[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8362-S8363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DREAM ACT
Mr. VITTER. Madam President, I was truly disappointed to learn that
Senator Reid intends to bring up a new version of the sweeping amnesty
proposal, known as the DREAM Act. Disguised as an educational
initiative, the DREAM Act will provide a powerful incentive for more
illegal immigration by granting amnesty to millions of illegal aliens.
The bill, which is unaffordable for taxpayers in many different ways,
is a bad idea and comes at the worst possible time. As of recently,
there are now plenty different versions of the DREAM Act on the
legislative calendar, with different moving parts and revisions, but at
the end of the day, it doesn't matter which one you focus on; they all
have the same core, which is amnesty for a significant number of
illegal aliens.
Also with that amnesty would come very significant taxpayer-funded
benefits for these folks, including instate college tuition. In these
difficult economic times, it is an insult to legal, tax-paying citizens
that President Obama and his allies in the Senate want to use their
hard-earned money to pay for educational benefits for illegal aliens.
The struggling economy has increased the demand for enrollment in
public universities, as a growing number of families are unable to
afford other education. At a time when many Americans cannot afford to
send their own children to college, this bill would clearly allow the
government to provide Federal student loans to illegal aliens who will
displace legal residents competing for taxpayer subsidies. I am opposed
to this proposal because it would unfairly place American citizens in
direct competition with illegal aliens for scarce slots in classes at
State colleges. The number of those coveted seats is absolutely fixed.
So every illegal alien who would be admitted as a result of the DREAM
Act would take the place of an American citizen or someone who is
legally in our country. It makes no sense to authorize Federal and
State subsidies for the education of illegal aliens when our State
schools are suffering, as higher education budgets are being slashed,
admissions curtailed, tuitions increased.
Enactment of the DREAM Act would be bad policy under any
circumstances, but in the current economic climate, it would be a
catastrophe for States facing already strained budgets. The DREAM Act
will continue amnesty to millions of illegal aliens who entered the
United States as minors and meet loosely defined ``educational
requirements.'' Specifically, the bill grants immediate legal status to
illegal aliens who have merely enrolled in institutions of higher
education or received a high school degree or diploma.
The sponsors say several things to try to mitigate this basic fact,
but it doesn't.
First of all, they have described the beneficiaries in this
legislation as kids, boys and girls. In reality, the DREAM Act allows
illegal aliens up to the age of 30 to be eligible to receive amnesty
and qualify for Federal student loans.
Second, Harry Reid and the bill's proponents argue that this new
version of the DREAM Act has been narrowly tailored. I don't believe
the American public would be convinced that dropping the age of
eligibility from 35 to 30 transforms the core of this legislation or
changes anything at its core.
Third, the new and improved DREAM Act also requires that illegal
aliens seeking relief undergo a background check and submit biometric
and biographic data. Again, that doesn't change the core of the bill,
which is about amnesty for millions of illegal aliens, thereby putting
them in a position to compete for important taxpayer-funded benefits
with U.S. citizens.
Furthermore, the new version of the DREAM Act expands the waiver
authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security, thereby negating any
additional requirements for eligibility. The bar for eligibility is
already extremely low, but even what little is required can be waived
whenever that Secretary decides to do so.
The American people have made it very clear--crystal clear--that they
want to see the government fulfill its responsibility to enforce the
laws and to take steps to control illegal immigration, not to reward
bad behavior with amnesty and taxpayer-funded benefits.
Amnesty and economic incentives only encourage more illegal
immigration. This is certainly not the answer to our current, ongoing
immigration crisis. It will only worsen our economic crisis. I am
really outraged that any elected lawmaker would consider this proposal,
particularly now, particularly when our States and fellow citizens are
struggling to deal with economic hardship and budget cuts.
The DREAM Act also includes no cap on the number of those who will be
eligible to receive this amnesty. The economic ramifications would be
profound and are simply unacceptable.
Finally, there is absolutely no pay-for in this legislation, while it
is beyond argument that the act will increase costs on the Federal
taxpayer.
So, bottom line, this bill is absolutely increasing the Federal
deficit and the Federal debt--we don't know by exactly how much. To
help answer that question, I am writing the Congressional Budget Office
today and asking for an immediate score of the newest version of the
DREAM Act. Whatever the number is--and it is important that we get that
number--let me underscore that it is beyond debate that there is
significant cost to this bill, without any pay-fors. That means the
DREAM Act will also increase the Federal deficit and the Federal debt.
As chairman of the Border Security Caucus, I will be fighting this
measure every step of the way, doing everything I can to stop what is
clearly, at its core, an amnesty proposal. I invite all Members of the
Senate, Republicans and Democrats, to listen to the American people who
have been speaking about this loud and clear and to heed their call and
say no to amnesty and turn to what should be our clear priority, which
is enforcing the laws on the books, enforcing the clear laws against
illegal immigration.
With that, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
[[Page S8363]]
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam President, I see my distinguished friend, the
Senator from Wyoming, on the floor, and I would like to make a few
remarks about the Social Security COLA.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. There is no time remaining with the
majority at this moment.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as
in morning business for 10 minutes.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
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