Here Are the 7 Turncoat Republicans Who Just Voted for Amnesty
Illegal immigration is a hot-button topic that will likely play a big role in the upcoming 2020 election. President Donald Trump, of course, showed during the last presidential race that tough rhetoric on immigration resonates with the American people.
You’d think that Republicans would have gotten the message that voters — and certainly conservatives — are fed up with kicking the can down the road on the immigration issue. But when it came to a key vote on extending amnesty to over two million people in the United States illegally, around half a dozen GOP legislators just broke with their party and sided with Democrats.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act. While it was not a blanket amnesty program, the legislation does essentially give amnesty to several million people who did not enter the United States lawfully.
“The legislation was brought forward by Democratic California Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard and will provide permanent status to illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as minors, as well as to those living in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status,” The Daily Caller reported.
For the most part, Wednesday’s vote fell on party lines. The bill passed 237-187 in the Democrat-controlled House.
But Democrats supporting the amnesty program weren’t alone. Seven Republicans sided with their Democratic colleagues to also vote for the bill.
Those seven Republicans are:
- Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska
- Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida
- Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania
- Rep. Will Hurd of Texas
- Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington
- Rep. Chris Smith New Jersey
- Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan
Both the White House and the Republicans in the House Judiciary Committee heavily criticized the legislation, pointing out numerous reasons why supporting any type of amnesty made very little sense.
“H.R. 6 would incentivize and reward illegal immigration while ignoring and undermining key Administration objectives and policy priorities, such as protecting our communities and defending our borders,” a White House statement read.
OMB Statement of Administration Policy *Update*:
H.R. 6, American Dream and Promise Act of 2019
→ https://t.co/lkUDA66uWV pic.twitter.com/NkQhv9nXk4
— OMB Press (@OMBPress) June 3, 2019
“H.R. 6 would only exacerbate illegal immigration and the exploitation of our immigration laws by incentivizing more illegal behavior while doing nothing to address the problems at our southern border or broader immigration enforcement efforts,” the statement continued.
Republicans in the House Judiciary Committee had equally strong words, reminding people on Twitter that the immigration problem was as serious as ever.
“Border Patrol processing centers are far beyond capacity. ICE detention facilities are full. NGOs providing shelter and other aid to migrants are completely overwhelmed. Yet, Democrats are still pushing for mass amnesty with H.R. 6.,” the House Judiciary GOP tweeted.
→ Border Patrol processing centers are far beyond capacity.
→ ICE detention facilities are full.
→ NGOs providing shelter and other aid to migrants are completely overwhelmed.Yet, Democrats are still pushing for mass amnesty with H.R. 6.
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) June 4, 2019
It’s worth noting that the bill is unlikely to actually become law, as it would need to pass the Republican-controlled Senate and be signed by President Trump first. But the fact that seven Republicans apparently thought this type of amnesty was a good idea is troubling.
Immigration is an American tradition, but it must be done legally. By essentially shrugging after aliens broke the law, the lawmakers who voted for this bill are sending a signal that illegal immigration will be rewarded if the perpetrators are just patient enough.
Voters will send signals of their own in 2020, and with all of these legislators up for re-election, it will be interesting to see how Americans respond.
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