As Congress reconvenes in Washington this week lawmakers will begin their final session before breaking for elections. The republican leadership in the house has already established what their focus will be for these remaining 19 days and one key item seems to be missing, immigration. You remember immigration right, the hot-button issue that sparked protests across America and thrust itself into the forefront of American politics?
Well guess what, the same issue which has long been ignored by Washington is retaking its place at the back of the line. It appears as if Republicans have decided immigration is too volatile of a topic of discussion so close to the November elections. Despite the incessant calls last spring to fix the imminent immigration crisis in America, Congress is no closer to sending a bill to President Bush than Lebanon is to declaring itself a protectorate of Israel.
Rather than face the issue and open up an honest discussion in America, Republicans will instead go with their old standby, national security. Although national security remains the republican’s strongest issue it means absolutely nothing without a secure border. While the issue of national security has already kept Republicans in-charge of Washington for the past two elections, I fear they can only ride that horse for so long. If voters at all believe that Republicans look ineffective as leaders, watch out, you may see the Democrats slip back into power on Capitol Hill.
Quite frankly, the decision of the republican leadership to completely ignore the entire immigration issue has this columnist scratching his head. Was immigration not one of the most important issues facing America as said by countless members of Congress, a majority of who are Republican?
In the face of protests and pressure from even the Bush Administration both the House and Senate were able to pass bills on immigration reform. Those bills on the table differ greatly in their language and scope, yet, they’re still on the table and neither side has been willing to negotiate an agreement. Is the final 19 day session too short for grown and, supposedly, wise adults to come to a compromise? It would appear so.
Usually breaking such an impasse would fall to the President to handle, but being the way things are, no one facing reelection even wants so much as to have President Bush’s number on their phone bill. Nevertheless the situation affords an enormous opportunity for the taking. The party members who can step up, initiate and succeed with a compromise will be rewarded with praise and recognition. In the current situation, all you get are Republicans looking stationary and Democrats complaining about how much better they could be doing.
Republicans want to avoid answering tough questions during an election year, but if such an issue is so vital to America’s interests shouldn’t they at least mention it in passing? Of all the things you should avoid doing in an election year; inactivity is at the top of the list. The American people want to hear that at least something is being discussed. I’m sure the majority of Americans who would vote know that immigration isn’t an issue that lawmakers are going to agree on overnight, but an agreement is never going to happen with politicians sitting around worried about what everyone is going to think about them.
Americans overwhelmingly agree they want a secure border. They don’t want illegal immigrants in America, but they do want those willing to work here to have the ability to do so freely. Republicans need to set their position on the issue and take it to the people. Those voters who are against those principles aren’t going to vote for Republicans anyway. The GOP can meet the challenge of immigration reform and win the battle. But they must first be willing to do so. The Republican leadership needs to focus on being a proactive party willing to tackle the tough issues in America. These last 19 days of the current Congressional session will define the party for the next 2 years. Will they be a party of action, of the issues, and of the people? Or will they drag their feet, be unwilling to tackle any tough issue, and refuse to talk about anything? Only time will tell.
