Democrats Holding Spending Bill Hostage Over DACA
Real, actual news that isn’t about Oprah.
While everyone is gushing over Oprah Winfrey, the Democrats in D.C. can hide the fact that they’re holding the spending bill hostage over the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program.
Before Christmas, Congress passed a short term spending bill to keep the government running until January 19. The Democrats have made it clear they want full legalization of DACA recipients while Republicans have mentioned a wall and actual reforms to our immigration system.
Byron York describes it perfectly at The Washington Examiner (emphasis mine):
That’s where funding the government comes in. A temporary funding resolution passed last month expires on Jan. 19. Congress can pass a “clean” bill to avoid a partial shutdown, or it can have a fight if one party tries to attach unrelated policy preferences to the must-pass spending bill.
That is the traditional Republican role, which has led Republicans to believe that they always lose shutdown fights. But it is probably more accurate to say that Republicans don’t always lose shutdown fights — it is the party that tries to attach unrelated policy preferences to must-pass spending bills that loses shutdown fights. In the past, that has been Republicans. This time, it might be Democrats.
The Democrats have pounced and insisted on DACA legalization in exchange for their support to keep the government funded. You know, something that is not remotely connected to keeping the government afloat.
DACA Through Congress
Ever since President Donald Trump came into office, the Democrats have all of a sudden cared about the Constitution. I find this hilarious, especially concerning DACA since that came to fruition via a memo from the Department of Homeland Security.
Last September, Trump said DACA will end in March if Congress cannot come to an agreement. In other words, Trump sent DACA where it should have started in the first place: Congress. This is too difficult for the Constitution-loving Democrats. Everything must be by the Constitution except this.
In October, Trump even said that he will extend the deadline if Congress cannot get its act together and pass something. The Washington Post reported at the time:
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said Trump told him he was willing to “give it some more time” to allow lawmakers to find a solution for “dreamers,” unauthorized immigrants brought to this country as children, if Congress does not pass legislation extending protections before time is up.
“The president’s comment to me was that, ‘We put a six-month deadline out there. Let’s work it out. If we can’t get it worked out in six months, we’ll give it some more time, but we’ve got to get this worked out legislatively,’ ” Lankford said outside a town hall here Thursday night.
Trump did not specify how long an extension might last, Lankford said.
“He wants a legislative solution,” the senator said. “His focus was, ‘We’ve got to get a legislative solution.’”
As Kemberlee noted in her post, Republicans aren’t against those in DACA. They do not approve of the way the program came about. DACA is not a law or even an Executive Order. It’s a memo from DHS.
The Real Bullies?
Democrats have enjoyed painting Republicans as bullies in Congress, but their actions concerning DACA and the spending bill shows America they are the actual bullies. I actually prefer to call them toddlers.
Why is that? They said they would support a spending bill if it includes legalizing DACA recipients. The Republicans and Trump have said okay, as long as it also includes funding for a wall and immigration reforms.
Like toddlers, the Democrats have stomped their feet and cried because they did not fully get their way. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin has taken the reigns as the biggest crybaby. From Politico:
“President Trump has said he may need a good government shutdown to get his wall. With this demand, he seems to be heading in that direction,” Durbin said in a statement. “It’s outrageous that the White House would undercut months of bipartisan efforts by again trying to put its entire wish list of hardline anti-immigrant bills — plus an additional $18 billion in wall funding — on the backs of these young people.”
Excuse me, Dick? Do you have a mirror nearby because the Democrats are the ones who have said they won’t support a spending bill unless they get their way.
Also, Dick, Trump didn’t even bring up the wall in this round of government shutdown negotiations until the Democrats demanded DACA citizenship. York explained (emphasis mine):
But Trump, who in the past has threatened a government shutdown over the wall, is now proposing trading his policy preferences — the wall, etc. — in exchange for DACA legalization. “The wall is going to happen, or we’re not going to have DACA,” he said recently. He hasn’t demanded they be passed in order to keep the government running. Durbin is suggesting Democrats demand DACA passage to keep the government in business.
It’s a losing strategy. Democrats could have pursued it when government funding came up in December. But when push came to shove, they didn’t. Now, will they try for real?
So no, the Republicans are not at fault here. They’re holding government spending hostage over DACA.
York mentioned a few avenues the Democrats and Republicans could take like maybe a down payment on the wall for around $1.6 million:
Can Trump get what he wants, or part of what he wants? At the moment, Democrats seem determined to throw their bodies in front of any plan to build a wall. The president has asked Congress to put aside $18 billion over the next ten years for the job. That seems doomed.
