposition to this bill. The proposed footprint of this fence will trench through the sovereign territory of the Tohono Oodham Nation in Arizona. who will be precluded from any involvement in the project. Chairwoman Vivian JuanSanders of the Tohono Oodham Nation wrote Members of Congress urging legislators to rethink this proposal before we decide to significantly impair a fragile environment and a longdeveloped working relationship between the Oodham Nation and the United States government to improve border security. We would do well to listen to the concerns of those whom this bill will affect most. Secretary Chertoff has said the border fencing provisions contained in the Senates comprehensive immigration bill are what the department needs to secure our borders. During our debate on comprehensive immigration reform. Republican Senators held out Secretary Chertoffs desire for the 370 miles of fence as justification for supporting that amendment. Those same Senators who spoke so forcefully about the need for 370 miles of fencing now are saying we need more. nearly twice as much. It seems clear now that the arguments from those Senators meant very little. For those who fear that voting against this bill will allow them to be viewed as "soft" on national security. remember that this body already passed a bill that contained provisions for a border fence. along with many other significant security measures. The American people are smart enough to understand what is going on here. and I am confident that the American people are sick and tired of being scared into swallowing every irresponsible proposal put forth by this Republican Congress under the guise of national security. Yesterday. a majority of this body voted to erode key elements of our Constitution beyond recognition. and passed a bill that I am certain we will come to regret.