Democrats Voted Against Stronger Requirements For Participation In Legalization/Guest Worker Program:

23 Senate Democrats Voted Against An Amendment To The 2006 Immigration Bill That Would Have Added An Additional Application Fee On Immigrants Who Want To Begin The Legalization Process. (S. 2611, CQ Vote #134: Adopted 64-32: R 45-8; D 19-23; I 0-1, 5/18/06)

41 Senate Democrats Voted For An Amendment That Allowed Individuals To Apply For Legal Residence Status Without An Employer To Attest To Their Forthcoming Employment. (S. 2611, CQ Vote #129: Adopted 56-43: R 14-41; D 41-2; I 1-0, 5/18/06)

• 39 Senate Democrats Voted Against An Amendment Requiring Temporary Workers Applying For Employment-Based Visas To Have Been Employed For Four Years; Have An Employer Attest They Will Be Employed; And Requiring The Secretary Of Labor Certify That No American Worker Was Available For The Job. (S. 2611, CQ Vote #128: Adopted 50-48: R 47-8; D 3-39; I 0-1, 5/17/06)

Democrats Voted To Make It Easier For Illegal Aliens Who Commit Crimes:

In 1995, 150 House Democrats Voted To Cut $30 Million From The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, Which Provides Grants To Reimburse States For The Cost Of Incarcerating Illegal Aliens Who Commit Serious Crimes. (H.R. 2076, CQ Vote #572: Rejected 171-256: R 20-209; D 150-47; I 1-0, 7/26/95)

In 2005, 145 House Democrats Voted Against Adding Five Years To Any Sentence For Violent Crime Or Drug-Trafficking When The Offender Is An Illegal Alien. It would add 15 years to a sentence if the alien had previously been deported for criminal offenses and has re-entered the U.S. (H.R. 1279, CQ Vote #165: Adopted 266-159: R 215-13; D 51-145; I 0-1, 5/11/05)

In 1996, 39 Senate Democrats Voted Against A Provision Of The 1996 Immigration Bill That “Would Make It Easier To Turn Away Foreigners Who Arrive With Fraudulent Or No Documents And Who Seek Political Asylum …” (S. 1664, CQ Vote #100: Adopted 51-49: R 12-41; D 39-8, 5/1/96)

DEMS OPPOSED: Key Border Security Measures:

17 Senate And 131 House Democrats Voted Against A Bill Creating A 700-Mile Fence Along The Southwest Border. (H.R. 6061, CQ Vote #262: Passed 80-19: R 54-1; D 26-17; I 0-1, 9/29/06; H.R. 6061, CQ Vote #446: Passed 283-138: R 219-6; D 64-131; I 0-1, 9/14/06)

134 House Democrats Voted Against A Bill To Increase Immigration Law Enforcement. The bill would “set new procedures to expedite lawsuits against the government involving immigration law, requiring the Justice Department hire more attorneys to prosecute human smuggling cases, and clarifying that state and local law enforcement agencies have the authority to investigate and apprehend illegal immigrants.” (H.R. 6095, CQ Vote #468: Passed 277-140: R 215-5; D 62-134; I 0-1, 9/21/06) 

91 House Democrats Voted Against A Bill Setting Conditions By Which Illegal Immigrants May Be Detained Indefinitely Pending Deportation; Barred Admission Into The U.S. For Gang Members; And Allowed Alien Members Of Some Gangs To Be Automatically Eligible For Deportation. (H.R. 6094, CQ Vote #465: Passed 328-95: R 222-4; D 105-91; I 1-0, 9/21/06)

When GOP Senators Proposed Increased Funding For Border Security, Senate Democrat Leader Dismissed It:

Sens. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) And John Cornyn (D-TX) Proposed:

• “$135 Million For 500 Additional Border Patrol Agents.
• “$46 Million For 1,300 Detention Beds.
• “$976 Million For Purchasing New Capital Equipment.
• “$400 Million For An Employee Verification System.
• “$1.8 Billion For Fencing And Vehicle Barriers.
• “$193 Million For The US VISIT Entry-Exit Program.
• “$100 Million For 800 Immigration And Customs Enforcement Agents.” (Michael Sandler, “Border Protection Proposal May Help Break Immigration Conference Stalemate,” CQ Today, 7/24/06)

