FORUM |
Voted on House floor for amendment to end visa lottery in 2005
Importing Specific Foreign
WorkerstopVoted
in favor of amendment to prohibit immigration increases in Free Trade
Agreements in 2005 Rep. Sullivan voted in favor of the Tancredo Amendment to H.R. 2862, the Science, State, Justice, Commerce (SSJC), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006. The Tancredo Amendment would have prohibited the use of SSJC funds to include in any bilateral or multilateral trade agreement any provisions that would increase immigration. This effectively would have prevented the U.S. Trade Representative from including immigration increases in Free Trade Agreements (as occured with the Sinagpore and Chile Free Trade Agreements, for instance). The Tancredo Amendment failed by a vote of 106 to 322. Voted in favor of preventing illegal aliens from voting in union elections Rep.
Sullivan voted in favor of a Motion to Recommit H.R. 800, the
Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. The Motion to Recommit, introduced
by Rep. McKeon (R-CA), would have recommitted H.R. 800 to the Committee
on Education and Labor with instructions to report the legislation back
to the House with an amendment that would require that all employees
allowed to vote in union elections be citizens or legal residents of
the United States. This would have prevented illegal aliens from voting
in unionization elections. This would have been an important interior
enforcement measure because illegal aliens should not be allowed to
have an influence in whether a workforce decides to be unionized or
to block unionization. Businesses should not be allowed to use illegal
aliens to stop unionization desired by its American workers. And unions
should not be allowed to use illegal aliens to force unionization on
American workers who don't want it. Although some Representatives voted
against the Motion to Recommit because it would have delayed final passage
of the bill, a vote in favor of the Motion to Recommit was clearly a
vote in favor of interior enforcement and against allowing illegal aliens
to vote in union elections. Motion to The Motion to Recommit failed
by a vote of 202-225. Voted in favor
of bill to increase interior enforcement in 2006 Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of H.R. 6095, the Immigration Law Enforcement Act of
2006>Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 which would clarify
state and local law enforcement’s inherent authority to enforce
Federal immigration laws and overturn a decades-old court injunction
that impedes the Federal government’s ability to remove aliens
from El Salvador on an expedited basis. H.R. 6095 passed by a vote of
277-140. Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Protection Act of 2006
that would penalize any person constructing or financing a border tunnel
with up to 20 years’ imprisonment and anybody who recklessly permits
others to construct or use such a tunnel on their land with up to 10
years’ imprisonment; would punish those who use a border tunnel
to smuggle aliens (including terrorists and criminals), weapons, drugs,
and other illicit goods by doubling the sentence for the underlying
offense (i.e., up to 40 years’ imprisonment). H.R. 4830 passed
by a vote of 422 to 0. Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act of 2006. H.R. 6061:
requires the Department of Homeland Security to construct 700 miles
of reinforced fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border; provides for the
installation of additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras,
and sensors in five specified lengths (encompassing approximately 700
miles) along the United States’ southwestern border; requires
DHS to study the necessity, feasibility, and economic impact of constructing
a similar barrier along the U.S.-Canada border; enhances border infrastructure,
including checkpoints, roads, and vehicle barriers; and requires DHS
to achieve and maintain "operational control" of our borders
within 18 months of enactment and require reports on the progress toward
this goal. H.R. 6061 passed by a vote of 283-138-1 (1 denotes a vote
of "present.") Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of the King Amendment to H.R. 5441, the fiscal year
2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill. The
amendment would deny federal homeland security funding to state and
local governments who refuse to share information with Federal immigration
authorities. The King Amendment would be a huge incentive to rescind
the policies that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and, potentially,
terrorists, by denying states and localities that enact them some Federal
funding. Sanctuary policies bar public officials, including police officers,
from asking an individual's immigration status and from reporting illegal
aliens to federal authorities. In 1996, Congress passed a law that specifically
prohibits state and local governments from enacting sanctuary policies.
