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A4 U.S. NEWS
Friday 13 July 2018

GOP eager for vote on liberal Democrats’ move to abolish ICE

By ALAN FRAM But in a tacit admission that
Associated Press Trump’s actions have left
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lib- them politically vulnerable,
eral Democrats unveiled members of the Republi-
doomed legislation Thurs- can-controlled committee
day aimed at abolishing accepted other Demo-
Immigration and Customs cratic proposals. One re-
Enforcement, their eyes fo- quires a government plan
cused on galvanizing vot- for tracking and reuniting
ers for the midterm elec- children separated from
tions. their families and imposes a
The House’s top Republi- small daily fine if it doesn’t
can scoffed that the mea- produce one. Republicans
sure makes him “feel very also won party-line ap-
good” about November. proval of language letting
GOP leaders moved to- federal officials hold chil-
ward scheduling a vote on dren for more than 20 days
the measure in hopes of when their parents face le-
embarrassing and dividing gal action for unauthorized
Democrats. entry to the U.S. The Trump
The dueling views of the administration wants to
bill’s potential impact are eliminate that 20-day limit
the latest example of how so it can detain entire fami-
immigration looms as a People hold a rally outside the Federal Courthouse in Bridgeport, Conn. on Wednesday, July 11, lies as it enforces its zero tol-
vote-moving issue this fall, 2018. erance policy.
when Democrats hope to Associated Press “All it does is keep families
wrest control of the House siana got a strongly favor- conducting roundups out- the legislation was aimed together while we’re in the
and perhaps the Senate able reaction from other side schools and job sites, at focusing attention on process of adjudication,”
from the GOP. Public con- top Republicans on Thurs- Republicans say it helps Trump’s policies and was said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Ok-
cern over the problem day when he suggested curb crime and illegal “not a serious attempt to la., the measure’s sponsor.
shows no signs of receding holding a vote on the mea- drugs. Republicans and do anything.” Voting “no,” Democrats say the admin-
soon, as the Trump admin- sure. The staffer spoke on some Democrats see abo- however, could alienate istration should let such
istration struggles to reunite condition of anonymity to lition as political overreach liberal voters. Under the bill, families go until they must
more than 2,000 migrant describe private conversa- that will help the GOP paint a commission would assign appear in court. Some Re-
children they’ve separated tions. Democratic candidates ICE’s duties to other agen- publicans have also op-
from parents caught enter- For liberal Democratic ac- as extremists. Underscor- cies and it would cease to posed the idea of holding
ing the U.S. illegally. tivists, the agency has be- ing its limited appeal, just exist within a year. The im- families until their cases are
“It’s the craziest position come a symbol of President eight other Democrats ini- migration fight also flared resolved.
I’ve ever seen, and they Donald Trump’s aggressive tially signed onto the mea- at the House Appropria- The House committee fight
are just tripping over them- enforcement of immigra- sure with Pocan. One who tions Committee, where was over amendments to
selves to move too far to tion laws, and abolishing it didn’t, Rep. Gerald Con- the two parties clashed this a massive spending bill fi-
the left,” House Speaker has morphed into a cam- nolly, D-Va., said it could week over Trump’s policy nancing health, educa-
Paul Ryan, R-Wis., told re- paign rallying cry. distract from the focus on of separating families. tion and labor programs,
porters Thursday about “The president is using ICE separating families, which Republicans on that panel a perpetually controversial
Democrats’ bill. “They’re as a mass-deportation polls show is highly unpopu- batted down Democratic measure that gets delayed
out of the mainstream of force to rip apart the moral lar. “Just when something proposals that undercut every year. The immigration
America, and that’s one of fabric of our nation,” said is working overwhelmingly, the administration’s zero provisions would only fur-
the reasons why I feel very Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., why would we decide to tolerance policy of pros- ther complicate passage.
good about this fall.” the lead sponsor. A day take a different course?” ecuting and detaining mi- The House rejected two
The measure erasing ICE earlier, he said in a brief in- Connolly said. grants caught entering the GOP immigration bills last
has no chance of going terview, “This is where the Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D- U.S. illegally. One Demo- month, and the Senate re-
anywhere in the GOP-run grassroots are.” Wash., another sponsor, cratic plan would have jected three plans in Feb-
House. A Republican aide While many liberals say ICE said backers would join blocked money for tent cit- ruary. Congress’ prospects
said No. 3 party leader has terrified the immigrant other Democrats and op- ies to house unaccompa- for approving anything
Rep. Steve Scalise of Loui- community by abusively pose their own bill. She said nied children. soon are bleak.q

House passes intelligence bill

By DEB RIECHMANN 54, would increase the pay “The bill takes steps to pre- the Energy Department to security.
Associated Press for intelligence employees vent a repeat of the Rus- coordinate intelligence on It also would require the
WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill with cyber skills and defend sian active measures cam- threats to U.S. infrastructure. national intelligence direc-
to authorize funding for in- against foreign threats to paign that targeted our It would require intelligence tor to study North Korean
telligence agencies and federal U.S. elections. 2016 election,” said Rep. agencies to provide Con- finances and trade net-
support critical national se- It would require intelligence Adam Schiff of Califor- gress with reports on leaks works, weapon sales, labor
curity programs especially agencies to brief key con- nia, the ranking Democrat of classified information; se- exports and supply chains
targeting Russia, China and gressional leaders if the U.S. on the House intelligence curity clearance backlogs; to help close gaps in eco-
North Korea, passed the faces meddling or a cyber committee. and the use of virtual cur- nomic sanctions as well as
House on Thursday. intrusion targeting a federal The 100-page bill calls for rencies in assessing finan- Iran’s support of proxy forc-
The bill, which passed 363- election. setting up a center within cial threats to U.S. national es in Syria and Lebanon.q