“A Spokesman For Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Said The Proposal ‘Smacks Of Desperation’ And That Reid Was “Very Unlikely” To Support It.” (Michael Sandler, “Border Protection Proposal May Help Break Immigration Conference Stalemate,” CQ Today, 7/24/06)

House Democrats Voted Against The 2005 Border Security Bill:

164 House Democrats Voted Against Passage Of The 2005 House Border Security Bill. (H.R. 4437, CQ Vote #661: Passed 239-182: R 203-17; D 36-164; I 0-1, 12/16/05)

• The House Border Security Bill:

• Requires Employers To Confirm The Authenticity Of Social Security Numbers;
• Increases Penalties For Knowingly Hiring Or Employing Illegal Workers;
• Ends “Catch And Release” (Releasing Aliens Because Of Lack Of Detention Space);
• Establishes Physical Barriers At The Border;
• Increases Penalties For Alien Smuggling;
• Cracks Down On Alien Gang Members;
• Bars Alien Terrorists From Naturalization;
• And Increases Port Of Entry Inspectors. (Rep. James Sensenbrenner, “Reps. Sensenbrenner, King Hail House Passage Of Border Security, Immigration Bill,” Press Release, 12/16/05)

House Democrats Initially Voted Against The 2004 Intelligence Reform Bill, Which Increased Number Of Border Patrol Agents:

125 House Democrats Voted Against House Passage Of The Intelligence Reform Bill, Which Included A Provision That Called For Increasing The Number Of Border Patrol Agents From 10,000 To 20,000 Over Five Years. (H.R. 10, CQ Vote #523: Passed 282-134: R 213-8; D 69-125; I 0-1, 10/8/04)

• Eight Democrats Voted Against Final Passage Of The Bill. (S. 2845, CQ Vote #544: Adopted 336-75: R 152-67; D 183-8; I 1-0, 12/7/04)

House Democrats Initially Opposed 1996 Immigration Reform Bill:

117 Democrats Voted Against The Conference Report Of The 1996 Immigration Bill, Which Included An Increase In The Number Of Border Agents, Fences Along The California-Mexico Border, And Made It Easier To Deport And Detain Illegal Aliens. (H.R. 2202, CQ Vote #432: Adopted 305-123: R 229-5; D 76-117; I 0-1, 9/25/96)

• 13 House Democrats Voted Against A “Modified” Conference Report On The 1996 Immigration Bill. (H.R. 3610, CQ Vote #455: Adopted 370-37: R 202-24; D 167-13; I 1-0, 9/28/96)

House Democrats Voted Against Border Funding:

67 House Democrats Voted Against Final Passage Of The FY 2006 Homeland Security Spending Bill, Which Included $6 Billion For Customs And Border Protection. (H.R. 2360, CQ Vote #512: Adopted 347-70: R 223-2; D 124-67; I 0-1, 10/6/05)

House Democrats Voted Two Times Against The 2002 Reauthorization Of The Customs Service, Which Included $90 Million For Anti-Terrorist And Anti-Drug Equipment Along U.S. Borders. (H.R. 3129, CQ Vote #478: Motion Rejected 256-168: R 211-2; D 44-165; I 1-1, 12/6/01; H.R. 3129, CQ Vote #193: Passed 327-101: R 215-4; D 110-97; I 2-0, 5/22/02)

Senate Democrats Voted Against Border Funding:

42 Senate Democrats Voted Against Adding $4 Million In FY 2007 For Border Security By Shifting The Funds From The UN Human Rights Council. (S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #73: Rejected 50-50: R 48-7; D 2-42; I 0-1, 3/16/06)

35 Senate Democrats Voted Against Adding $1.9 Billion To The FY 2006 Supplemental Spending Bill For Border Control Stations, Vehicles, Aircraft, And Fencing. (H.R. 4939, CQ Vote #94: Adopted 59-39: R 52-3; D 7-35; I 0-1, 4/26/06)

• Democrats Did Vote For A $1.9 Billion Increase Without The Offsets. (H.R. 4939, CQ Vote #95: Rejected 44-54; R 2-53; D 41-1; I 1-0, 4/26/06)

