Villages of Woodland Springs Homeowners Association

TEXAS UNITED STATES SENATORS REPORT

Jun 06, 2007

Texas Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn pushed for action on vital amendments Wednesday as the U. S. Senate resumed consideration of the Kennedy immigration reform bill. Both Senators have stated they will not support the bill in its present form. Both are also working to remove the bill's most objectionable components.
Majority Leader Harry Reid stated Tuesday that Democratic leadership may attempt an early cutoff of debate on this far-reaching measure. Both Texas Senators pushed for prompt consideration perhaps as early as today on alternatives to key parts of the proposal.
Sen. Hutchison was assured her proposal to protect Social Security would be placed before the Senate shortly. Similarly, Sen. Cornyn received assurances his amendment barring felons from receiving benefits under this legislation would also receive a vote Wednesday morning. Both Senators contributed details on their measures:

From the Desk of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison:

The solvency of our Social Security system is of utmost importance. By 2017 the trust fund will begin paying out more in benefits than it receives in revenue, and the fund is forecast to be fully exhausted by 2041. It is imperative to make certain that credit for benefits into our Social Security system are not extended to those who were not lawfully present in the United States nor legally authorized to work in our country.
The bill now on the Senate floor allows for current undocumented workers to receive Social Security credits if they have a Social Security number. This could allow credits to be earned for time worked under illegal status by a worker who has overstayed a visa or was never authorized to enter or work in our country.
My amendment will save the Social Security system $28.2 billion a year in benefit windfalls that would otherwise be awarded to the estimated 4.8 million visa overstays in the country. This number represents 40% of a conservatively estimated 12 million illegal immigrants currently in the U.S.
Under the Hutchison Amendment, individuals who were authorized to work in the country will receive credit for their work, and individuals who were not authorized to work will not reap windfall benefits.

From the Desk of Sen. John Cornyn:

My first amendment permanently bars members of terrorist-related organizations, known gang members, sex offenders, alien smugglers who use firearms, and repeat drunk drivers and other felons from receiving immigration benefits under this bill. It also would ban anyone who has willfully violated a valid U.S. court order, either by absconding after being ordered deported, or by re-entering the U.S. after being deported.
At present, the bill allows known gang members even followers of the violent MS-13 gang that has infiltrated Houston and other cities to receive legalization if they simply sign a paper promising to leave the gang. The measure as written could also lead to benefits for convicted felons, even kidnappers and violent offenders.
With crime rates rising across the U.S., we must do everything possible to ensure that known repeat and serious criminal offenders are not legalized and awarded benefits under this legislation. We have always welcomed immigrants, but we cannot legalize those who have demonstrated they have no respect for our system of laws.
The bill managers accepted my amendment doubling to the amount of federal assistance to local law enforcement, such as border sheriffs, for immigration enforcement. Even so, I share the doubts I have heard from thousands of Texans about the equity and enforceability of this bill. I intend to oppose it unless it is dramatically improved.