[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1881-E1882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           SOBER BORDERS ACT

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                               speech of

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 15, 2002

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I co-sponsored H.R. 2155, the Sober Borders 
Act, because as a former law enforcement official and founder of the 
Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, I understand firsthand the 
challenges Michigan and other border states face with drunk drivers 
crossing border checkpoints. I take seriously Congress's responsibility 
to help enforce state and local laws to prevent drunk driving and to 
ensure the safety of our district's residents.

[[Page E1882]]

  However, despite my co-sponsorship, I will vote against H.R. 2155, on 
the grounds that Mr. Conyers was not allowed to offer an amendment 
under the rule for its consideration. I support his amendment which 
would have recommended a GAO study to help prevent racial profiling by 
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) officials who will now be 
permitted to stop, breathalize, and arrest suspected drunk drivers at 
the Canadian and Mexican borders.
  It is a very simple amendment, but his concerns will not be addressed 
because of the way this bill was brought up on the floor. I urge my 
colleagues to vote against this measure.

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