41 Senate Democrats Voted Against An Amendment To The FY 2006 Spending Bill That Would Have Transferred $367.6 Million To Customs And Border Protection For 1,000 Additional Border Agents. (H.R. 2360, CQ Vote #179: Rejected 38-60: R 36-18; D 2-41; I 0-1, 7/14/05)

In 1998, Democrats Voted Against An Amendment To A Tobacco Bill That Increased Funding For Border Patrol. (S. 1415, CQ Vote #151: Adopted 52-46: R 52-2; D 0-44, 6/9/98)

In 1994, 51 Senate Democrats Also Voted Against A Plan To Shift $25 Billion Over Five Years From President Clinton’s “Investment Spending” To States To Defer The Cost Of Mandated Spending On Illegal Immigration. (S. Con. Res. 63, CQ Vote #80: Rejected 37-61: R 33-10; D 4-51, 3/25/94)

• A Year Later, Democrats Did Vote For An Amendment “To Require The Advisory Commission On Intergovernmental Relations To Develop A Plan For Reimbursing State And Local Governments For Costs Associated With … Illegal Immigrants.” (S. 1, CQ Vote #47: Motion Agreed To 58-40: R 49-2; D 9-38, 1/26/95)

In 1991, 52 Senate Democrats Voted Against Cutting $40 Million From The Salaries And Expense Accounts At Several Government Agencies And Using The Funds For The Border Patrol. (H.R. 2608, CQ Vote #164: Motion Agreed To 56-43: R 4-39; D 52-4, 7/31/91)

Democrats Voted Against Cutting Funding To “Sanctuary” Cities:

A Majority Of Democrats Voted At Least Two Times Against Prohibiting Funds To Illegal Immigrant ‘Sanctuary’ Cities. (H.R. 2555, CQ Vote #309: Rejected 102-322: R 102-122; D 0-199; I 0-1, 6/24/03; H.R. 2360, CQ Vote #177, Rejected 165-258: R 163-65; D 2-192; I 0-1, 5/17/05)

Democrats Opposed The Use Of U.S. Military At The Borders:

A Majority Of House Democrats Voted At Least 12 Times Against Allowing Military Personnel To Help DHS With Border Security. (H.R. 1119, CQ Vote #224: Adopted 269-119: R 192-8; D 77-110; I 0-1, 6/20/97; H.R. 1119, CQ Vote #368: Approved 261-150: R 191-20; D 70-129; I 0-1, 9/5/97; H.R. 3616, CQ Vote #180: Adopted 288-132: R 203-14; D 85-117; I 0-1, 5/21/98; H.R. 4300, CQ Vote #439: Rejected 167-256: R 21-201; D 145-55; I 1-0, 9/16/98; H.R. 4300, CQ Vote #440: Adopted 291-133: R 202-20; D 89-112; I  0-1, 9/16/98; H.R. 1401, CQ Vote #186: Adopted 242-181: R 179-38; D 63-142; I 0-1, 6/10/99; H.R. 4205, CQ Vote #197: Adopted 243-183: R 184-31; D 58-151; I 1-1, 5/18/00; H.R. 2586, CQ Vote #356: Adopted 242-173: R 191-25; D 50-147; I  1-1, 9/25/01; H.R. 4546, CQ Vote #154: Adopted 232-183: R 192-19; D 39-163; I  1-1, 5/10/02; H.R 1588, CQ Vote #206: Adopted 250-179: R 208-19; D  42-159; I 0-1, 5/21/03; H.R. 4200, CQ Vote #196: Adopted 231-191: R 200-20; D 31-170; I 0-1, 5/19/04; H.R. 1815, CQ Vote #214: Adopted 245-184: R 214-13; D 31-170; I 0-1, 5/25/05)

House Democrats Voted Against Provisions Designed To Help Businesses Identify Illegal Immigrants:

In 2003, 167 House Democrats Voted Against A Bill To “Extend Until 2008 A Pilot Program That Provides Participating Employers With Computers Software That Allows Them To Determine Whether New Hires Are Eligible To Work In The United States.” (H.R. 2359, CQ Vote #570: Motion Rejected 231-170: R 207-2; D 24-167; I 0-1, 10/28/03)

