This week the House voted on H.R. 6136, the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018. This legislation failed to pass the House by a recorded vote of 121-301. H.R. 6136 would have increased border security, prevented further illegal immigration, kept families together, and offered a legislative solution for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The status quo with respect to border security and DACA is unacceptable. I supported this bill because I refused to let perfect be the enemy of good. After 31 years of congressional inaction on immigration reform, and after seeing how hard certain Members have worked to bring this issue to the Floor, I refused to go on the record with a vote against today’s bill, or last week’s immigration bill (H.R. 4760, the Securing America’s Future Act). When it comes to immigration, I will always choose smart policy reforms, like the ones included in these bills, over continued inaction.
While I would have preferred more of my colleagues to join those of us who confirmed our dissatisfaction with the status quo by voting in favor of both bills, I am pleased that we were finally able to bring some immigration issues to the Floor. For the first time since coming to Congress, I now have specific bills and a voting record to discuss when I go home to my constituents.
As I mentioned last week, it was the combination of the Discharge Petition and the media covering the family separation policy being enforced at our southern border – a policy which started in the previous administration – that brought this issue to the House Floor for a vote for the first time in decades.
As with any controversial issue, there will never be a perfect piece of legislation that completely bridges the gap between the political disagreements surrounding immigration reform policies. So for those who think the majority of Members who voted “no” on one or either of these bills have somehow solved immigration reform – please feel free to share those thoughts with me. The refusal to compromise and legislate effectively is indicative of Congress being unable to focus on the issues instead of the politics. After a week of voting on two separate immigration reform packages, DACA recipients are still left with uncertainty and unpredictability, and our border – in many places – continues to be nearly open, something I vehemently oppose.
Additionally, for those who criticized the last administration for dealing with immigration through executive action, keep in mind, until Congress actually passes something, President Trump will also be forced to deal with this issue through executive action – as we’ve already seen happen.
While we certainly have some issues to balance out, the solutions are out there, and I am encouraged by the fact that between both of these bills, the majority of House Republicans chose to do the right thing by voting in support of common-sense measures that would have secured our borders and fixed some of the most broken parts of our nation’s immigration system.
Specifically, H.R. 6136 would have:
- Strengthened our borders and provided funding for construction along the southern border;
- Prevented further illegal immigration and human smuggling;
- Created a merit-based immigration system that will reward those who work toward earning the skills, education, and work experience the U.S. needs;
- Fixed the laws currently on the books to ensure children and parents will remain together as much as possible when being apprehended at our borders;
- Put an end to the diversity lottery and chain migration; and
- Offered a more permanent solution to the DACA program. Under this bill, the future of the DACA population is now hooked with border security. Therefore, as funding remains stable for border security, the DACA population will have a permanent legal solution. Current DACA, or otherwise qualified applicants, may apply for contingent non-immigrant status that is eligible for renewal every six years in perpetuity. Starting in Fiscal Year 2025, and as long as money for border security is still in place, recipients in good standing may be eligible to apply for the new visas issued by a points criteria for achievements in work, education, and military service.
Washington Visitors
Congressional Art Competition Winner – Wyatt Williams
Congressional Art Competition winner, Wyatt Williams, came to Washington this week for the annual awards ceremony. Wyatt is a sophomore at Reno’s McQueen High School and took first place in this year’s competition for his photo entitled ‘Valley of Colors’ which beautifully showcases Bowers Mansion in the fall. He describes his work as the mansion resting “in the historical Washoe Valley”. Wyatt's work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. I’m incredibly proud of all of the talented young artists who participated in this year’s competition and I commend them on their outstanding work.
Washington Wrap-Up
Honoring a Great American Institution
In 1863, Congress established the Carson City Mint to serve the coinage needs brought on by the Comstock Lode during the silver rush in Nevada. February 11, 2020 will mark the 150th anniversary of the first coins being struck at the Carson City Mint, which officially opened its doors in December of 1869.
In commemoration of this momentous occasion, I introduced H.R. 6221 this week. If passed, this bill would require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint $5 gold coins and $1 silver coins. Designs for the coins would be available to the public for purchase and will be emblematic of the Carson City Mint building and its importance to Nevada and our nation’s history.
As a fourth generation Nevadan, I’m proud that such a significant piece of American history is still in operation in my hometown of Carson City and being used for its historically intended purpose. It’s a great privilege to begin the process of shining the spotlight on an institution that was essential in shaping the great American West. I look forward to shepherding this bill through Congress, and hope that my colleagues will offer their support in recognition of the Carson City Mint being a special part of the fabric of our country.
House Votes to Hold Federal Agencies Accountable
Since March 2017, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has conducted an investigation into potential abuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act by the Department of Justice (DOJ). On October 24, 2017, the House Committees on the Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform, began a joint-investigation into decisions made by the DOJ in 2016 and 2017 during its investigation of the emails of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During these investigations, the DOJ delayed and failed to fully comply with requests for information and congressional subpoenas.
This week, the House successfully passed H.Res.970, a DOJ compliance resolution. Specifically, the resolution insists that no later than July 6, 2018, the DOJ must fully comply with the requests, including subpoenas, of the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees relating to potential violations of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. I’m pleased to see this bill pass the House, sending a message that this kind of obstruction has no place in the people’s government.
NDAA Passes Senate, Heads to Conference Committee
Last week, the Senate passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation to fund our national security needs and support our men and women in uniform by increasing funding for: military training and readiness programs, equipment, and quality-of-life programs for our troops and their families.
The House passed its version of the NDAA with my support on May 24, 2018 with a recorded vote of 351 – 66. Specifically, the House-passed version gives our troops the largest pay raise in nine years and increases funding to support readiness recovery.
Congress will now vote on a motion to send the NDAA to a Conference Committee where appointed Members from both chambers will work through the legislative differences to ultimately reach an agreement. The version of the bill agreed to in the Conference Committee must successfully pass out of both Chambers before it's sent to the President’s desk for a signature.
As always, thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on the issues you care about most.
For additional information, please visit my website at amodei.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760 or Elko office: (775) 777-7705. To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and in Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram Youtube.
