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English First
Working to make English America's official language.
Posted September 19, 1996
The 104th session of Congress is expected to adjourn in a few weeks, capping a nearly two year drama that began in 1995 under a new Republican leadership speaking of a "revolution" and ends with House Speaker Newt Gingrich the most unpopular politician in the history of polling. Few of the Republicans' revolutionary ideas have come to fruition. Now, in the waning weeks of this Congress, Republican leaders are trying to determine which of several unfinished bills they should push before leaving to hit the campaign trail for the November elections. Topping the list are several appropriations bills to fund federal agencies. But members of Congress know they get little credit for funding agencies, something voters take for granted. Thus, they're hoping to a push through some bills with a little more resonance for the folks back home. Here's a look at a few of those measures this Congress is likely to act on in its final days.
Nuts and Bolts: With illegal immigration continuing unabated and growing ever more unpopular, bills that would rewrite illegal immigration laws have been passed by both the House and Senate. To crack down the illegal immigration flood into the U.S., both the House and Senate would:
- Increase border patrols
- Create programs to help identify illegal aliens in the workplace
- Limit benefits to both illegal and legal aliens
- Require that an immigrant's "sponsor" earn more than the federal poverty level, and extend the period during which sponsors are responsible for immigrants
Status: The House bill passed 333-87, on March 21. The Senate version passed 97-3, on May 2. The House has delayed appointing members to a conference committee. President Clinton has said he would veto a bill containing the amendment barring children of illegal aliens from public schools.
Inside Scoop: Although both the House and Senate passed versions of the bill long ago, its final passage has been stalled due to disputes over its final form. House leaders have refused to appoint members to a conference committee that would hammer out compromises until some agreement can be reached beforehand with the Senate on one controversial amendment: the House measure banning the children of illegal aliens from public schools, which was proposed by Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-CA. Even conservatives like Sen. Phil Gramm, R-TX, have said they cannot vote for the Gallegly amendment. Some compromises have been advanced, such as a proposal to children of illegal immigrants into public schools, so long as their families pay tuition. Still, no agreement has been reached. Earlier this year, Congress abandoned its attempt to rewrite laws on legal immigration.
Nuts and Bolts: With anxiety high over a rash of recent terrorist attacks, and in particular the unsolved downing of TWA flight 800, President Clinton has proposed a $1 billion package of anti-terrorism measures and asked Congress to pass it before the end of this session. The package is comprised mainly of new steps to improve airport security. The proposals include:
- New high-tech bomb-checking equipment at many major airports
- New screening procedures for baggage and cargo, and an additional 114 bomb-sniffing dog teams
- A computer database containing passenger profiles to flag passengers who pose potential security risks
- Background checks on airport personnel with access to high-security areas
- Increased funding, staffing and agents for agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Increased security at high-profile American monuments and museums around the world, as well as U.S. military bases in foreign countries
Status: President Clinton is pressing for immediate action. Congressional leaders are considering whether to bring part or all of the package to a vote.
Inside Scoop: With Americans at a new level of concern over terrorism and air travel, a new anti-terrorism plan is politically attractive to a Congress preparing to return home for re-election campaigns. However, some Republican leaders complain that Clinton dropped such an expensive bill on them without warning and without explaining how he will pay for it. And members like Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-UT, gripe that Clinton has not fully utilized the $1 billion anti-terrorism law he signed last spring. Clinton and Congress are still at odds over parts of that law, however. Congress limited the wire-tapping authority sought by Clinton, and denied his request to add chemical tracers or "taggants" to explosives and gunpowder. Last month, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, R-NJ, introduced his own airport security measure with many provisions similar to Clinton's proposal.
Nuts and Bolts: Arguing that language barriers threaten to fracture America, Congressional Republicans hope to pass a bill making English the country's official language. The law would apply to federal government business, requiring that most of it be done (as it is currently) in English. Income-tax forms and election materials, for instance, would need to be printed in English only. Some documents would be exempted, however, such as those dealing with foreign affairs like national security and international trade, public health and foreign phrases on coins and money.
Status: The House passed the bill, 259-169, on August 2. The bill may be considered this month in the Senate, where its fate is uncertain. President Clinton has said he would veto it.
Inside Scoop: In a rare gesture, House Speaker Newt Gingrich took to the House floor to deliver a speech in favor of the measure that warned of "the decay of the core parts of our civilization." The bill also enjoys the support of Republican Presidential nominee Bob Dole. But opponents argue that the debate is at best silly (Rep. Bob Livingston, R-LA, warned of "civil war") and at worst prejudiced. Over 99 percent of all federal documents are currently printed in English. The bill also ran into brief trouble, before exemptions were made, with hallowed phrases like the "e pluribus unum" found on currency.