But what about some other idea? What about passing a down payment — the House has already approved $1.6 billion — as part of another plan?
“One possibility would be a relatively modest down payment that Democrats could swallow,” said the GOP lawmaker, “and then authorization for a user-fee model for future years. So a fee for visas or border crossings could be turned into a dedicated revenue stream for wall construction.” (That would, by the way, mean that, yes, Mexico pays for the wall, or at least a significant part of it.)
But the fact remains if there is a shut down, it will fall on the Democrats shoulders.
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Comments
Now that’s odd, because just a few weeks ago they avoided this same fight. It’s almost like they know that something has changed…
HA HA!
The yolk’s on DEM!
Majority of Americans would love to shut down the Federal Government – almost all of it, almost permanently!
DACA is CA……..
Some interesting thoughts about the “DACA full of it Democrats”…..
“DACA is the one issue that splits many Trump supporters. I for one think that ending Chain Migration and going to a Merit Based Immigration System will have benefits for not only our country but more importantly the Republican Party…”
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/950830512716869633.html
There should be NO amnesty. Period. It’s a horrible idea.
I am an immigrant myself, and I do believe that many of these dreamers deserve the opportunity to stay. I personally know some of them.
But a blanket amnesty is a horrible idea that would allow criminals to stay, and would encourage a never ending influx of illegals.
Why not apply the law?
Let the immigration courts decide each case individually on their merits or lack thereof. Just make sure to set the bar high enough, and to put the interests of the United States first. Of course, people with criminal records need not apply.
It sure was a horror movie last time!
One Hollyweird can’t even come close to producing on film.
There is no way to tell when people came in. If there is amnesty for any it will mean amnesty for all. Just say no! If people speak english that can help them move towards the front of the line. That’s the best deal we should give.
Both parties are to blame for these “funding” fights. The budget is supposed to be set by 30 Sep. These CRs have gotten to be downright ridiculous. No company could or would operate this way. We haven’t had a budget passed since 2008. If Republiscams in Congress are serious about governing in a better way, they need to get back to their primary job of setting an annual budget before appropriations expire.
“If Republiscams in Congress are serious about governing in a better way…”
That made me laugh…
Personally, I think a government shutdown is a great idea–send em all home and pass a bill outlawing back pay for .gov employees. See how quickly that tune changes.
More terminological sleight-of-hand.
We know about the the D’rats attempts to substitute “immigrant” for “illegal”; old hat, but they’re still doing it. They think that “oh that Trump, he’s just anti-immigrant …” sounds much better than “he’s opposed to illegal invaders.”
Now we’re seeing more of this trick. “Legalizing” DACA types is the biggie. The Republicans—who would doubtless rather surrender than fight, as usual—would like to pass off “legalizing” as something like “resident alien”; i.e., not subject to deportation. But when the D’rats say “legalizing” they mean “amnesty”; i.e., full citizenship, voting rights, chain immigration, the whole deal. And that won’t work for people who think these illegals were dealt a pretty crummy hand, and don’t think they should be sent back to a country they may never even remember seeing. You don’t need an “amnesty” to accomplish that. So the D’rats will continue to lie about it. For them, it’s full voting citizenship, or … well, hell, they might as well not bother.
“…And that won’t work for people who think these illegals were dealt a pretty crummy hand, and don’t think they should be sent back to a country they may never even remember seeing…”
You don’t know how immigration, even legal immigration, works, do you?
What language do you think these kids spoke at home? That is, if they came here really young and with their parents. Do you imagine that their parents magically became English speakers once they illegally entered the United States?
Of course, a lot of these “dreamers” left home entirely of their own volition. Or do you imagine the concept of a runaway is only an American concept? Not when you look at what they’re running away from.
And where do you think these kids live when they get here? A Leave-it-to-Beaver type whitebread suburb?
The vast majority of these “dreamers” would be uncomfortable living anywhere except in the enclaves they got together with others from the same country to build. To resemble as much as possible the country they left.
They’d be more comfortable in El Salvador than Wichita.
Trump holds the winning hand here. Dems will try to sell any failure to pass a funding bill or resolution as the fault of Trump and the Republicans. However, Trump has already seriously undermined that meme by publicly stating that he would sign a bill legalizing DACA registrants as long as he receives partial funding for the wall and an end to chain migration. So, it is all on the Dems. They can save the DACA people by simply agreeing to Trump’s highly reasonable conditions. Or they can refuse and shut down the government. Either way, it is entirely their responsibility and they will own it.
