Defeat of DREAM Act Gives Hope for True Immigration Reform in New Congress

/PRNewswire/ -- Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), called the defeat of the DREAM Act amnesty "an important victory for the American people in their long-standing quest to achieve immigration reform that serves the public interest." Today's procedural vote in the Senate effectively blocks the lame duck 111th Congress from granting amnesty to millions of illegal aliens.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) attempted to use the lame duck session to approve a broad amnesty that is opposed by the majority of American voters. With more than 20 percent of its members no longer accountable to the American people, the House approved the DREAM Act amnesty earlier this month with no hearings, little debate, and no opportunity for members to offer amendments. In the Senate, Majority Leader Reid introduced multiple versions of the bill in a desperate attempt to gain votes while employing every parliamentary maneuver possible to defy the will of the American people.

"FAIR is heartened that senators rejected this cynical attempt by the congressional leadership to take advantage of the lame duck session to pass legislation that lacked public support in during the preceding 22 months," said Stein.

The DREAM Act would have granted amnesty to an estimated 2.1 million illegal aliens who could meet minimal eligibility requirements. Beneficiaries would have been eligible for government loans and assistance to pursue post-secondary education. According to the Congressional Budget Office, passage of the DREAM Act would have added significantly to the federal deficit once beneficiaries became legal permanent residents.

While the DREAM Act offered generous benefits to illegal aliens, the legislation offered nothing to the American people except greater competition for jobs, educational opportunities, and increased public costs. The bill included no provisions designed to improve enforcement of American immigration laws.

"The defeat of this unwarranted and expensive amnesty bill clears the way for meaningful efforts to implement true immigration reform in the new Congress," Stein stated. "With the DREAM Act and other amnesty proposals off the table, the 112th Congress will have an opportunity implement immigration reforms that place the interests and concerns of the American people ahead of those of illegal aliens.

"As the 112th Congress approaches, there is broad public and bipartisan consensus about many long overdue immigration policy reforms. Most importantly, the new Congress must ensure that our nation's borders are secure and that laws against illegal aliens living and working in the United States are enforced. Implementing these reforms would benefit American workers and taxpayers, and enhance our national security. The American people see no reason why these needed reforms should be held hostage to granting amnesty to the people who broke our laws," said Stein.

"We congratulate the 41 members of the Senate who blocked this shameful attempt by the leadership to use dozens of defeated and retiring members of Congress to pass harmful legislation that the American people clearly oppose," concluded Stein.

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Westmoreland Votes in Favor of Pay Raise for Troops, Funding for Pentagon

Language in the Defense Department Authorization Bill Also Provides for Columbus Veteran to Receive Much-Deserved Distinguished-Service Cross

Today, the House of Representatives passed the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for 2011, a bill that will provide funding for the Department of Defense for the 2011 fiscal year. This legislation was devoid of controversial language repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ or providing funding for abortions in military hospitals contained in the Senate version. Congressman Westmoreland supported the bill.

“I am pleased the House was finally able to pass a clean Defense Department authorization bill,” stated Westmoreland. “Not only does this bill include a much-deserved pay raise for our military personnel, it also increases funding for much-needed missile defense and additional funding for our troops serving on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. If there is one thing we must do in Congress, it is to make sure our military receives the necessary funding to keep our troops as safe and secure as possible and keep Americans safe from harm.”

The bill also awarded Captain James C. Copley from Columbus, Georgia, the Distinguished-Service Cross for his acts of valor on May 5, 1968 as commander of Company C of the 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry, attached to the 173rd Airborne Brigade during an engagement with a regimental-size enemy force in Bin Dinh Province, South Vietnam. The army has a three year limitation on awarding Distinguished-Service Cross, so an act of Congress was needed to ensure Captain Copley received his deserved honor. Congressman Westmoreland worked with Senator Chambliss to include language to waive the statute of limitation and award Captain Copley the medal.

“I am proud to be able to finally honor Captain James Copley for his bravery and valor during his service in Vietnam,” stated Westmoreland. “While under heavy gunfire, Copley opted for an exposed position to facilitate the evacuation of friendly forces. During that evacuation, he suffered a severe gunshot wound that tore through his throat and back. However, he refused medical evacuation and continued his mission until all friendly forces were rescued. His unwavering bravery in the face of danger is a true credit to this country.”

