Blame game stalls reform billImmigration legislation tangled up by lawmakers' finger-pointing The Post and Courier
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Rep. Jim Harrison is 'quite shocked' that senators didn't sign the immigration bill. 
Sen. Glenn McConnell says representatives 'are just hiding from the truth.' 
Gov. Mark Sanford says, 'Now is not the time for the House and Senate to be pointing fingers.' COLUMBIA — They blamed procedural moves and miscommunication, accused their colleagues of lying or going back on their word. They've skipped meetings, ducked votes, changed their stories. The state House and Senate say they want to pass immigration reform, but on Wednesday, they passed only the buck. As lawmakers on both sides of the Statehouse swore the immigration reform bill is still alive, both sides sat frozen Wednesday, each blaming the other for this legislative rigor mortis, drawing the ire of each other and the governor. Members of the House had said they would vote Wednesday on an immigration reform bill agreed to by a House-Senate conference but adjourned without taking action. House leaders blamed the Senate for not signing the agreement. "I'm quite shocked that the Senate conferees would refuse to sign the agreement we reached yesterday that would allow the House to vote on the issue and by doing so, possibly have this entire reform package killed by the actions of three senators," said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Harrison, R-Columbia. "If this happens, it will be the third year in a row the Senate has successfully kept illegal immigration reforms championed by the House from becoming law." Meanwhile, the Senate says the House is holding things up by refusing to put verification standards on private employers. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, says the House is just stalling because they're in "a political pickle." "They are just hiding from the truth," McConnell said. "I think they carried the water for the state Chamber of Commerce." The House says it is the Senate that is the puppet of the state Chamber. Much of this grousing is over one point in a bill that does a number of things. Some lawmakers want to check citizenship using the federal I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form, which critics say is flawed and does nothing to prevent companies from hiring illegal immigrants. Others want the more stringent requirements of E-Verify, a free online system offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that lets employers verify their worker's Social Security numbers. Its error rate draws detractors. House leaders swore they had the votes to pass the a bill that leaves the I-9 forms out. Senators said if they did, they would have taken a vote Wednesday. A 4 p.m. meeting between House and Senate conferees — three representatives of each chamber chosen to iron out differences between two versions of the bill — fell apart when senators accused House members of lying. The House representatives walked out. Gov. Mark Sanford, who rarely chimes in mid-process, issued a statement Wednesday afternoon trying to smack the Legislature into action. "We've come too far toward creating a meaningful immigration bill that contains strong workers verifications to let procedural maneuvering stop this bill's progress," Sanford said. "Now is not the time for the House and Senate to be pointing fingers at one another or walking away from the table." House Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island, says it's not a matter of simple election year concerns. "It's more of a matter of doing what you said you were going to do," Merrill said. Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com. Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 22 comment(s)
Posted by lillycollette on April 24, 2008 at 4:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ditto Harpo.
LMAO:
A 4 p.m. meeting between House and Senate conferees — three representatives of each chamber chosen to iron out differences between two versions of the bill — fell apart when senators accused House members of "lying". The House representatives walked out.
Posted by zoomru on April 24, 2008 at 4:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Brian, Yvonne....
I want to say you are getting warmer! The answer is to do both...AND MOVE ON!! What is needed is to reveal what is already agreed too before they sign squat! What are the other points in the bill and HOW ARE THEY WORDED!! These are lawyers .....pesky loopholers!
Posted by moonpie on April 24, 2008 at 6:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Use the e-verify. Employers already use the I-9 form and see what it has got us, millions of illegals. It doesn't require or help you verify the SS#. WE ARE tired of your pussyfooting around, pass something that in one swoop makes them leave SC one weekend!
Posted by Thomas1776 on April 24, 2008 at 6:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I tell you one thing, voters are really upset and angry with these cowards in Columbia.
PUNISH THE EMPLOYERS OF ALL THESE MILLIONS OF ILLEGAL MEXICANS, YOU COWARDS AND TRAITORS!
WAIT TILL ELECTIONS WHEN YOU FALL ON YOUR FACE IN EMBARRASSMENT!!!!!
PEOPLE ARE SICK OF YOU LAME BUTT AND LYING POLITICIANS!
