C/O Legal Insurrection

By Printus LeBlanc

The same people that complained a memo would damage national security are about to shut down the national security apparatus for illegal immigrants. Later this week the government will run out of funding unless the Senate can pass an appropriations bill. The responsibility lies with the Senate because while the House has done their job, the Senate is depending on antiquated rules to stop them from working.

The next #shumershutdown2.0 is likely to happen later this week. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) refuses to fund the government unless amnesty is granted to millions of illegal immigrants. President Trump has stated he is willing to compromise, but the Democrats have thrown nothing but insults at him demanding full amnesty. It is clear the Democrats do not want a deal but instead want something to galvanize their base in November.

Senate rule XXII is known as the “cloture” rule. The rule allows the Senate to end a filibuster with 60 votes. It was adopted in 1917 and changed in 1975. The idea behind the rule changes was to limit the filibuster, but it has had the opposite effect. Now a filibuster doesn’t even need to be launched to stop legislation, just the threat of a filibuster will prevent a majority of Senators from doing their job.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) must change the rules. There is nothing in the Constitution about a 60-vote threshold for legislation. If someone wants to filibuster legislation, make them muster up the support and speak for hours. This nonsense of saying we will filibuster without actually filibustering must stop. The Senate Majority Leader should make the Senators stand up for hours and talk if they really want to filibuster.

Not only should the Senate end the ridiculous 60 vote rule, but they should also take up the House appropriations bill. The House appropriations bill already addresses many of the issues President Trump campaigned on. It increases military spending, funds the border wall, and defunds sanctuary cities, three promises President Trump made in the election.

Not only did the President make the promises, but most members ran on the same promises. Rep Tom Graves (R-Ga.) has been one key promoters of defunding sanctuary cities. Graves co-sponsored and voted for both H.R. 3003, No Sanctuary for Criminals Act and H.R. 3004, Kate’s Law. Both pieces of legislation remove federal law enforcement grants from sanctuary jurisdictions and toughen the penalties for illegal immigrants that re-enter the U.S.

Graves stated, “America should be a sanctuary for law-abiding citizens. But in certain cities across the country, people who came here illegally, including criminals, are given refuge. Not only does this practice erode the rule of law, but it also puts Americans at risk, such as Kathryn Steinle who was murdered by an illegal immigrant and seven-time convicted felon while walking with her father on a pier in San Francisco. These bills will help us end sanctuary cities and prevent more horrific crimes.”

Americans for Limited Government Rick Manning stated, “Unfortunately, the time for nostalgia about Senates past where bipartisanship could be attained is long over. It is ridiculous the minority in the Senate is allowed to play brinksmanship games repeatedly and it’s time for the Senate to eliminate the lazy filibuster on spending bills, so they can return to regular order.”

The House has done their job and passed 12 appropriations bills. The same cannot be said for the Senate. The Senate should pick up the House bills and vote on them. The House bills have the priorities of the President and the people in them. It funds the military while defunding sanctuary cities. The Senate should not let the American people be taken hostage by Chuck Schumer again, simply because he wants amnesty for illegal immigrants because the Democrat party is running out of voters.

Printus LeBlanc is a contributing editor at Americans for Limited Government