Despite that, cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and
Houston, still have sanctuary policies in place. Maine is the only state
with a sanctuary policy. The amendment passed by a vote of 218 to 179.
Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of the Tancredo Amendment to H.R. 5541, the fiscal year
2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill. The
Tancredo Amendment would prohibit funds appropriated by H.R. 5441 from
being used to administer the continuation of Temporary Protected Status
(TPS) for nationals of Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua announced by
DHS before the bill's enactment. Temporary Protected Status provides
a temporary amnesty for certain illegal aliens from designated countries.
The Tancredo Amendment failed by a vote of 184-284-1 (the "1"
was a "present" vote). Rep. Sullivan voted in favor of the Marshall Amendment to H.R. 5441, the fiscal year 2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill. The Marshall Amendment would increase funding for USCIS' employment verification program by $20 million. This program , which is currently voluntary, allows employers to electronically check the eligibility of new employees to work in the United States. However, in December, 2005, the House passed H.R. 4437 which makes the program mandatory. The Marshall Amendment would fund this program. The Marshall Amendment passed by a vote of 358-63. Voted on floor of the House for final passage of border security and enforcement bill in 2005
Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of the Sullivan Amendment to H.R. 4437, the Border Protection,
Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. The Sullivan
Amendment requires full implementation of the automated entry-exit system
that was instituted by Congress in 1996. As well, it requires the removal
of unlawfully present aliens unless they fear persecution at home or
are seeking asylum. It also reinforces the important role of state and
local law enforcement in the fight against illegal immigration. The
Sullivan Amendment failed by a vote of 163 to 251. Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of the Hunter Amendment to H.R. 4437, the Border Protection,
Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. The Hunter
Amendment would shore up security by building fences and other physical
infrastructure to keep out illegal aliens. Specifically, it mandates
the construction of specific security fencing, including lights and
cameras, along the Southwest border for the purposes of gaining operational
control of the border. As well, it includes a requirement for the Secretary
of Homeland Security to conduct a study on the use of physical barriers
along the Northern border. The Hunter Amendment passed by a vote of
260-159.
Rep. Sullivan voted
against the Obey amendment ( H. Amdt. 144) to H.R. 2360, the
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The Obey amendment
provided $100 million to fund grants under the REAL ID Act to assist
States in conforming with minimum drivers’ license standards.
The Obey amendment passed by a vote of 226-198. Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of H. Amdt. 206 to H.R. 1815. The amendment authorizes
the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the military, under certain
circumstances, to assist the Bureau of Border Security and U.S. Customs
Service of the Department of Homeland Security on preventing the entry
of terrorists, drug traffickers, and illegal aliens into the United
States The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Goode of Virginia, passed the
House by a vote of 245-184. Rep. Sullivan voted
on the floor of the House in favor of H.R. 418, the REAL ID Act.
This legislation would set federal standards for the issuance of drivers'
licenses and require proof of "legal presence" in order to
obtain a driver's license. This would make illegal aliens ineligible
for drivers' licenses. As well, H.R. 418 would tie the driver's license
expiration date of a temporary visa holder to the expiration date of
their visa so that those who enter the country legally as visa holders,
but become illegal aliens by overstaying their visas will not have a
valid driver's license after the date of the expiration of their visa.
In addition, H.R. 418 includes provisions to broaden the terrorism-related
grounds for inadmissibility and deportability of aliens, and to complete
construction of the San Diego border fence. H.R. 418 would deter illegal
immigration by making it more difficult for illegal aliens to enter
and to remain in the United States. It also would reduce significantly
the risk that terrorists will be able to game our asylum system or avoid
removal because of loopholes in our immigration laws. H.R. 418 was passed
by the House of Representatives by a vote of 261-161. Rep. Sullivan voted
against the Nadler Amendment to H.R. 418. The Nadler Amendment
was an amendment to strike Section 101 of H.R. 418. Section 101 of H.R.