Given the current situation and the upcoming midterms, the Republicans are unlikely to cave to the Dems on this point. They could pass the bill with a DACA amnesty, but Trump would veto it. If that happened, it is unlikely that enough Republicans would join the Dems to override the veto. If they did, they run the risk of angering their constituency. And when Republicans are angry with their elected representative, they tend to stay home for elections. This opens the door to not only the Republicans losing control of Congress, but providing the Dems with another super majority. Every decision made in 3018 HAS to viewed in the light of how the individual member’s constituency will view that decision. It is probably time to invest in Novartis stock, as Maalox should be flying off the shelves in DC.
Trump should tell the Dems that he will be at Maralago and when they feel like opening the government again to let him know. If they want to die on the battlefield for a bunch of crybabies that have no legal right to be here, then go for it. Most of the country is not for total amnesty. Almost half of them cannot speak English. 4% have graduated from a college and less than 50% have graduated from high school. So where exactly how are they going to be building our nation’s future? Pelosi and Schummer make it sound like these brilliant(?) young people are America’s future. God help us if they are!
The Democrats just might be stupid enough to walk right into this trap, we can only hope.
There is noting like a nice long protracted Government Shutdown to put the swamp on Auto Drain starting with DOJ. I direct your attention to the period of the early 80s and how effective the Republicans were with the shutdown option. Do not believe all that you may read about that period either as 3FakeNews is not new.
Look closely at the picture. See the person behind UpChuck’s right shoulder. That is Senator Patty Murray, Genius of the Senate.
Now about the part of your comment that reads, “Just might be stupid enough…”. Do you need to ask?
Shut it down. No back pay. Save $$$. The commies will lose all the way around.
Please Fix the Title more correct would be:
“An illegal alien Under Every Seat” Says Democrats/Oprah
Prior to any DACA illegal immigration amnesty extension we need to trim the pool of illegals down with deportations.
U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary
October 3, 2017
Statement of Jessica M. Vaughan
Director of Policy Studies
Center for Immigration Studies
https://cis.org/Testimony/Oversight-Administrations-Decision-End-Deferred-Action-Childhood-Arrivals
Characteristics of DACA Recipients
To date Gonzales has published only a few of the findings, but together with other information that has been disclosed by USCIS, his results suggest that the DACA population spans the full spectrum of educational achievement and socio-economic status. Among the findings:
73 percent of DACA recipients he surveyed live in a low-income household (defined as qualifying for free lunch in high school);
22 percent have earned a degree from a four-year college or university;
21 percent have dropped out of high school;
20 percent have no education beyond high school and no plans to attend college;
Low Eligibility Standards Mean Criminals Received DACA
The implementation of DACA prevented the removal of thousands of aliens who were in deportation proceedings at the time. According to ICE records, in the first six months that DACA was operating, there were 4,594 people who had been in removal proceedings, but who instead received DACA benefits.8 There is a strong likelihood that many of these individuals had criminal convictions in order for them to be in deportation proceedings under Obama administration policies. In some instances, Obama appointees at DHS headquarters exerted pressure on field office enforcement personnel to drop deportation proceedings for aliens seeking DACA benefits, even in cases where the deportation case was based on state criminal convictions
So what happens? Will this poorly educated low skilled government dependent group of illegal immigrants be forgiven their illegal entry & illicit activities and be subject to the rigorous demands of the normal immigration process which most will fail and be denied any sort of status? I doubt it. I seriously doubt it.
We are being asked once again for another blanket amnesty.
No. Enforce the existing immigration laws. Prosecute the companies that employ illegals and go after not only the human traffickers but also the numerous organizations that facilitate and finance illegal immigration.
Sweep the sanctuary cities and start deporting in meaningful numbers beginning with those with criminal records and outstanding warrants.
Build the wall.
Commission a multi-year study to examine the failures of past immigration laws and enforcement. Then hold hearings in both houses, after awhile create a few reports. When that is done check the status of the Wall and immigration enforcement maybe after that POTUS can address the nation on the progress and suggest a course of action.
No AMNESTY FOR DACA ILLEGALS!
