House Moves to Support Troops, Protect HomelandMarch 16, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- By an overwhelming majority, the House today passed legislation tying together funds for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan with a border security measure that enhances national security.

"A continuance in funding our mission in Iraq and Afghanistan is the right thing to do. There is no way this congressman would turn his back on the brave Americans working to promote peace and a democratically run government. I pray daily for all our Armed Forces, particularly the guardsmen and families from the 4th District who are currently serving. From my district the 278th is currently in theater, the 771st has just recently returned, and the 779th has just received activation orders. This legislation continues to fund and support the efforts of our servicemen and women who are dedicated to promoting freedom," said Rep. Lincoln Davis.

Needing a vehicle for advancement, the House appropriately added a measure that contains terrorist travel provisions left off the national intelligence reform bill last year. House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner along with Davis introduced the REAL ID Act earlier this year.

"Today the House took major steps in correcting our border security policy. It's my hope the Senate will do what is right for the American people and pass this legislation," said Davis.

The Real ID Act addresses three issues of grave importance to ensuring our security. The first of which tackles the issue of drivers' licenses as a form of identification to a federal official. This will not super cede or set state policy for who may or may not drive a car. It will, however, establish a uniform rule for all states that temporary drivers' licenses for foreign visitors will expire when their visa terms expire, and it will establish tough rules for confirming identity before temporary drivers' licenses are issued.

Perhaps more importantly is the issue of asylum, which has been exploited and will continue to be exploited by terrorists till certain loop holes are closed. Our government is hog tied by being barred from asking foreign governments what evidence they have about the terrorist activities of asylum applicants. Knowing this, terrorists seek asylum while plotting their heinous acts of crime.

In 1996, Congress required the building of a fourteen mile border fence inland from the Pacific Ocean in San Diego. The goal was to secure one of the most trafficked corridors in the country and to safeguard the U.S. Naval Base in San Diego. With the fence still not completed after eight years, this provision will ensure the expeditious completion of this proven deterrent.

Davis said, "We need to fill the cracks and tighten the loopholes in our immigration laws that could let terrorists slip by and threaten our safety and security. Why stop short of fulfilling our promise to protect Americans. The Congress needs to finish what we initially set out to do by better securing our borders and country from those who wish to harm us by taking advantage of gapping holes in our homeland security policy."