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" Supporting Asian and Minority Businesses" |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2007 Contact: Kathryn Seck, 202-224-9431
Kerry Statement on Congressman Parren Mitchell
WASHINGTON – Today Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, issued the following statement on the passing of former Congressman Parren Mitchell:
“With the passing of Congressman Parren Mitchell, our country has lost one of its legendary advocates for minority business owners, a giant who knew that the struggle for civil rights and equal opportunity would be decided in America’s board rooms as well as its voting booths and lunch counters.
“Congressman Mitchell fought with heart, grit, integrity, and determination to level the playing field so more minority firms could do business with the federal government. He didn’t just serve as Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, he served as Congress’ conscience. His life was an incredible story. From breaking racial barriers at the University of Maryland to serving as chairman of Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund, Parren Mitchell was a pioneer in the fight to ensure equal rights for minorities.
“In the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, we will honor his work and preserve his ideals by passing laws that continue to expand opportunity for all Americans who have been shut out or left behind.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 29, 2006
Kerry Ensures TSA Contracts Will Go to Small Businesses
WASHINGTON – Senator John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) succeeded in attaching legislation to the Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report that will make the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accountable to the Small Business Act for purposes of contracting with outside vendors. TSA was exempted from the Small Business Act in the aftermath of 9/11, and as a result has not been held to requirements for contracting with small businesses that apply to nearly every other Federal agency.
“By every account, TSA has abused procurement privileges granted in the aftermath of September 11th,” said Kerry, who as Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee has been an ardent supporter for small business contracting opportunities. “As a result, capable qualified small businesses are left out of the federal procurement process. When it comes to ensuring that America’s small businesses receive the opportunities they need to grow and succeed, it’s time to bring the Bush Administration in check. That starts today at TSA.”
Kerry’s legislation is scheduled to pass as part of the Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report later this evening. The final version of the bill will be approved by both the House and the Senate Chambers today, and will be sent to the President for his signature.
As a result of Kerry’s amendment, TSA will be required to adhere to government-wide, statutory contracting goals. These goals establish that at least 23 percent of federal contracts will go to small businesses, with smaller percentages of between three and five percent directed to disadvantaged business communities, including socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, women owned businesses, and service disabled veteran owned businesses.
“Small businesses face plenty of obstacles without the federal government shutting them out of procurement opportunities,” said Kerry. “We depend on small businesses to grow our economy. The least we can do is reserve them a place at the table to compete for these contracts.” ###
December 15, 2005 NOTICE: Immigration Vote Tomorrow Tomorrow, Congress will continue to consider the Border/Immigration Republican bill. This bill seeks to criminalize hard working immigrants, denies due process to lawful permanent residents, makes citizenship harder to obtain and burdens employers of small and large companies by mandating unworkable verification requirements. The bill also forces churches, non-profits, and others involved in workforce development to prescreen potential job applicants before referring them to jobs, a procedure that is likely to result in employment delays and possibly discrimination.
Enclosed you will find the following:
· FLOOR STATEMENT: House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor this evening in strong opposition to the misguided Republican immigration bill.
· List of over 200 groups representing religious, business, immigration, labor, and state groups opposing the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (H.R. 4437).
· Summary of worst provisions of HR 4437.
News
From House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Thursday, December 15, 2005 Pelosi: Republican Immigration Bill a ‘Failure of Moral Leadership’
Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor this evening in strong opposition to the misguided Republican immigration bill:
On Border Security:
“Mr. Speaker, we all know what we must do. Democrats have long called for strong border security, effective law enforcement, and for comprehensive immigration reform, not this punitive, mean-spirited legislation that does nothing to weed out terrorists.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlelady [Ms. Lofgren] for yielding and I commend her for her tremendous leadership on keeping our borders safe, strong, and secure and for moving toward a comprehensive immigration policy. I also want to thank the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Conyers, and the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, Mr. Thompson, for their outstanding work in keeping America secure.
“The previous speaker said in his opening remarks: ‘When are we going to take this issue seriously?’ referring to the issue of borders and immigration. That is exactly what I would like to know. For a long time now, there have been Members on both sides of the aisle and who have called for comprehensive immigration reform. That would be taking this issue seriously.
“We ask the same question of the President: ‘When, Mr. President, are you going to take this issue seriously?’ Instead of having one bad bill after another come to the House floor, we can have comprehensive bipartisan reform in the Kolbe-Gutierrez legislation that is also sponsored in the Senate by Senator McCain and Senator Kennedy.
“Let’s say from the start that everyone in this body supports strong border control and it must be the first part of any comprehensive immigration reform. It is our obligation as elected officials to keep the American people safe, and our borders are our early lines of defense to do that.