• 165 House Democrats Voted Against Passage Of The 2005 House Border Security Bill, Which Required Employers To Confirm The Authenticity Of Social Security Numbers And Increased Penalties For Knowingly Hiring Or Employing Illegal Workers. (H.R. 4437, CQ Vote #661: Passed 239-182: R 203-17; D 36-164; I 0-1, 12/16/05; Rep. James Sensenbrenner, “Reps. Sensenbrenner, King Hail House Passage Of Border Security, Immigration Bill,” Press Release, 12/16/05)

DEMOCRATS VOTED AGAINST DETENTION FACILITIES

House Democrats Voted To Cut Funding For Detention Facilities:

In 1999, 198 House Democrats Voted To Cut $44 Million For INS Detention Facilities. (H.R. 2670, CQ Vote #370: Adopted 242-178: R 43-173; D 198-5; I 1-0, 8/4/99) 

Senate Democrats Voted Against Funding For Detention Facilities:

In 2005, 37 Senate Democrats Voted Against Adding $200 Million To The FY 2006 Homeland Security Spending Bill For Detention Beds And Customs Enforcement Personnel. The funds would have been offset by a reduction in state and local programs. (H.R. 2360, CQ Vote #182: Rejected 42-56: R 35-19; D 6-37; I 1-0, 7/14/05)

In 1994, 36 Democrats Voted Against An Amendment To Shift $350 Million From The U.S. Contribution To The UN To U.S. States To Pay For The Incarceration Of Illegal Immigrants. (H.R. 4603, CQ Vote #226: Motion Rejected 44-52: R 8-34; D 36-18, 7/22/94)

A Majority Of House Democrats Have Consistently Voted Against A Border Fence:

In 2005, 146 House Democrats Voted Against Constructing A Fence Along The Southwest Border. (H.R. 4437, CQ Vote #640: Adopted 260-159: R 211-12; D 49-146; I 0-1, 12/15/05)

A Majority Of House Democrats Voted Against The Conference Report To The 1996 Immigration Bill, Which Installed Fences Along The California-Mexico Border (The Democrats Voted For A Revised Conference Reports That Included The Fence). (H.R. 2202, CQ Vote #432: Adopted 305-123: R 229-5; D 76-117; I 0-1, 9/25/96; H.R. 2202, CQ Vote #71: Rejected 120-291: R 4-223; D 116-67; I 0-1, 3/20/96; H.R. 3610, CQ Vote #455: Adopted 370-37: R 202-24; D 167-13; I 1-0, 9/28/96; Maria Puente, “GOP Retreats In A Compromise Immigration Bill,” USA Today, 9/30/96)

• In 2004, 153 House Democrats Voted Against Expediting Construction To Fill Two Gaps In The 14-Mile Barrier At The San Diego Border. (H.R. 10, CQ Vote #519: Adopted 256-160: R 215-6; D 41-153; I 0-1, 10/8/04)

• In 2005, 170 House Democrats Voted Against Completion Of The Fence. (H.R. 418, CQ Vote #29: Rejected 179-243: R 8-220; D 170-23; I 1-0, 2/10/05)

A Majority Of Senate Democrats Supported A Partial Fence Along The Southwest Border:

28 Senate Democrats Voted For Increased Fencing And Vehicle Barriers Along The Southwest Border. The amendment would require the construction of 370 miles of triple-layered fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers along that border within two years of enactment. (S. 2611, CQ Vote #126: Adopted 83-16: R 55-0; D 28-15; I 0-1, 5/17/06)

DEMOCRATS OPPOSE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY STANDARDS

House Democrats Voted Against English Proficiency Requirements:

In 1996, 156 House Democrats Voted Against Requiring “Immigrants Arriving Under The Diversity Immigrant Program And The Employment-Based Classification To Demonstrate English Proficiency By Taking A Standardized Test Administered By The Education Department.” (H.R. 2202, CQ Vote #78: Adopted 210-207: R 182-50; D 28-156; I 0-1, 3/20/96)

Senate Democrats Opposed English As The Official Language Of The U.S., Want To Require Government Workers To “Be Fluent In A Language Other Than English”:

