Capitol Connection: September 17 to September 22, 2006

A Weekly Update from Congress

Published: September 22, 2006

 

Protecting Communities by Strengthening Our Borders

This week the House passed three major immigration and border security bills that were co-authored by Congressman Miller. These three bills are on their way to the Senate to ensure they can be signed into law as soon as possible.

The Community Protection Act will ensure dangerous criminal illegal aliens are not released back into our communities. It will also speed up the deportation of criminal illegal aliens and toughen laws against illegal immigrant gang members.

The Immigration Law Enforcement Act gives state and local law enforcement the tools they need to voluntarily help federal officials enforce our nation's immigration laws by reaffirming their authority to investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, and detain illegal immigrants. In addition, it closes loopholes that have hurt the Department of Homeland Security's ability to enforce immigration laws and authorizes an increase in the number of attorneys to prosecute alien smuggling cases.

The Border Tunnel Prevention Act imposes harsh jail time for those that construct or finance the construction of border tunnels, allow tunnels to be built on their property, or smuggle illegal aliens, terrorists, weapons, or drugs.

 

House Passes Voter Identification Bill

This week, the House passed the Federal Election Integrity Act, a bill to tighten identification requirements for voting in federal elections.  To help prevent voter fraud, the Act would require all voters to provide photo identification prior to casting their vote. Beginning in 2010, voters would be required to show photo identification that demonstrates proof of American citizenship.  Congressman Miller strongly supported the measure, which passed 228 to 196.

 

Secretary of the Interior to Visit Area, Hold Listening Session

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne will attend a Cooperative Conservation Listening Session in Colton , California , on Thursday, September 28, 2006. The session will take place at Colton High School Auditorium, 777 West Valley Boulevard , starting at 10:00 AM. This event is one in a series of public meetings across the country to solicit and exchange ideas on incentives, partnership programs, and regulations that promote cooperative conservation and environmental partnerships. It also provides an excellent forum for individuals to share their thoughts about the current implementation of the Endangered Species Act. Members of the public are invited to attend.

 

District Office Internships Available

Congressman Miller is seeking college graduates and current college students to serve as interns in his Brea district office for the Fall semester.  A Congressional internship will offer students the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge of the operations of the federal government, constituent services, and intergovernmental relations. Interns will assist the staff in performing a variety of tasks including but not limited to front desk reception, constituent services, special projects, and may be involved in some fieldwork. This is an unpaid position.  For more information, please call (714) 257-1142.