Thursday, September 16, 2010

Hatch, former co-sponsor, opposes Dream Act



U.S. Sen Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, says Congress must "regain the faith of the American people" before taking up the Dream Act.

He said congress must first concentrate on securing the border and creating jobs.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said this week that he wants to add the Dream Act as an amendment to the upcoming defense policy bill.

The act applies to young people who came to the country when they were under 16 years of age and have been in the country five years. These students would have a chance to apply for citizenship if they complete two years of college or military service.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Utah Sens. Hatch and Bob Bennett both plan to vote against the Dream Act.

Bennett said he would stand with Reid if the Senate voted on the Dream Act separately from the defense bill.

“I support the Dream Act as free-standing legislation, but putting it in a bill that has a number of objectionable aspects is not something I support,” he said.

Bennett and Hatch are among a handful of Senate Republicans who have previously supported the Dream Act despite some conservatives criticizing the proposal as a form of amnesty.

AP PHOTO

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks like hatch is just playing typical Republican politics. Flip flop, flip flop, flip flop. Gotta appease the reich-wing fanatics of the party.

Karl said...

To the above poster, maybe when your wife or family is killed by an illegal alien or your job is supplanted by a lower-wage illegal, will you start to look at the reality of things than through your political prism.

Unknown said...

This is a typically biased and misleading headline. Hatch plans to vote against the legislation as it is being presented but supports the Dream Act as he always has as a separate bill.

Archiguy said...

Politics at its most despicable level. It's a defense policy bill; what could a Republican possibly oppose in that? Don't they just automatically rubber-stamp every defense bill that rolls down the pike?

Oh wait, they're opposing middle class tax relief to people who will actually spend it and boost the economy because millionaires who invest their tax breaks in things like, I dunno, sub-prime mortgages and credit default swaps will see theirs end.

Honestly, every time you think Congressional Republicans can't sink any lower, they somehow manage.

Ed Gonzalez said...

To Charlotte: I don't like Orrin Hatch, never have.

I am Hispanic. I am also a Republican.

And BTW, the reich was voted in by well meaning socialists and communists. Why do you think the Nazi flag is red?

wiley coyote said...

It bears reminding and repeating:

Illegal means illegal, period.

The Dream Act is a worthless piece of legislation.

Deport all illegals and show them the proper way into this country is through the FRONT DOOR.

Just Little Ole Me said...

Very cowardly to put the Dream Act in with a defense bill.

Larry said...

Sounds like a great government program. Maybe it will be this years cash for clunkers program.

FarRight said...

It is attached so the cowards will not have to vote Yea or Nay to allow some illegals amnesty.

heavymetal said...

I have an inherant dilike for "riders." I find them a cowardly way to get legislation passed that otherwise couldn't stand up to the solo scrutiny of daylight.

That being said, I do not understand the caveat in this bill for college students.
Make military service a quicker path to citizenship, and let the GI Bill would take care of the rest.

JimBfromNC said...

Hatch, Bennett and McCain sponsored attaching the DREAM Act to the 2007 Defense Authorization bill. I wonder what changed?