33 Senate Democrats Voted Against An Amendment To The Senate Immigration Bill That Would Make English The “Official” Language Of The U.S. (S. 2611, CQ Vote #131: Adopted 62-35: R 52-1; D 10-33; I 0-1, 5/18/06)

• 39 Senate Democrats Even Voted For An Amendment That, Among Other Things, Would “[R]equire 25 Percent Of The Department Of Labor’s Investigators To Be Fluent In A Language Other Than English …” (S. 2611, CQ Vote #141: Motion Agreed To 57-40: R 54-0; D 3-39; I 0-1, 5/23/06)

Democrats Wanted Deportation Notices Written In Spanish:

In 1996, 34 Senate Democrats Voted For An Amendment To Require Deportation Notices Be Written In English And Spanish. (S. 1664, CQ Vote #98: Rejected 42-57: R 8-44; D 34-13, 4/30/96)

Democrats Opposed Voter ID Requirements:

In 2006, 43 Senate Democrats Voted Against An Amendment To “[R]equire All Voters To Present A Photo Identification At The Polls That Meets Federal Standards Under Current Law.” (S. 2611, CQ Vote #143: Motion Rejected 48-49: R 4-49; D 43-0; I 1-0, 5/24/06)

In 1998, 186 House Democrats Voted Against House Passage Of A Bill “[T]o Establish A Pilot Program In The Five Largest States, Under Which State And Local Officials Could Require Social Security Numbers From Voting Applicants.” The bill “[a]lso directs the Justice Department, in consultation with the Social Security Administration and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, to set up a system in which local officials could seek verification of the citizenship of those attempting to vote.” (H.R. 1428, CQ Vote #17: Motion Rejected 210-200: R 203-13; D 7-186; I 0-1, 2/12/98)

Democrats Opposed Real ID Act, Which Sets Drivers License Standards, Even Though They Supported A Measure In 1996 To Deny Licenses To Illegal Aliens:

152 House Democrats Voted Against The Real ID Act. (H.R. 418, CQ Vote #31: Passed 261-161: R 219-8; D 42-152; I 0-1, 2/10/05)

• When The Bill Was Later Included In A Supplemental Spending Bill Most Democrats Voted For It. (H.R. 1268, CQ Vote #161: Adopted 368-58: R 225-3; D 143-54; I 0-1, 5/5/05; H.R. 1268, CQ Vote #117: Adopted 100-0: R 55-0; D 44-0; I 1-0, 5/10/05)

 Chattanooga Times Free Press: “The Real ID Act sets minimum standards for every state to follow when issuing a license. This ensures that no one state can endanger the other 49 with weak standards.” (Editorial, “Sept. 11 Made Need For Greater Security Clear,” Chattanooga Times Free Press, 7/24/05)

• “Only U.S. Citizens Or Documented Legal Residents Would Be Permitted Driver’s Licenses.” (Michael Doyle, “Immigrants’ Licenses On The Line ‘Real ID’ Bill Likely To Pass House, Makes Driving Hinge On Legal Status,” Modesto Bee, 2/10/05)

 In Voting For The 1996 Immigration Bill, Democrats Voted To Give States The Right To Deny Illegal Aliens Driver’s Licenses. (H.R. 4278, CQ Vote #302: Passed 84-15: R 38-14; D 46-1, 9/30/96; H.R. 3610, CQ Vote #455: Adopted 370-37: R 202-24; D 167-13; I 1-0, 9/28/96; Maria Puente, “GOP Retreats In A Compromise Immigration Bill,” USA Today, 9/30/96)

Democrats Voted Against Driver’s License And Birth Certificate Standards In 1996:

In 1996, 34 Senate Democrats Voted Against An Amendment To “[P]rescribe National Standards For Birth Certificates And Driver’s Licenses.” (S. 1664, CQ Vote #101: Motion Agreed To 54-46: R 20-33; D 34-13, 5/1/96)

Democrats Wanted To Let Illegal Aliens Be Counted For Congressional Reapportionment:

A Majority Of Senate Democrats Voted Twice Voted Against Ban On Counting Illegal Aliens In Census Figures For Congressional Reapportionment. (S. 358, CQ Vote #114 Motion Rejected 41-58: R 8-37; D 33-21, 7/13/89; S. 358, CQ Vote #115: Motion Agreed To 56-43: R 37-8; D 19-35, 7/13/89)

