During the latest amnesty travesty, Senator Mark Pryor wrote the following preceding the vote for cloture:
June 7, 2007
Press Release
Pryor: The Senate Can Do Better To Fix Our Immigration System
The immigration system we have on the books right now is broken. I am for immigration reform that is tough, fair and realistic. Tough means strengthening border control and enforcement efforts. Fair means fair on taxpayers. Realistic means restoring the rule of law and fixing the immigration system once and for all. Unfortunately, this bill fails this test.
I want immigration reform that is good for Arkansas. I believe a comprehensive approach with strong enforcement mechanisms can work, but the Congressional Budget Office estimates that this proposal will only reduce annual illegal immigration by 25%. We can do better, and I will continue working with my colleagues to do just that.
Meanwhile, President Bush can and should immediately step up border enforcement and crack down on companies who employ illegal immigrants. Since he came into office, enforcement of immigration law is down 30 percent.
http://www.senate.gov/~pryor/newsroom/details.cfm?id=277684
Senator Pryor ended up voting against shamnesty at the end of June, proceeding the flood of phone calls he recieved from Arkansans who told him “no”. Instead of blaming talk radio and the “bigots” on the far right like several Republicans did, he got the message, at least in word, and put out the latest press release:
June 28, 2007
Press Release
Statement by Senator Mark Pryor On Immigration
We must reform our nation’s broken immigration system with tough, fair and realistic legislation. I voted against the President’s immigration plan today because the border security and enforcement measures are inadequate and the bill fails to effectively address the individuals who are already here illegally. We should not pass a plan the Congressional Budget Office estimates will only reduce annual illegal immigration by 25 percent.
The Senate has now failed to pass immigration reform for the third time. It’s time for a new approach. I advocate that we strengthen and implement the enforcement measures in this bill and show we can fully enforce immigration laws. As the Senate works behind the scenes to draft a stronger and more sensible bill, President Bush can and should take immediate steps to enforce the laws already on the books. He can do better, and so can the Senate.
http://www.senate.gov/~pryor/newsroom/details.cfm?id=277995
I recieved the extended version of this message in a one and a half page type written letter from his office after I returned home from vacation in Florida in the middle of July. I applaud Senator Mark Pryor for the courage to stand against the president and even the leaders in his own party, and stand for America with this vote. It takes courage to vote your convictions. It takes even more courage to boldly proclaim the flaws with a bill that the president and leaders in your own party supported. But, the real test of courage will come when he puts those bold proclamations into the form of a bill with his name on it that he votes for. Proclamations like, ” It’s time for a new approach. I advocate that we strengthen and implement the enforcement measures in this bill and show we can fully enforce immigration laws.” Here is the extended part of that statement which was left out of his press release, but put in the letter sent to me from his office: “We must restore the integrity of our laws and the trust of our citizens”. That is so correct and crucial to understanding why America rebelled against this bill, it is kind of surprising to me that he left it out of the public statement. Regardless of that, I look forward to seeing the Pryor Immigration Bill which would mandate border security, fully fund it, mandate that the fence be built in the next two years, crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants, and mandate that no amnesty will occur until these benchmarks have been met and maintained for at least 10 years. Remember, it is about restoring the integrity of our laws and the trust of our citizens.
I also look forward to a bill that keeps our government from playing games with the lives of those who come here legally and do things the right way, even pass the citizenship test, and are still not citizens. It is unfair and unjust, and an abomination that we have allowed this kind of abuse to occur. I look forward to seeing a bill from Senator Pryor that addresses this issue and more. I look forward to a bill which makes English the official language of the United States of America. Senator Pryor, if you truly want to restore confidence and trust in our government, I believe these suggestions would be a good start. Please let me know when you introduce your bill doing these things so I can really get excited about it and work to build support for it. Don’t just play political games and talk a good talk. Take a stand for America and walk the walk.