“In our Caucus, we have a true expert on the issue of border security, the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Reyes, ready to further these efforts. But over and over, Democratic initiatives to make our borders more secure have been soundly rejected by the majority of the Republicans.
“Democrats support enforcing current laws against those who came here illegally, and those who hire illegal immigrants. Yet, the Bush Administration has refused to do just this. Where are all these people working? Why are we not enforcing the law against employers who hire undocumented people here? The Bush Administration has prosecuting only three employer sanction cases in the last fiscal year. When are we going to take this issue seriously?
“The employer verification provision in this bill overreaches, would have a big percentage of error built into it, and would put an enormous financial burden on American businesses unwisely. It would be discriminatory in questioning the legal status of every newcomer to our country, and even anyone who appears to be a newcomer to our country.
“Democrats have led the charge to meet our urgent homeland security needs. Not only at our borders, but all aspects identified by the 9/11 Commission – at our ports, our nuclear facilities, our chemical plants, and our rail yards. But Republicans have not done so – even four years after 9/11. That is why the 9/11 Commission has given the President and the Republican Congress a failing grade.
“For the first time in our history, this bill before us would make it a federal crime, instead of a civil offense, to be in the United States in violation of an immigration law or regulation. This provision would turn millions of immigrants currently here into criminals, hindering their ability to acquire any legal status – and would effectively frustrate the proposals that would provide real immigration reform.
“Under the guise of an expansive definition of smuggling, it could make criminals out of Catholic priests and nuns, ministers, rabbis, and social service workers who provide assistance and acts of charity to those in need. It could impose prison sentences up to five years on those who answer God’s call and provide assistance. This is from the party that claims to promote religious and family values.
“I am going to submit for the record a list of organizations that are opposing this bill, from the Jewish, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Lutheran communities, from almost every denomination you can name, the list goes on and on of people of faith who are opposing this legislation. It simply doesn’t take the immigration and broken borders issue seriously. It misses the mark completely, by its arbitrary provision and it misses an opportunity for comprehensive immigration reform.
“Mr. Speaker, we all know what we must do. Democrats have long called for strong border security, effective law enforcement, and for comprehensive immigration reform, not this punitive, mean-spirited legislation that does nothing to weed out terrorists.
“This Republican bill before us is an attempt to belatedly address some border security needs, but fails to provide real security as envisioned by the 9/11 Commission. It is not comprehensive immigration reform. Instead, Republicans have proposed a bill that is an abomination of the worst kind. It calls upon the worst political and most craven impulses. It is a failure of leadership – a failure of moral leadership.
“In all that we do as elected officials, we have a responsibility to make the American people safer, and to make America stronger. We can make America stronger – not only at our border – but in upholding our values and principles.
“I want to commend Mr. Kolbe and others who have worked with Mr. Gutierrez and others on our side of the aisle to make America safe and strong, because together, America can do better.”
# # #
SUMMARY OF WORST PROVISIONS OF H.R. 4437
· Makes 11 Million Undocumented Immigrants Aggravated Felons, Including Children, And Subjects Them To Arrest And Criminal Incarceration For More Than One Year By Local Law Enforcement
· Existing Undocumented Immigrants (11 Million) Will NEVER Be Eligible For A Guest Worker Program Or Any Other Immigration Visa
· Forces All Employers to Use an Employment Verification System the GAO Concluded Was Not Ready for Mandatory Implementation and that May Subject Employees and Prospective Employees to Hiring Discrimination
· Requires the Mandatory Detention of All Undocumented Aliens Apprehended at or Between Ports of Entry, beginning October 1, 2006, including vulnerable populations such as credible asylum seekers, non-violent unaccompanied children, elderly immigrants, and victims of trafficking.
