[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 69 (Monday, May 23, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006

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                               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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