Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2006

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006 -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 23, 2005)

SPEECH OF
HON. TOM COLE
OF OKLAHOMA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2005

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2360) making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes:

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak about the need to reform our immigration laws to curtail abuse, make Americans safer, and uphold the rule of law. In short, we need an immigration policy that works for America. Although I will vote against the amendment, by drawing attention to this issue, Congressman TOM TANCREDO is performing an important service.

I supported the REAL ID Act which makes it harder for terrorists to take advantage of our immigration laws. And I have cosponsored legislation, H.R. 98, authored by Chairman DAVID DREIER that would make it harder for employers to hire unauthorized workers.

While I agree with the general intent of this amendment, I must reluctantly oppose the amendment because I believe it would have the unintended consequence of making Americans less safe. Our immigration laws need to be enforced. But denying homeland security funds to local governments, which in turn use the money to prevent future terrorist attacks, is something I cannot support.

Mr. Chairman, in the future I hope we will look at other measures that will encourage local authorities to support and enforce federal immigration laws. Such measures must encourage local compensation without endangering the lives of innocent Americans that we are charged to protect.

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