· Criminalizes Churches And Other Organizations Or Persons And Requires The Federal Government To Seize Church And Other Property
· Denies Citizenship To Any Legal Permanent Resident Who Has Been Unlawfully Present In The Country At Any Time In Their Life
· Limits And Suspends Habeas Corpus Review
· Establishes Right To Government-Paid Counsel For 11 Million Undocumented Immigrants
· Drives A Wedge Between Local Police And Immigrants By Increasing The Fear Among The Immigrant Community To Come Forward And Report Or Assist In Crime Solving And Prevention
LIST OF GROUPS OPPOSED TO BORDER SECURITY BILL
December 16, 2005 Subject: IMMIGRATION Vote TODAY--Amendment LIST Enclosed FINAL VOTE on the Sensenbrenner Border/Immigration bill is THIS AFTERNOON. This bill seeks to criminalize hardworking immigrants, penalizes acts of kindness from churches and non-profits, and burdens businesses with costs, penalties and unworkable employee verification systems. Below is the most updated amendment list. We expect consideration on the amendment around 2pm. Final passage vote sometime late this afternoon (7-8pm)
· Read: Pelosi: Republican Immigration Bill a ‘Failure of Moral Leadership’
·
View
LIST of faith, business,
immigration, ethnic, and labor groups opposed to HR 4437:
http://www.democraticleader
FLOOR SCHEDULE AND AMENDMENTS:
H.Res.621 - 2nd Rule Providing for consideration of H.R. 4437 – Border Security Act (Rules). This rule makes in order 18 additional amendments and provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
H.R. 4437 – Border Security Act of 2005 (Rep. Sensenbrenner - Judiciary) (Complete Consideration). This bill is an enforcement-based proposal that tightens border security and interior enforcement mechanisms. The bill does not include the “guestworker” proposal supported by the President. Yesterday, the House began consideration of this bill and also adopted several amendments. This bill includes provisions to: require the establishment of a National Strategy for Border Security; require a plan for secure communications at the border; and require the installation of radiation portal monitors at all ports of entry and mandating that all cargo entering the US be screened for nuclear and radiological materials. HR4437 also includes controversial provisions including: expanding the definition of “aggravated felony” to include unlawful presence in the US, which would permanently bar a person from securing lawful immigration in the US and allow local enforcement personnel to arrest undocumented aliens; expanding the definition of “smuggling” and “harboring illegal aliens,” potentially subjecting good Samaritans, relatives, and employers to severe criminal penalties and civil asset forfeiture; allowing for the use of Homeland Security grants for immigration enforcement; requiring “mandatory detention” of aliens who attempt to enter the US illegally until they are removed; requiring “expedited removal” against aliens suspected of having entered the US without inspection who are apprehended within 100 miles of the border; permitting that the US government send aliens to countries where they are likely to be tortured; expanding the existing employment verification pilot program to all employers within 2 years; establishing and expanding mandatory minimum sentences for numerous offenses; and restricting judicial review.
As provided by the two rules for this bill, 21 amendments remain for consideration (including the 18 amendments made in order by the 2nd rule) each debatable for 10 minutes:
Ø Goodlatte/Herseth Amendment. To eliminate the Visa Lottery program. This program makes available 55,000 permanent resident visas annually to citizens from countries with low rates of immigration to the US. Ø Filner Amendment. To specifically ban “distribution” of fraudulent documents, making the distribution of such documents subject to the same penalties as creating, altering, or falsifying immigration-related documents. Ø Hayworth Amendment. To eliminate the visa category for adult siblings of US citizens and increase employment-based visas. Ø Sensenbrenner/King Manager’s Amendment: Includes numerous changes including: changing “aggravated felonies” references for certain aliens; requiring the Attorney General to report on the status of criminal alien prosecutions; and penalizing fraud against aliens applying for immigration benefits. Ø Price (GA) Amendment. Regarding establishing a hard deadline to achieve operational control of the border. Ø Stearns Amendment. Regarding not granting any kind of legal immigration benefit until relevant databases of criminal records and terrorist watch lists are checked. Ø Sensenbrenner Amendment. To reduce the maximum sentence for illegal entry and illegal presence to six months. Ø Velazquez Amendment. Regarding reducing the immigration application processing backlog. Ø Norwood Amendment. To assert that state and local law enforcement personnel have the authority to enforce immigration law, and to provide additional resources to assist state and local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws. Ø Tancredo Amendment. To prohibit the Attorney General from allocating funds under the SCAAP program to any state or local government that restricts its officials from transmitting information regarding an individual’s immigration status to DHS. Ø Nadler Amendment. To strike the “expedited removal” section in the bill (section 407). Ø Myrick Amendment. To require the removal of an unauthorized alien on the 1st drunk-driving conviction. Ø Shadegg Amendment. To increase penalties for document fraud and for crimes of violence and drug trafficking offenses committed by illegal aliens. Ø Shadegg Amendment. Regarding human trafficking and human smuggling. Ø Westmoreland Amendment. To set caps on the employer sanctions monetary penalties. Ø Gonzalez Amendment. To increase fines on businesses for knowingly hiring unauthorized aliens to $50,000. Proceeds would be shared with state and local governments. Ø Bradley Amendment. Regarding reports on the implementation of the employment verification system. Ø Sullivan Amendment. To require all non-citizens to be processed through US-VISIT. Ø Ryun Amendment. To establish the Oath of Renunciation and Allegiance as Federal law. Ø Royce Amendment. To state that no immigration benefit may be granted to an alien until fingerprint checks are conducted. Ø Gerlach Amendment. To exempt members of the Armed Forces from certain current naturalization requirements. |
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