Posted by Thomas1776 on April 24, 2008 at 6:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GET RID OF THEM ALL IN COLUMBIA. EVERY LAST STINKING ONE OF THEM! THEY ARE CROOKS!
Posted by carolinadude on April 24, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good morning all,
Harpo, what it takes to turn over this "culture of corruption" in Columbia is to begin recruiting candidates two years out in every election cycle. When the primaries are over on June 10th, if you're still unhappy with your incumbent scalawag legislator, you should begin trying to locate someone who will consider running against the so and so. Once identified, then begin lining up committments for support, financial and otherwise. "ALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR EVIL TO PREVAIL, IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING". Have a nice day.
Posted by ashleyriver on April 24, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Politicians Lie!?!?!?!?!? Perish the thought!
The bill will be passed as soon as these elected officials and their businessmen constituents have sufficient time to
A)get rid of their OWN illegal employees....or
B)write a watered down, "compromised" version of the bill and let public interest die out so they can continue to employ and underpay these illegals and thus reap a larger profit.
It's little wonder longtime residents of our great state are so cynical regarding politicians and politics.
Posted by BillytheKid on April 24, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hell, I agree with everyone this AM.
Posted by wpc3iop on April 24, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
VOTE THEM ALL OUT!
Posted by txjd on April 24, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Give that girl a raise. This article is awesome. It's about time we showed what really happens there.
Posted by theronce on April 24, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How long would it take us to write, pass, and sign a bill? Five, ten minutes?
Posted by Early on April 24, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Anbody want to buy a duck?
Posted by bigwhip on April 24, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We keep sending second class citizens to Columbia.
Posted by theronce on April 24, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This one issue exposes the corruption in the local, state, and federal governments.
Posted by Thomas1776 on April 24, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Traitors to the oath they took. Isn't that perjury? Surely there is some crime these idiots made into law that we can turn around and use against them, eh?
Posted by crankyyankee on April 24, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Funny thing is, come election time the P$C will endorse them and ya'll will re-elect them like you always do. Ya'll are consistant I will give you that!
Posted by AHLeland on April 24, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cranky-
It's true that so many people forget all the broken promises during election time. It is up the informed voters to keep these things fresh on people's minds.
PS "Y'all" not "ya'll." Just a pet peeve of mine :)
Posted by theronce on April 24, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The best time to knock them out is in the primaries.
Posted by simon_birch on April 24, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I AM SO SICK OF THE PEOPLE WE ELECT TO MAKE SURE THE STATE IS SAFE FROM ILLEGALS COMING IN A USEING ALL THE TAX PAYERS MONEY FOR FREE SCHOOL AND HOSPITAL AND SO MANY OTHER BENFITS. BUT THEY JUST SET THERE AND GET PAID AND FIGHT OVER STUPID LITTLE THINGS TO KEEP FROM PASSING A WAY OF IDENTIFYING ILLEGALS! THE I-9 IS GOOD ENOUNG IF THE EMPLOYERS WILL USE IT THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE DONE, BUT THEY WON'T UNTIL THEY START BEING FINED BIG FOR HIREING ILLEGALS WHEN FOUND. IF IT IS FAKE THEY CAN FIND OUT QUICK ENOUGH!!!!! YOU BUNCH OF LAZY NO GOOD LOAFERS!!! GETTING PAID TO SIT ON YOU BUTTS AND PLAY LIKE YOU REALLY CARE!!! HOW DO YOU PIGS SLEEP AT NIGHT WHILE OUR STATE GOES BROKE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TAKEN MONEY TO KEEP IT THE WAY IT IS...PAY OLLA....
Posted by Jane on April 24, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Vote Lindsey "I want my amnesty" Graham out in the June 10th primary. Vote for Buddy Witherspoon. Graham was behind that huge amnesty bill last summer.
Posted by CHRISJIII on April 24, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL!!!! What did I say. They knew full well that they could not go ahead with this unconstitutional action.
Posted by CNN_10 on April 24, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a bunch of crock from those idiots up in Columbia. These balloon heads can put a bill together. But i wonder if some of these senators and representatives have illegal immigrants working for them.