[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16280]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, on Friday of last week, the House took up 
26 sequential votes on amendments to the 2008 Department of Homeland 
Security Appropriations Act, H.R. 2638. The fourth of these votes was 
on an amendment by the gentlelady from Virginia, Representative Drake, 
which increased funding for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's 
287(g) program. This program funds training and activity of State and 
local law enforcement personnel to carry out Federal immigration law. I 
believe that immigration law is and should be the responsibility of 
Federal border and Customs officials, and not delegated to the States 
and local authorities who are already burdened with protecting their 
communities. I, therefore, do not support the Drake amendment.
  On roll number 469 when I cast my vote on this amendment, however, an 
``aye'' vote was recorded when a ``no'' vote should have been recorded.

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