Posted by Frank James at 3:39 pm CDT
Congress’s summer recess is nearly over, in case anyone was wondering. So we were given advance notice today by Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) the House majority leader, of what to expect upon the House’s return.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s followed national politics in recent years to learn that the House will focus on security issues in September. It seems like any phrase with the word “security” in it will be part of the Republican pitch to voters who have in recent history viewed Republicans as better at on national security issues than Democrats.Taking their cue from the White House, congressional Republicans ran hard on national security and homeland security in the 2002 and 2004 and managed to hold onto control of the House and regain control of the Senate in that period.
This year, Republicans have added border security to the mix, a play for those voters troubled by illegal immigration and the Senate legislation that would offer legalization to millions of undocumented immigrants.
Republicans hope this security trinity will give them just enough of an edge to hold the House in what has shaped up to be a very competitive mid-term election. We’ll know in about 10 weeks whether it worked.
Read the press release from Rep. Boehner’s office below.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2006
Boehner: House GOP September Agenda to Focus on National Security, Homeland Security & Border Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today offered an overview of House Republicans’ September legislative agenda. Further details will be announced in the coming days. He issued the following statement:
“From homeland security to national security to border security, House Republicans will focus first and foremost on addressing the safety and security needs of the American people throughout the month of September.
“We will work to strengthen our homeland security by ensuring U.S. intelligence agencies have the tools necessary to stop terrorist plots before they happen. We don’t believe foreign terrorists deserve legal protections provided by the American justice system – the very system they seek to destroy – and that’s why we will authorize military tribunals to hold them accountable. We will work to provide our troops with every available resource necessary to carry out their mission and protect the American people. And we will provide additional resources to federal and state authorities to strengthen border patrol efforts and ensure our immigration laws are strictly enforced.
“Now is not the time for a weak and indecisive approach that has been offered by Capitol Hill Democrats, and that’s why Republicans are working to keep America safe through policies based on strength and purpose, rather than confusion and defeat.”
Among the legislative priorities focused on security that House Republicans expect to take action on this September:
Authorizing the President’s Terrorist Surveillance Program designed to identify and disrupt terror cells planning attacks against the U.S.;
Authorizing military tribunals for suspected terrorists;
A resolution recognizing the five-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks;
Strengthening border security;
Funding & Protecting American Troops (Defense authorization conference report and Defense & Military Quality of Life appropriations conference reports); and
Homeland Security appropriations conference report (including funding for border security fences and barriers).
In addition, House Republicans expect to act on other legislation as well. Those priorities, among others, include comprehensive earmark reform and additional legislation from the House GOP’s Suburban Agenda and American Values Agenda.