The bill must still be passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president to take effect. On December 18, 2010, the government will run out of funding when the current continuing resolution expires, including the Defense Department, unless another continuing resolution is passed. Westmoreland encourages the Senate to pass this clean Defense Department authorization so we can ensure our troops receive the funding they need to defend our country.

Deal appoints McGinnitie as revenue commissioner

Gov.-elect Nathan Deal today announced that he'll appoint Doug MacGinnitie as the next commissioner of the Department of Revenue. The outgoing commissioner, Bart Graham, has accepted the governor-elect's request that he join the Office of the State Treasurer, where he'll serve under State Treasurer Tommy Hills.

MacGinnitie is a former member of the Sandy Springs City Council. He served as COO of Grassroot Soccer, a nonprofit organization that uses soccer to save the lives of youth in southern Africa. He co-founded and served as chief operating officer and a director of Beecher Carlson, a commercial insurance brokerage firm headquartered in Atlanta. He is the former general counsel at Hobbs Group, former chief counsel for Georgia Pacific, and a former associate with Alston & Bird. He served as a law clerk on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. A four-year star on the Dartmouth soccer team during his college years, MacGinnitie was named Ivy League Player of the Year in 1988. He's also an Emory School of Law graduate.

Deal also announced today that he'll keep Debbie Dlugolenski as the OPB director and Chief Financial Officer. During her tenure at OPB, Dlugolenski has served as Deputy Director and Division Director for Physical and Economic Development. She was formerly the Assistant Commissioner for the Technical College System of Georgia and has also served as President of the Georgia Virtual Technical College and Sandersville Technical College. Dlugolenski is a graduate of the Georgia Environmental Leadership Program and the State of Georgia Executive Development Leadership Program. Dlugolenski serves on the board of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, State Road and Tollway Authority, One Georgia Authority and the Georgia Employee Benefits Council. Dlugolenski resides in Conyers and has three children and two grandchildren.

In new appointments:

Tonya Boga, director, Office of the Child Advocate. Boga lives in Marietta worships at First Baptist Atlanta. She currently serves as a Juvenile Court Mediator in the Cobb Judicial Circuit. She has represented children as a Guardian Ad Litem in both Juvenile Court and Superior Court for many years. She is a member of the National Association of Counsel For Children and has served as a member of the State Bar of Georgia's Children and the Courts Committee. After earning her law degree, she earned a Master of Laws degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law with a concentration in child and family law. She is a sole practitioner with offices in Marietta and Cartersville. She has been recognized by the State Bar and Cobb County Bar Association for her service and leadership.

Melvin Everson, director, Governor's Office of Workforce Development. Everson is completing his second term in the state House of Representatives, where he represented portions of Gwinnett. Previously, he served four years on the Snellville City Council. Everson spent 23 years in the U.S. Army. He and wife Gerri live in Snellville and have one adult son.

Harris Blackwood, director, Governor's Office of Highway Safety. Blackwood, of Gainesville, is a former newspaper editor and columnist who has also worked as a telecommunications executive. Most recently, Blackwood served on the staff of the Deal for Governor campaign. He is a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Gainesville and a trustee and former chairman of the Lanier Technical College Foundation. He and wife Allison have three adult daughters and a son.
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Libertarian Party of Georgia Asks Republican Senators, "Why So Much Pork?"

This week, Congress contemplates passage of a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill. With many criticizing the inclusion of 6,488 earmarks just weeks after Senate Republicans self-imposed an earmark moratorium, the Libertarian Party of Georgia is asking Republican Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss why they have 24 and 42 earmarks, respectively, in the proposed legislation.

In both the 2008 and 2010 re-election campaigns of the incumbent Senators, they stressed their fiscally conservative credentials during their respective campaigns against far more fiscally conservative Libertarian candidates Allen Buckley and Chuck Donovan. With a combined 66 earmarks, both Senators joined 33 other Republicans in packing the omnibus bill full of pork-barrel spending prior to the moratorium that both Chambliss and Isakson supported.

"My question to the Georgia Senators is this: Why, after running campaigns touting fiscal discipline and reducing Federal spending, are you back to 'business as usual?,'" said Brett Bittner, Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of Georgia. "Both Senators, along with their Republican colleagues, show us that they can 'talk the talk,' but they are unable to 'walk the walk.'"