Notice that while the Democrats love to say DACA beneficiaries are serving in the military, you don’t even have a category for that. There’s a reason for this. According to the Pentagon there are 900 DACA beneficiaries in uniform. As I understand it there are 800000 DACA beneficiaries. That means that .001% of DACA beneficiaries in the service, which effectively rounds up to 0%.
Speaking of those in the armed forces, they’re not getting paid either. Are we going to include them in the “no back pay” legislation? And while the government is shut down they’re going to have the toughest time of any “federal employee” putting food on the table. They don’t get the same lavish pay and benefits packages other federal employees (I can’t bring myself to call the civilians “workers”) get.
It seems to me this is part of the winning hand. The GOP needs to point out how the Democrats hate America and Americans so much they are willing to sacrifice national security to favor illegal aliens.
There are so few DACA illegals in the military, with number 900 as you note that it is seldom mentioned seriously. As more than 70 percent of DACA illegals are dependent on government housing and supplemental income the case for their naturalization is very weak.
Gosh.
Boy, it would be fun if we could just say OK!
We ain’t spending anything atall then.
Non-essentials can hang it up, and go home, no chance of re-hire.
But, that is the problem with a Government shut-down….
They keep opening back up.
Nothing personal, but representatives and Senators count phone calls. If you’re not calling your congressman, posting here is not gonna help.
If you don’t know who your congressman is, and this includes those if you in democrat districts and states, then go to NumbersUSA.org and sign up. They will use your address to tell you who your reps are and how to contact them.
The bill to build a fence in 2006 came about because of the absolute hue and cry of voters calling Congress constantly after Bush tried to get an amnesty passed. The phones were ringing off the hook. It is time for another 2006 tidal wave of phone calls.
How are D’s able to hold up a Budget Bill?
Simple Majority needed to pass, if you get a CBO score showing it will reduce the deficit, and we hold both the House and Senate.
R’s ought to be able to pass this bill with ZERO D votes.
Now, if they add DACA to it, then it would need 60 vote cloture in the Senate. For Amnesty. That should NEVER be possible with 51 R Senators.
Good. A shutdown will make it easier to identify noncritical employees and subsequent RIF. Who says demo are obstructionists?
Rudy is spot on – when seniors stop getting their social security check just tell them it’s because the Dems are making a stand for foreigners.
Use MS13 in the ads.
There are a number of aspects of this whole “dreamer” hagiography that make me call bullshit.
First of all the Dems act as if the “dreamers” were all brought in as infants on their mothers’ backs, or at least toddlers holding their parents hands.
All they have to be are minors. They could have been 17 y.o. and came here entirely on their own. They could have been 12 and came here entirely of their own volition.
Second, the Dems act as if sending the “dreamers” back would be monumentally heartless. We are told they don’t even speak the language of the old country, and all they know is America.
My dad and aunts and uncles were born here. But it isn’t like my grandparents magically became English speakers when they got off the boat from Italy. My dad and his brothers and sister only spoke Italian until they went to school and learned English (no ESL, either, it was sink or swim). And they still spoke Italian at home or else their parents couldn’t understand them.
Now I’m supposed to believe that if people come here illegally from south of the border it’s any different? Cross the Rio Grande and they become Shakespearean actors? B.S., they speak Spanish or, considering so many are OTMs, whatever language they brought with them. And their kids grew up speaking those languages, too. And they barely know America as they all live in their barrios and ghettos. Seriously, if you’re here illegally from China are you going to move into a white suburb where you’ll stick out like a sore thumb? No, you’re heading to Chinatown where you’ll blend in.
You could send the “dreamers” back and they’d feel right at home.
Re: DACA, this excerpt from http://www.trevorloudon.com/2018/01/on-behalf-of-the-middle-class-an-eight-count-indictment-against-democrats-republicans-and-crony-corporate-interests/ (recommend that you read it in its entirety):
But we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that the Progressives / Democrats have cynically manufactured the “heart rending” case in the form of the so-called “dreamers” – because had our border been secured after the 1980’s amnesty deal, as the American people were promised, those “dreamers” wouldn’t be here in the first place! The Progressives pulled a scam, always intending to make the presence of masses of illegal immigrants here a fait accompli leading to mass amnesty. If the “dreamers” have a beef with someone, it is with La Raza and the Democrat Party and Progressives in general for using them as pawns in a great game to illegally import a Democrat voting bloc. The Progressives / Democrats are responsible for the “dreamers’” plight; the American people owe nothing to those trespassers.