DEMOCRATS SUPPORT GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, TAX BENEFITS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Democrats Voted To Allow Illegal Immigrants To Get Tax Benefits:

35 Senate Democrats Voted To Allow Illegal Immigrants Who Apply For Status Adjustment Under The Senate Immigration Bill To Collect Tax Refunds, The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Or Other Tax Benefits For Tax Years Prior To 2006. (S. 2611, CQ Vote #155: Adopted 50-47: R 43-11; D 7-35; I 0-1, 5/25/06)

• 38 Senate Democrats Voted To Allow Illegal Immigrants, Including Those Illegally Present In The United States Before Jan. 7, 2004 And Who Earn Legal Status Under The Senate Immigration Bill, To Claim The EITC Before They Gain Citizenship. (S. 2611, CQ Vote #154: Rejected 37-60: R 33-21; D 4-38; I 0-1, 5/25/06)

 Democrats Opposed A Plan To Allow States To Decide Whether To Provide Education To Illegal Immigrants:

In 1996, A Majority Of House Democrats Voted Two Times Against Giving States The Option To Deny Public Education To Illegal Aliens. (H.R. 2202, CQ Vote #75: Adopted 257-163: R 213-20; D 44-142; I 0-1, 3/20/96; H.R. 4134, CQ Vote #433: Passed 254-175: R 213-21; D 41-153; I 0-1, 9/25/96)

Democrats Supported Benefits For Illegal Immigrants:

In 1994, 172 House Democrats Voted Against An Amendment “[T]o Prohibit Illegal Immigrants From Receiving Benefits Under The Food And Shelter Program Of The Federal Emergency Management Agency …” (H.R. 3838, CQ Vote #348: Adopted 220-176: R 158-3; D 62-172; I 0-1, 7/22/94)

That Same Year, 248 House Democrats Voted To Allow Illegal Immigrants To Receive Funds From Housing And Urban Development Programs. (H.R. 4624, CQ Vote #310: Motion Agreed To 261-163: R 12-161; D 248-2; I 1-0, 6/29/94)

• 219 House Democrats Also Voted To Allow Illegal Immigrants To Receive Funds From Department Of Agriculture Programs. (H.R. 4554, CQ Vote #255: Motion Agreed To 232-146: R 12-146; D 219-0; I 1-0, 6/17/94)

 45 Senate Democrats Voted Against The 1995 Welfare Reform Legislation That Cut Benefits To Illegal Immigrants. (H.R. 4, CQ Vote #613: Adopted 52-47: R 51-2; D 1-45, 12/22/95)

House Democrats Voted Against Conference Report To The 1996 Immigration Reform Bill:

117 House Democrats Voted Against The Conference Report Of The 1996 Immigration Bill. (H.R. 2202, CQ Vote #432: Adopted 305-123: R 229-5; D 76-117; I 0-1, 9/25/96)

The Bill:

• Increased The Number Of Border Agents;
• Installed Fences Along The California-Mexico Border;
• Denied The Legal Immigrants Federal Benefits Under Means-Based Programs And Made People Who Use Them Deportable. (H.R. 2202, CQ Vote #432: Adopted 305-123: R 229-5; D 76-117; I 0-1, 9/25/96)

Conference Report Was Amended After It Got “Bogged Down” By Senate Democrats:

Bill Passed House After Compromise By Republicans. “The bill had cleared the House … 305 to 123, following an agreement by Republicans to delete its most controversial provision, an amendment allowing states to end free public education for illegal immigrant children.” (William Branigin, “Congress Finishes Major Legislation,” The Washington Post, 10/1/96)

• Bill Then Got “Bogged Down” In The Senate Because Of Democrat Objections. “[T]he bill bogged down in the Senate when the White House, prodded by Senate Democrats and various interest groups, objected to other key provisions that had been overshadowed by the education amendment. That amendment passed the House as a separate bill, but was effectively shelved in the Senate without coming to a vote on the floor.” (William Branigin, “Congress Finishes Major Legislation,” The Washington Post, 10/1/96)

“White House And Congressional Negotiators Carved Out An Agreement On Immigration After Three Days Of Nonstop Talks.” (Maria Puente, “GOP Retreats In A Compromise Immigration Bill,” USA Today, 9/30/96)