418 is the section includes reforms of our asylum laws to prevent terrorists
from gaming our asylum system. Specifically, it includes provisions
to ensure that our asylum system is consistent with our justice system
in which the trier of fact is always allowed to use the credibility
of the defendant and witnesses in deciding the case. Requiring an asylum
claimant to bear the burden of proof is consistent both with our justice
system and with international law, which says we must grant asylum to
an alien who has been persecuted or has a well-founded fear of persecution
on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular
social group, or political opinion (the five grounds agreed upon in
the Geneva Convention). The Nadler Amendment failed by a vote of 185-236.
Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of the rule that incorporated the Manager's Amendment to H.R.
418 (H. Res. 75). H.R. 418 was brought to the House floor for
consideration under a rule that incorporated an amendment by the bill's
sponsor, Chairman Sensenbrenner. Because the rule included the amendment,
a vote for the rule did two things: 1) like any rule for consideration,
it established the time limits for debate of the bill and permitted
the debate to begin; and 2) it added the text of the Manager's Amendment
to the original bill. The Manager's Amendment included the following
changes to strengthen the provisions of H.R. 418: requires immigration
judges to determine an alien's credibility before granting relief or
protection from removal; limits deportable aliens' ability to stall
their deportation by filing endless appeals in court; and strikes both
the section of the bill that explicitly recognizes states' ability to
issue "driving certificates" that do not comply with the standards,
and the provision that permits the Department of Homeland Security to
regulate such alternative licenses. The Manager's Amendment also included
a provision to eliminate the cap of 10,000 per year on the number of
asylees who may apply for adjustment to permanent resident status after
residing in the U.S. for at least one year following the grant of asylum.
However the rest of the provisions of the Manager's Amendment more than
make up this provision, since asylees already are virtually assured
permanent resident status eventually. The Manager's Amendment passed
by a vote of 228-198. Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of the Ose Amendment to H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations
Implementation Act. The Ose Amendment would have ensured completion
of the last 14 miles of the San Diego border fence. This would serve
as a physical barrier to additional illegal immigration. While the border
fence will segment the habitat of a few species and cause localized
habitat destruction in the immediate construction zone, it will reduce
the widespread destruction of habitat for all species that is caused
by large numbers of illegal aliens trampling through pristine areas,
leaving huge quantities of trash and human waste, and building campfires
that too often turn into devastating wildfires. The Ose Amendment passed
by a vote of 252-160.
Rep. Sullivan voted
against the Smith Amendment to H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations
Implementation Act. The Smith Amendment would have stripped the expanded
expedited removal provision from H.R. 10 that requires DHS to utilize
expedited removal in the case of all aliens who have entered the U.S.
illegally and have not been present in the U.S. for 5 years. This is
the provision that had the potential to dramatically increase deportations
of illegal aliens by eliminating the appeals process. Somewhere around
2.5 million illegal aliens could be subject to the expedited removal
provision. The Smith Amendment failed by a vote of 203-210. Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation
Act. H.R. 10 represented the primary legislative response in the House
of Representatives to the recommendations of The National Commission
on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9-11 Commission). The 9-11
Commission made several recommendations with regard to immigration that,
in the Commission's opinion, would increase security and help prevent
a future attack. Many of the Commission's immigration recommendations
were included in H.R. 10 such as provisions to: prohibit driver's licenses
to illegal aliens; expedite removal of illegal aliens; increase Border
Patrol and ICE agents; and prevent Federal agencies from accepting or
recognizing consular ID as valid proof of identity. H.R. 10 passed by
a vote of 282-134. Rep. Sullivan voted
against a Motion to Recommit with Instructions on H.R. 10, the
9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act. H.R. 10 represents the primary
legislative response in the House of Representatives to the recommendations
of The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
(9-11 Commission). The 9-11 Commission made several recommendations
with regard to immigration that, in the Commission's opinion, would
increase security and help prevent a future attack. Many of the Commission's
immigration recommendations were included in H.R. 10 such as provisions
to: prohibit driver's licenses to illegal aliens; expedite removal of
illegal aliens; increase Border Patrol and ICE agents; and prevent Federal
agencies from accepting or recognizing consular ID as valid proof of
identity. The Motion to Recommit, introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney
(D-NY), would have effectively stripped ALL of the immigration provisions
from H.R. 10, thus removing all of the measures that were based upon
the immigration-related recommendations of the 9-11 Commission. The
Motion to Recommit failed by a vote of 193-223. Rep. Sullivan voted
against the Menendez Amendment to H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations
Implementation Act. H.R. 10 represented the primary legislative response
in the House of Representatives to the recommendations of The National
Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9-11 Commission).