While the self-imposed moratorium on earmarks is non-binding and did not pass as an amendment to S. 510, the recent food safety bill, the aversion to reducing federal spending on a small scale indicates that the Senate may not be taking the temporary earmark ban all that seriously.

"This is another example of our elected officials saying one thing to get elected, only to turn around and do the opposite once in office," stated Libertarian Party of Georgia Chairman, Daniel N. Adams. "I am curious to know how long this ruse will continue to be effective."

The Libertarian Party is Georgia’s third largest political party and the only party in Georgia promoting fewer taxes, less government and personal liberty for all Georgians. To learn more, please visit www.LPGeorgia.com

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Westmoreland Opposes Repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

Today, the House of Representatives passed a repeal of the Department of Defense’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was a policy enacted under President Clinton to address gay or lesbian service men and women in American armed forces. Westmoreland opposed the bill.

“Congressional Democrats failed to pass legislation to fund the Defense Department and our troops, but have instead prioritized a bill that will bring a major cultural change in the military while we fight wars on two fronts,” stated Westmoreland. “Once again congressional Democrats and the White House are sending a message that Washington cares more about sticking to its liberal agenda than it does about providing funding for American soldiers risking their lives on the front line.”

The Pentagon conducted a nine-month study on the implications of repealing ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ and release a report detailing their findings. Of those findings, the report provided no guarantee that enacting such a change would be beneficial to military life, or that it would improve retention rates, increase readiness, or increase recruitment. With no guaranteed benefits, Westmoreland doesn’t see the need for enacting these disruptive changes.

“The military is no place for forcing social change,” stated Westmoreland. “So far, I haven’t seen anything that tells me repealing this law would have a positive impact on our soldiers. Until then, I could never support enacting this disruptive alteration while our nation is engaged in combat.”

Earlier this month, the chiefs of staff for the Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps raised their concerns during a Senate Armed Forces Committee as well. The legislation will now be sent to the Senate for a vote.

Deal: Obamacare ruling bodes well for Georgia

Georgia's Gov.-elect Nathan Deal today said that the federal court ruling against Obamacare's mandates bodes well for Georgia's litigation against the law:

"I am encouraged by today's ruling," Deal said. "The people of Georgia can rest assured we will continue to fight as we move forward to ensure that Georgians don't lose their constitutional rights when it comes to choosing their health care. I look forward to working with Attorney Gen.-elect Sam Olens to see that our state continues to fight for the individual rights of Georgians. Our case is partnered with the state of Florida, so today's ruling doesn't directly affect our state's case, but it suggests that our argument is gaining steam in the court system. I do believe our position will win the day when one of these cases reaches the U.S. Supreme Court."

As the ranking member on the subcommittee on health in the U.S. House, Deal was the first member of Congress to publicly say the individual mandate was unconstitutional. Today's ruling backs up his assessment of the legislation's serious flaws.

"The fight against Obamacare in the courts is based on the constitutional rights of Americans," Deal said. "As the next governor of Georgia, I'm not only concerned about the law's encroachment on our rights but also about the crippling cost that this law will place on Georgia taxpayers. We're struggling every day to pay our current bills and keep our schools running efficiently. Adding billions in new health care costs to the state will crunch every priority in state government. We need serious changes to this law. The consequences to Georgia are too severe."

Westmoreland Encouraged by Decision Overturning Health Insurance Mandate

Today, a federal judge in Virginia ruled the mandatory health insurance coverage required in the health care law enacted earlier this year is unconstitutional. In the opinion, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson held the provision was an unprecedented expansion of federal power that is not supported by Congress’ power to regulate interstate trade, known as the Commerce Clause, thus making it unconstitutional. Below is Congressman Lynn Westmoreland’s comment on the ruling.

“I am encouraged by today’s decision overturning the insurance mandate within ObamaCare. After the Obama administration and Speaker Pelosi spent the last two years telling the American people they knew what was best, it turns out they didn’t – the center-piece of their liberal agenda has been rightfully ruled unconstitutional. I think I join many of my colleagues in Congress and the more than 59 percent of the American people who oppose this law when I do not express my surprise to this outcome. I encourage the Obama administration, rather than wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on appealing this case, to join Republicans in their fight to repeal this job-killing health care law and replace it with common sense reforms that will truly lower health care costs,” stated Westmoreland.

Pelosi Statement on Senate Failure to Advance 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal

/PRNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement tonight after a vote to advance the Defense Authorization bill, which repeals the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, failed in the Senate.