• “Dropped From The Bill Were A Provision Allowing Deportation Of Legal Immigrants Who Use Welfare; A Provision That Would Have Made It Virtually Impossible For Low-Income Americans To Sponsor Immigrants; And A Provision That Would Have Banned Federally Funded Treatment Of Both Illegal And Legal Immigrants With AIDS.” (Maria Puente, “GOP Retreats In A Compromise Immigration Bill,” USA Today, 9/30/96)

Final 1996 Immigration Legislation Was Passed As Part Of A Spending Bill:

House And Senate Overwhelmingly Voted For “Modified” Conference Report On The 1996 Immigration Bill. (H.R. 4278, CQ Vote #302: Passed 84-15: R 38-14; D 46-1, 9/30/96; H.R. 3610, CQ Vote #455: Adopted 370-37: R 202-24; D 167-13; I 1-0, 9/28/96)

Democrats Divided On Specifics Of Guest Worker Plan:

38 Senate Democrats Voted For The Senate Immigration Bill, Which Includes A Guest Worker Program. (S. 2611, CQ Vote #157: Passed 62-36: R 23-32; D 38-4; I 1-0, 5/25/06)

• But 21 Democrats Voted For And 22 Against An Amendment To The 2006 Immigration Bill That Would Limit The Eligibility For The Guest Worker Program To Illegal Immigrants Who’ve Been In The Country For Two To Five Years. (S. 2611, CQ Vote #123: Motion Agreed To 69-28: R 46-7; D 22-21; I 1-0, 5/16/06)

DNC Chair Howard Dean Says A Guest Worker Plan Is “Indentured Servitude”:

DNC Chair Howard Dean: “We don’t like guest-worker programs … I don’t like guest-worker programs. I think the president’s guest-worker program is essentially indentured servitude. It doesn’t help the immigrant, and it threatens wages.” (Ralph Z. Hallow, “Dean Calls The Border Top Priority,” The Washington Times, 4/20/06)

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) Opposes A Guest Worker Program:

Sen. Byron Dorgan: “[The] guest worker provision, in my judgment, will likely lead to 4.6 million additional people coming into this country who now live outside of the country.” (Sen. Byron Dorgan, Congressional Record, 3/30/06, p. S2578)

• Sen. Dorgan: “To suggest on top of dealing with the 11 million-plus guest worker program to bring 400,000 a year in with a 20-percent expansion program on top of that, I think it defies all common sense. This is clearly a corporate strategy to keep wages low.” (Sen. Byron Dorgan, Congressional Record, 3/30/06, p. S2579)

• Sen. Dorgan: “That giant sucking sound will be sucking 400,000 immigrant workers into this country each year at the bottom of the economic ladder to displace workers in this country.” (Sen. Byron Dorgan, Congressional Record, 3/30/06, p. S2579)

Democrats Believe They Will Benefit By Using Immigration As An Issue:

According To A National Journal “Political Insiders Poll,” 83 Percent Of Democrat Insiders Feel Their Party Will Benefit If Congress Fails To Pass Immigration Reform This Year. (Greg Pierce, “Inside Politics,” The Washington Times, 4/24/06)

Democrats Want An Issue, Not A Bill Because They Have No Plan Of Their Own:

The Weekly Standard’s Bill Kristol: “Chuck Schumer … told his colleagues he would prefer to have the issue [rather] than the bill.” (Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday,” 4/9/06)

·    “[T]he Democrats Were Dubious. … [I]t Didn’t Take Much Persuading When New York Senator Charles (Chuck) Schumer Reportedly Made The Case That The Failure To Get A Bill Would Be Good For The Democrats.” (Eleanor Clift, Op-Ed, “The Original Old-Fashioned Liberal,” Newsweek, 4/14/06)

DNC Chairman Howard Dean: “Right now it’s not our job to give out specifics.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” 11/13/05)

• Charles O. Jones, Professor Emeritus Of Political Science At The University Of Wisconsin In Madison: “If you’re going to run a national campaign [as the Republicans did in 1994] it’s helpful to have a message, not just ‘The other guys don’t know what they are doing.’ If Democrats are using that strategy, I haven’t heard that message yet.” (Adam Nagourney, “For Democrats, Lots Of Verses, But No Chorus,” The New York Times, 3/6/06)