The 9-11 Commission made several recommendations with regard to immigration
that, in the Commission's opinion, would increase security and help
prevent a future attack. Many of the Commission's immigration recommendations
were included in H.R. 10 such as provisions to: prohibit driver's licenses
to illegal aliens; expedite removal of illegal aliens; increase Border
Patrol and ICE agents; and prevent Federal agencies from accepting or
recognizing consular ID as valid proof of identity. The Menendez Amendment
would have stripped ALL of the immigration provisions from H.R. 10,
thus removing all of the measures that were based upon the immigration-related
recommendations of the 9-11 Commission. The Menendez Amendment failed
by a vote of 203-213.
Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of the Hayworth Amendment (H. AMDT 745) to H.R. 5006,
the Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill. The amendment would have
prohibited any funding in the bill from being used to pay Social Security
Administration (SSA) employees to administer any benefits that would
not be payable but for a totalization agreement with Mexico. The effect
of this would be to prevent the U.S.-Mexico totalization agreement from
taking effect -- at least during FY 2005 -- since SSA employees could
not be paid for any work they do to determine or pay benefits under
the agreement. The U.S.-Mexico totalization agreement would allow both
legal AND illegal aliens working in the United States to qualify for
Social Security benefits. The amendment failed by a vote of 178-225.
Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of the King Amendment (H. AMDT 655) to the Commerce, Justice,
State, Appropriations Act of 2005, H.R. 4754, that would have
increased funding to the Justice Department for enforcing current federal
law against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens. Sanctuary policies
bar public officials, including police officers, from asking an individual's
immigration status to determine eligibility for public services and
from reporting illegal aliens to federal authorities. In 1996, Congress
passed a law that specifically prohibits state and local governments
from enacting sanctuary policies. Despite that, cities such as San Francisco,
Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, still have sanctuary policies in place.
Maine is the only state with a sanctuary policy. The King Amendment
would have allowed the Justice Department to more fully enforce federal
law against policies that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and,
potentially, terrorists. The amendment failed by a vote of 139-278.
Rep. Sullivan voted
in favor of the Goode Amendment to H.R. 4200, to authorize the
Secretary of Defense to assign members of the military, under certain
circumstances, to assist the Department of Homeland Security in the
performance of border control functions. The Goode Amendment passed
the House by a vote of 231-191.
Voted to authorize the use of the military to assist in border control functions in 2003
Voted AGAINST Section
245(i), a form
of amnesty for illegal aliens in 2002 Rep. Sullivan voted AGAINST H RES 365 which was brought up and passed in a new form in March of 2002. The vote against the bill was a vote against rewarding illegal aliens via a four-month reinstatement of Section 245(i). That is an expired immigration provision that allows illegal aliens with qualified relatives or employers in the U.S. to pay a $1,000 fine, to apply for a green card in this country, and to be allowed to stay in this country without fear of deportation until their turn arrives for a green card years, and even decades, later. The illegal aliens also would not have to go through the usual security screening in U.S. embassies in their home countries. The lowest estimate from supporters of the bill was that some 200,000 illegal aliens would benefit. H RES 365 also included language that would have implemented some important visa-tracking regulations helpful to discouraging illegal immigration. But all of those provisions had already been passed previously in H.R. 3525, making the assistance to illegal aliens the sole purpose of the bill.Rep. Sullivan was one of 137 Representatives who voted AGAINST the 245(i) amnesty. The bill narrowly passed by a vote of 275 to 137 (a two-thirds majority was needed in order to pass).
