JOHN CARTER

As a Member of Congress I can tell you there is no bigger issue we face as a nation than the Global War on Terror. This war affects every American. It demands sacrifices from the men and women in uniform who so bravely risk their lives to defend the freedoms we enjoy today, and it affects the families of our military who send their loved ones to fight the battle. It is to these individuals that we owe our eternal gratitude.

This past weekend I flew to Iraq to visit the soldiers from Fort Hood who are stationed on the ground. I went over there expecting to hear and see the same things you have seen on television- explosions, bloody battles and soldiers who have given up on their mission. I was prepared for the worse news possible.

What I witnessed was the exact opposite. We have young men and women fighting on the ground in Iraq who believe strongly in what they are fighting. We have generals who believe in the missions and report that, although things look dire on an American television set, things are changing to our favor in Iraq. In fact, in all my conversations with hundreds of soldiers, the one thing they all had in common was their view on the war they are fighting. They believe they are fighting a war that is being won, and what discouraged them most was the war going on in Congress about pulling them out before they have completed their mission.

I am not a military expert, and neither is anybody in the Congress. I must add that I have been to Iraq four times since I was elected to Congress, and this was the closest I have been to the fighting. It was hot, windy and dangerous, and although I was only in Iraq for a weekend, I got a taste of the harsh conditions our soldiers are dealing with; and still they are dedicated to their mission. We are talking about 130 degree heat with the strongest wind you can imagine, and still their spirits were high. I tell you, Central Texas has some amazing men and women over in Iraq.

During my trip we made an unexpected stop in Ramadi to walk through a central market. If you recall, about eight months ago, Ramadi was said to be the most active combat zone in the entire country, but now it is a place where people can go and shop. It is still dangerous, but nothing compared to what it was eight months ago. Things are progressing.

What is making a difference in Ramadi is the Sunni population is now working with the Iraqi government and our military to point out terrorists. I might remind you that the al Qaeda are Sunni. Because of the success of our men and women in uniform and the brutality of the terrorists, the Iraqi people are beginning to trust their government and the Americans.

I believe in our servicemen and women and the American spirit they’re bringing to Iraq. Ramadi is proof that folks in Iraq are seeking peace and prosperity. With a little encouragement, and the strength to enforce laws, the prospect for a bright future in Iraq is looming. Calvin Coolidge once said, “The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.” I want those soldiers in Iraq to know that I have not forgotten about them, and I will continue fighting and praying for the mission they believe in so strongly.

Last week the United States Senate effectively stopped the infamous Ted Kennedy immigration bill by a vote of 46-53. This bill would have granted blanket amnesty to millions of illegal and undocumented aliens while doing nothing to secure our borders or protect American citizens from the threat of terrorism. While this was a Senate bill, and I serve in the House, I repeatedly expressed my deep concerns with the Democrats’ plan for immigration reform. In fact, the House Republicans passed a resolution in our conference meeting opposing the Senate bill just days before it was finally stopped.

The defeat of the Senate immigration bill is a victory for those who want real change in our immigration system and real security along our borders - but defeating this poorly crafted legislation was only half the battle. Now is the time for Congress to stop playing politics and debate real reform. This issue is bigger than sound bytes and campaign commercials – this is a national security issue. Too many of my colleagues - mostly Republicans, but a few Democrats as well - are determined to see change in the way folks immigrate to America and how we ensure homeland security.

No matter how you slice it, the many overlapping facets of immigration reform cannot begin without first securing the border and enforcing the laws already on the books. Not addressing the source of the problem makes all other efforts pointless.

I am afraid the Democratic-led Congress is now poised to use the failed Senate bill as an excuse to do nothing while more illegal aliens cross our borders. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrat leaders have suggested that they will not approach the issue of immigration unless the Senate does so first. This makes absolutely no sense. When you see a hole in your roof, do you wait for someone else to get the tools? This is passing the political buck at its worst.

This Democratic Congress can boast of few achievements since taking power seven months ago. And yet on the one issue where the American people demand action, the Democrats show no will to address this crisis. There are many proposed solutions for immigration reform, but all members of Congress can agree that we must protect our borders and document those already within our nation. The urgency of the situation should be the starting point and the reason for bringing all parties to the table. But conservative, security-minded members of Congress are still waiting for the invitation. Right now the status quo may serve the interests of Speaker Pelosi and her Party, but every day we delay increases our national security risk.

I am determined that in the coming months pressure from Republicans and conservative Democrats can force House leadership to address this issue. At some point, we must pass a comprehensive immigration plan, but the first step is securing the border, enforcing the laws already on the books, and devising a way to document those already in America. The price for failing to act will be dire for our long-term security, social service systems, and the rule of law.

President Ronald Reagan, referencing the shining city on the hill in his farewell address to the nation, said, “And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.” I share the belief that many come to America pursuing the American Dream. We must deal with these individuals with compassion and fairness. But if we cannot protect our own citizens by securing the border, then how can we ever protect those coming here legally in pursuit of a better life? And as an elected district judge for over 20 years, I must insist that we enforce our laws. We must not grant amnesty to individuals who have broken our laws.

The rule of law is a powerful principle which should mean something to all Americans – present and future. Now is the time to act, and in a manner that will ensure peace and security for future generations. I stand ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and I will continue to push for swift action and tough immigration reform.