• The New York Times: “Democrats say ... their policies lack detail in some respects ...” (Steven R. Weisman, “Democrats Opening Assault On Bush Security Policies,” The New York Times, 3/29/06)

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Killed Immigration Reform So He Could Use It As A Political Issue:

“[M]inority Leader Harry Reid Ditched His Republican Counterpart Bill Frist At The Altar … Blocking The Bi-Partisan Bill He Had Backed The Day Before.” (Massimo Calabresi, “Why The Immigration Deal Flopped,” Time.Com, 4/7/06)

“[Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)] Reportedly Remarked To A Colleague That He Didn’t Care Whether A Bill Passed Because Democrats Would Gain Three Senate Seats This Fall And Return To Construct An Immigration Bill As They Liked.” (Evans-Novak Political Report, 4/12/06)

“[R]eid And Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. ... Said They Did Not Want To Expose Rank-And-File Democrats To Votes That Would Force Them To Choose Between Border Security And Immigrant Rights ...” (Jennifer Loven, “Bush Blames Reid On Immigration Bill,” The Associated Press, 4/8/06)

“As The Head Of The Democratic Campaign Committee, Schumer Is Focused On Getting His Party Back Into Power In November.” (Eleanor Clift, Op-Ed, “The Original Old-Fashioned Liberal,” Newsweek, 4/14/06)

DNC Chair Howard Dean Flip-Flopped On Whether To Use Immigration As An Issue:

DNC Chair Howard Dean In 2005: “While the Republican Party seeks ways to exploit anti-immigrant sentiments for electoral gain, the Democrats have always valued this nation’s diversity and the contributions that immigrants have made in Texas and across the country.” (Democrat National Committee, “DNC: Why Won’t The White House Condemn Anti-Immigrant Vigilantism?,” Press Release, 8/12/05)

• Eight Months Later, “[DNC Chair Howard] Dean Said His Party Will Make Immigration An Issue As Part Of Its Strategy To ‘Nationalize’ The Fall Elections And Is Opening A Television Advertising Campaign ...” (Ralph Z. Hallow, “Dean Calls The Border Top Priority,” The Washington Times, 4/20/06)

Two Months After That, “The Head Of The Democratic Party Told The Nation’s Oldest Hispanic Rights Group … That Democrats Will Not Use Immigration To Divide The Country And Win In The Upcoming Midterm Elections.” (Emily Fredrix, “Dean Says Democrats Won’t Use Immigration,” The Associated Press, 6/28/06)

• DNC Chair Dean: “Immigrant bashing and scapegoating is wrong in order to win elections and we’re not going to do it.” (Emily Fredrix, “Dean Says Democrats Won’t Use Immigration,” The Associated Press, 6/28/06)

Democrats Voted Against The GOP Sensenbrenner Amendment, To Strike Language In House Immigration Bill That Would Make Illegal Entry Into U.S. A “Felony,” In Order To Use Issue:

191 House Democrats Voted Against The Sensenbrenner Amendment That Would Strike Language Increasing “[T]he Maximum Sentence For Illegal Presence Or Illegal Entry Into The United States ...” (H.R. 4437, CQ Vote #655: Rejected 164-257: R 156-65; D 8-191; I 0-1, 12/16/05)

• “[D]emocrats Had An Opportunity To Join With Republicans In Eliminating The Felony Provision From The Proposed Law – And Chose To Vote To Keep It In!” (John Podhoretz, Op-Ed, “Immigration Politics: Cynical Dems,” New York Post, 3/28/06) 

• “[The Democrats] Voted, In Other Words, To Keep The Language That Would Make Being An Illegal Alien A Felony.” (John Podhoretz, Op-Ed, “Immigration Politics: Cynical Dems,” New York Post, 3/28/06)

The Democrats Voted Against The Sensenbrenner Amendment “[B]ecause They Understood That, As The Bill Moved Closer To Becoming Law, They Could Use The Felony Provision As A Weapon Against Republicans.” (John Podhoretz, Op-Ed, “Immigration Politics: Cynical Dems,” New York Post, 3/28/06)