_____________________________________________________________________________ THESE ARE THE SENATORS WHO VOTED TO GIVE ILLEGAL ALIENS SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS. REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL PARTY, THESE POLITICIANS NEED TO BE DEFEATED IN 2006, 2008 OR 2010 WHENEVER THEY COME UP FOR OFFICE. SEND THIS TO ANYONE YOU KNOW IN ANY OF THE STATES LISTED. THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES NEED TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION. THAT IS UNLESS THEY DO NOT MIND SHARING THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY WITH FOREIGN WORKERS WHEN AMERICAN CITIZENS ARE BEING LEFT OUT. Grouped by Home State Alabama: Alaska: Stevens (R-AK), Yea Arizona: McCain (R-AZ), Yea Arkansas: Lincoln (D-AR), Yea Pryor (D-AR), Yea California: Boxer (D-CA), Yea Feinstein (D-CA), Yea Colorado: Salazar (D-CO), Yea Connecticut: Dodd (D-CT), Yea Lieberman (D-CT), Yea Delaware: Biden (D-DE), Yea Carper (D-DE), Yea Florida: Martinez (R-FL), Yea Georgia: Hawaii: Akaka (D-HI), Yea Inouye (D-HI), Yea Idaho: Illinois: Durbin (D-IL), Yea Obama (D-IL), Yea Indiana: Bayh (D-IN), Yea Lugar (R-IN), Yea Iowa: Harkin (D-IA), Yea Kansas: Brownback (R-KS), Yea Kentucky: Louisiana: Landrieu (D-LA), Yea Maine: Maryland: Mikulski (D-MD), Yea Sarbanes (D-MD), Yea Massachusetts: Kennedy (D-MA), Yea Kerry (D-MA), Yea Michigan: Levin (D-MI), Yea Stabenow (D-MI), Yea Minnesota: Mississippi: Missouri: Montana: Baucus (D-MT), Yea Nebraska: Hagel (R-NE), Yea Nevada: Reid (D-NV), Yea New Hampshire: New Jersey: Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea Menendez (D-NJ), Yea New Mexico: Bingaman (D-NM), Yea New York: Clinton (D-NY), Yea Schumer (D-NY), Yea North Carolina: North Dakota: Dorgan (D-ND), Yea Ohio: DeWine (R-OH), Yea Voinovich (R-OH), Yea Oklahoma: Oregon: Wyden (D-OR), Yea Pennsylvania: Specter (R-PA), Yea Rhode Island: Chafee (R-RI), Yea Reed (D-RI), Yea South Carolina: Graham (R-SC), Yea South Dakota: Johnson (D-SD), Yea Tennessee: Texas: Utah: Vermont: Jeffords (I-VT), Yea Leahy (D-VT), Yea Virginia: Washington: Cantwell (D-WA), Yea Murray (D-WA), Yea West Virginia: Rockefeller (D-WV), Not Voting Wisconsin: Feingold (D-WI), Yea Kohl (D-WI), Yea Wyoming: |
| Sullivan Supports Committee Passage of Video Franchising Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Sullivan, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, voted to pass the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement (COPE) Act of 2006. This important legislation will give consumers more choices in their local video service provider and allow competition into the video service market. “The COPE Act will finally give consumers more control over their local video service provider,” Sullivan said. “Since many markets have had no choice of video service providers for years, allowing for more competition gives consumers the opportunity to choose what services and company fits them best.” Video service providers are defined as telecommunications companies who offer cable television service to residents in a given area. These include direct broadcast satellite services, traditional local cable television companies and telephone carriers who offer TV service. Many markets have only had one provider to choose from because of long standing regulations requiring these companies to acquire a local franchise in each individual community prior to offering cable service in that community. This legislation creates a national franchising system for all entrants who offer subscription television, therefore eliminating the need for each company to go through a lengthy and costly process of obtaining local permission. In addition, this legislation requires cable and telephone providers to offer broadband Internet services to their customers without requiring them to subscribe to any of the other services the company provides (telephone, cable, etc.). This allows for consumer to retain total control of what services they choose to subscribe to, based on what fits their needs and budget. “This landmark, forward-looking legislation has been years in the making. It will increase competition in the video market and allow all Americans to choose a video service provider without hindrance by arcane local and national rules,” Sullivan said. “By increasing competition in all markets, especially in telecommunications, competition will flourish, which is a win-win situation for all consumers.” |
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Deal Reached on Compromise Immigration Reform Package 04/06/06 Continued from front page: "While it admittedly is not perfect, the choice we have to make is whether the bill is better than no bill. And I think that is decisive," said Specter, who supported the Democrat-favored bill. |
