Op-ed: Goode News
by Congressman Virgil Goode
Several members of the leadership in the House of Representatives are seeking to block completion of the border fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.
As you know, I have long been a supporter of erecting a fence along the southern border and was the first to introduce such a fence bill in the House of Representatives. To do so will impede the flow of illegal immigrants, would-be terrorists and drugs.
Two years ago, the House included the fence amendment in legislation that was signed into law. While construction of the fence has been slow, it is being built, and recently the President directed that environmental laws should be waived in order for the fence to be completed. Those from the House who oppose the President's waiver have filed a court action seeking to have the waiver overturned.
One of the leaders who opposed the border fence from the beginning, was quoted in the media as saying, "Our responsibility to be stewards of the earth cannot be thrown aside for the sake of an ill-conceived border fence."
This action in the House comes at the same time as the House leadership continues to block a House vote on a bipartisan border security bill. The Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act (SAVE) is sponsored by a Republican and a Democrat and is aimed at strengthening border security and ensuring that employers verify that their workers are legal.
Congresswoman Thelma Drake of Virginia is spearheading the effort to get the required number of signatures of House members to force a vote on the SAVE Act. As of this writing, 187 House members, including me, have signed the discharge petition. It requires 218 signatures to force the leadership to bring the bill to the floor.
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