"The failure of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal, as part of the Defense Authorization bill, on a procedural vote in the Senate is a serious disappointment to the many who have worked so hard to close the door on a fundamental unfairness.

"Since the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' has broad support among Senators, our troops, and the American people, it is my hope that that the Senate will move forward with an alternative legislative method. The bipartisan proposal from Senators Lieberman and Collins provides renewed hope that progress is still possible in the Senate; an army of allies stands ready in the House to pass a standalone repeal of the discriminatory policy once the Senate acts.

"Moving forward to end the days of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' will honor the service and sacrifice of all who dedicate their lives to protecting the American people."

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Statement by Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis on President Obama's framework for bipartisan agreement to extend Unemployment Insurance, help middle-class families

/PRNewswire/ -- Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding President Obama's framework for a bipartisan agreement to extend Unemployment Insurance and help middle-class families. The framework includes $56 billion to extend Unemployment Insurance, a $120 billion payroll tax cut for workers, $40 billion in tax cuts for the nation's hardest-hit families and students, and 100 percent expensing for small businesses over the course of 2011.

"Yesterday President Obama laid out a thoughtful framework for a bipartisan agreement that would extend Unemployment Insurance and keep the taxes paid by middle-class families from increasing.

"By the president's own account, the agreement is not perfect. But it is crucial for American families and for the American economy.

"The framework avoids a $3,000 tax increase for the typical working family and ensures that millions of working-class Americans won't see their tax cuts go away next year either. It also continues the American Opportunity Tax Credit for households with college-bound students and the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income families. These are high-impact, job-creating tax cuts for working families.

"The agreement also provides a critical extension of unemployment benefits through the end of 2011. Without it, by the end of December, 2 million men and women looking for work would see their unemployment benefits come to an early end. Over the next year, their ranks would increase to more than 7 million people. For these individuals — none of whom were fired or quit, but who lost their jobs through no fault of their own — this means not having to worry their unemployment benefits could be eliminated abruptly as they search for jobs.

"This is a smart investment, not only in those who continue to look for work but for the economy as a whole. Every dollar that goes toward Unemployment Insurance generates $2 in economic activity. In fact, since the start of the recent recession, the Unemployment Insurance program has helped to boost gross domestic product by $315 billion. It also has saved an average of 1.6 million jobs per quarter.

"In addition to the UI extension, the president's framework includes measures for jump-starting growth and spurring private sector job creation. An important payroll tax cut will help more than 155 million workers and provide nearly $120 billion in tax relief next year. The president also fought for a provision that would temporarily allow 2 million businesses to expense all of their investments in 2011. This "complete expensing" could generate more than $50 billion in additional investment, and it would be the largest temporary investment incentive in American history.

"These are all important, responsible, temporary measures to support our economy that will not add costs by the middle of the decade. I share the president's belief that it is not affordable to make the high-income tax cuts permanent and look forward to that debate in the years ahead.

"In the midst of political rhetoric, it can be far too easy to lose sight of the fact that this economy belongs to all of us — whatever our income or employment status. The president understands that, and he is leading the way on a difficult but important compromise.

"I urge federal legislators to support this agreement, not just because it is the right thing to do for those who are desperately looking for work this holiday season but because it is the right thing to do for everyone in America."

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Hall County Commissioner Ashley Bell Switches Parties To The Republican Party

Ashley Bell, former National President for the College Democrats of America, 2004 superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention and Hall County Commissioner, today changed his allegiance to the Republican Party.

Bell is the first African-American elected official to switch parties since the General Election.

“I’m joining the Republican Party because I’m a conservative and simply feel more at home as a Republican,” said Commissioner Bell. “I have worked to make government more efficient and less intrusive in citizens’ lives and plan to continue those efforts as a Republican.”

Bell made the announcement in a press conference with his wife, Lauren, Georgia Republican Party Chairman Sue Everhart and Georgia Black Republican Council Chairman Michael McNeely.

“We are excited that Commissioner Bell will help lead the way for many other conservative African Americans to leave the Democratic Party and join the Republican Party. We welcome all conservatives with open arms,” said GAGOP Chairman Sue Everhart.

“Party affiliation should not be an issue of race or geography. Mr. Bell shares the Republican Party’s conservative values and belief in common sense solutions to the problems facing Georgia,” Everhart said. “I am pleased to welcome such a strong and visionary leader.”