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Revitalizing Refining Capacity In September of 2005 the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing to discuss hurricane recovery efforts. At the hearing, Congressman Sullivan addressed the nation's oil refining capacity. Nearly 50 percent of our nation’s refining capacity is located in the region of Hurricane Katrina. The Congressman pointed out that our refining capacity is inadequate. A new refinery has not been built in over 30 years in the U.S. |
PRESIDENT BUSH WORRIED ABOUT U.S. PORT DEAL WASHINGTON — President Bush on Friday said he's worried that this week's meltdown of a U.S. ports deal with a United Arab Emirates-owned company could send the wrong message to important allies in the Middle East. |
| CONGRESSMAN SULLIVAN PLEASED WITH HANDOVER IN PORT DEAL WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sullivan issued the following statement regarding the decision by Dubai Port World to transfer its operations of six American ports to a U.S. company: “Securing our nation’s ports is vital to protecting Americans against terrorism. My constituents have repeatedly contacted me over the last few weeks to express their outrage over this issue. In addition, I have expressed grave concerns regarding this deal and am pleased that my colleagues in the House took action against this proposal, hearing loud and clear the security concerns of the American people. Port security is a vital step in maintaining border security and national security.” |
WASHINGTON -- Recruiters Allowed on Campus--The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that colleges that accept federal money must allow military recruiters on campus, despite university objections to the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays. Source: Newsmax.com 3-6-06 |
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Senate Passes Patriot Act WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to renew the USA Patriot Act, after months of pitched debate over legislation that supporters said struck a better balance between privacy rights and the government's power to hunt down terrorists. This news is from Newsmax.com |
| Sullivan Works to Reduce Federal Spending WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative John Sullivan (OK-01) was joined today by 216 U.S. House of Representatives colleagues in passing the first deficit reduction bill in almost 10 years. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, H.R. 4241, provides $39 billion in savings over 5 years in the government’s mandatory spending programs, which are not subject to the annual appropriations process. “The Deficit Reduction Act is not just about saving money; it is about ensuring that our largest, most critical government programs are meeting their core missions – to help those most in need,” Sullivan said. Many of our largest mandatory entitlement programs spend billions of taxpayer dollars each year. Over time, these programs must be modernized and improved to keep up with innovations in technology and changes in the marketplace. |
| Statement by Congressman John Sullivan on Lobbying Reform WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed today H. Res. 648, which bars former members of Congress who are registered lobbyists from the House floor and gymnasium. The resolution is the first of several pieces of legislation expected to be introduced in an effort to reform lobbying regulations. Congressman John Sullivan issued the following statement: “This resolution is the first step in the process of reforming lobbying practices and regaining the trust of the American public. Lobbying regulations must be clearly defined and strictly enforced to ensure voters are being honestly represented by their elected Members. “In the President’s State of the Union address last night he remarked on reforming the ethical standards in Washington D.C. I agree with him that we must ensure that the oath we take as federal officials must be upheld. I recently worked with my colleagues to introduce a bill that requires Federal employees who have been convicted of a crime to forfeit their pensions. This pension forfeiture is practiced in the private sector and we must hold government officials to the same strict standards of accountability.” |
| Statement by Congressman John Sullivan on the President’s State of the Union Address WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congressman John Sullivan released the following statement regarding President Bush’s State of the Union address to the joint session of Congress: “Tonight, the President spoke to the country and to Congress about the responsibility of the U.S. to lead. We must continue to promote peace and democracy throughout the world, and prosperity here at home. We can no longer afford to put a band-aid on problems such as rising gas prices, foreign policy, our domestic economy, and the health of our citizens. These are issues that we must combat head-on with bold leadership and drive. Often, it is far easier to maintain the status quo than to lead the charge, but without vision and resolve we become second best in an advancing world. “Oklahoma has long been a leader in energy production and is in a prime position to help fulfill our nation’s energy needs. Around the world, countries are developing and utilizing alternative fuels, and the United States must join in developing these technologies. We have always had the brainpower and manpower in Oklahoma to help fill our nation’s energy gap. Not only can we contribute by increasing our gas and oil production, but as energy technology evolves, Oklahoma will remain at the forefront of this important industry. Our dependence on foreign oil has gone on for too long; it is a vulnerability that we must end before it is exploited. “The President rightly addressed the tone in Washington D.C. Congress must regain the trust of the American public through proactive leadership. I recently worked with my colleagues to introduce a bill that requires Federal employees who have been convicted of a crime to forfeit their pensions. This pension forfeiture is practiced in the private sector and we must hold government officials to the same strict standards of accountability. “Finally, we must continue our steadfast resolve in the war on terror. To achieve this goal, we must secure our borders. Every day, illegal aliens are crossing into the United States without detection and with fraudulent identification. These aliens come from all over the world, including countries that harbor enemies of the U.S. Border security is national security. We have to demonstrate that we can effectively enforce immigration laws before even considering a guest worker policy. While our troops are fighting a foreign enemy abroad and working to secure Iraq, we must ensure they have a nation with protected borders when they come home.” |
| Statement by Congressman John Sullivan on Palestine Elections WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Sullivan (OK-01) released this statement following the President’s remarks on the topic of immigration reformPalestinians voted yesterday to replace the longtime rule of the Fatah party, and elected the Hamas party, a known terrorist organization, to govern the Palestinian people. Congressman John Sullivan (R-OK) issued the following remarks: |
Statement by Congressman John Sullivan on the President’s Budget Request WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Bush sent his proposed FY2007 federal budget to Congress today, outlining his requests for spending. Congressman John Sullivan (R-OK) issued the following remarks: “We owe the American taxpayers a fiscally responsible budget. Soon, Congress will work toward the goal of reigning in spending, reducing the federal deficit, protecting our citizens from terrorism, and continuing America’s strong economic growth. Government spending is at an all time high, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and the President to ensure that vital programs receive funding and that ineffective or duplicative programs are eliminated. “The unemployment rate has dropped to 4.7 percent, the lowest it has been since July 2001; 4.7 million jobs have been created in a little over two years, more jobs than Japan and the European Union combined; and our economy is growing faster than other major industrialized nations. We must continue our successful policies that have encouraged a strong economy and job creation.” “The budget proposal is putting the cart before the horse on immigration issues. The President’s budget includes $247 million to implement a Temporary Worker Program, possibly granting legal status to illegal aliens. I am concerned this program could develop into amnesty for illegal aliens, something I have been working against for years. I believe funds should be put towards enforcing our current immigration laws before we create a new program. Simply put, Congress must fund enforcement first. The President’s budget proposal does add funding for new border patrol agents and detention beds; however, these numbers come up short.” |
SULLIVAN LEGISLATION HONORS OKLAHOMA VETERAN AND THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN TO RECEIVE THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR Names Tulsa VA Outpatient Clinic after Ernest Childers
“I am pleased to introduce legislation to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma as the Ernest Childers VA Outpatient Clinic to honor one of our nation’s finest military heroes,” Sullivan said. “Lieutenant Colonel Childers’s contributions to our American armed forces will be forever remembered by his fellow Creek Indians and by all Oklahomans.” The middle of five children, Childers enlisted in the Okalahoma National Guard at Chilocco Indian School in 1937. After completing basic training at Fort Sill, he was deployed to Africa in World War II. Childers also served the U.S. Army in Austria, Panama, Korea, Alaska, Georgia, California, Kansas and Oklahoma prior to his retirement in August of 1965. In addition to receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor, Childers was the recipient of 13 medals and bars, including the Purple Heart and the Oklahoma Distinguished Service Cross. Childers was honored in 1966 by the Tulsa Chapter of the Council of American Indians as “Oklahoma’s Most Outstanding Indian” and, in 1985, the Ernest Childers Middle School was dedicated in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He passed away on March 17, 2005 after a long illness and was survived by his wife, Yolanda, and their three children. “We were honored to have him grace us with his model character, defend us with his bravery, and leave us all with an example of a life well-lived.” “Lt. Col. Childers holds the distinction of being the first Native American to received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery and heroic efforts in World War II when his selfless actions allowed American troops to successfully advance and win the Battle of Oliveto, Italy,” Sullivan said. “Along with the entire Oklahoma delegation, I am humbled to introduce this legislation to honor his life and legacy.” |
HOUSE CONDEMNS HAMAS GOVERNED PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY
Congressman Sullivan issued the following statement on the passage of this legislation: “As long as Hamas continues to support atrocious terrorist attacks, the United States will not support them – financially or otherwise. In addition, the U.S. will not cooperate with countries which support the destruction of another country and the Hamas platform clearly advocates for Israel’s destruction. Our government has long supported the Palestinian people by sending almost $275 million in aid last year alone. However, with the Hamas party in control of parliament, they can not be trusted to see that the aid our country sends is used in an appropriate manner. Therefore, the U.S. must halt all aid to the Palestinian people while these terrorists run their government. As stewards to the American tax payer, it is Congress’ job to make sure that their tax money is not used to fund terrorist controlled countries. We must continue to support our democratic allies in Israel, as they strive for a peaceful existence with their neighbors in the Middle East” |
SULLIVAN QUESTIONS DECISION WHICH THREATENS U.S. PORT SECURITY WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, Congressman Sullivan issued the following statement regarding the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United State’s decision to allow a United Arab Emirates controlled company to take control over U.S. seaports: “Securing our nation’s ports is vital to protecting Americans against terrorists. Recently, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) approved a deal in which six ports up and down the U.S. East Coast, from New York to Miami, have been sold to Dubai Ports World, a United Arab Emirates (UAE) state-owned and controlled company. I am very concerned about the continued security of these ports at the hands of a country with known terrorist ties. We cannot let our port security, and in turn our national security, be compromised under the guise of foreign investment. President Bush has until March 2nd to overrule the approval of the sale and I encourage the President to examine all facets of the deal, especially our ability to ensure that the highest level of security is maintained. The forces of a market economy should function as free from government intervention as possible; however, we must take steps to ensure that our national security is not placed at risk by foreign investment, especially by state-owned entities. This is not the first time that CFIUS has approved a deal which could have been detrimental to America’s security. In July 2005, the Committee approved a bid for China National Offshore Oil Corporation to merge with American energy corporation UNOCAL. Eventually, UNOCAL’s board of directors decided to accept a revised bid from Chevron, keeping U.S. energy resources in American hands. It is vital that members of CFIUS and the Administration keep America’s national and economic security in the forefront of their minds when they are making decisions regarding foreign investments. I believe the Administration should conduct a thorough investigation of the sale, so that a full examination of Dubai Ports World and its roots in UAE become more transparent. Port security is a vital step in maintaining border security and thus national security.” |
NEW YORK — Isaac Hayes has quit "South Park," Associated Press 03/14/06 where he voices Chef, saying he can no longer stomach its take on religion. |