A Weekly e-Newsletter from
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

June 29, 2007

Dear Friends,                              

This week, the Senate debate on immigration reform came to an end. After weeks of debating amendments and listening to the thousands of constituents who contacted my office, it became clear we have a crisis in confidence among the American people over our commitment to securing the border. Because past promises have yet to be fulfilled, the confidence level in the Congress and in the Administration to secure the border and to pay for enforcement measures is too low for immigration reform to proceed. Yesterday, I voted against a procedural motion to cut off debate on the immigration bill. Fortunately, the procedural immigration vote failed 46 to 53, effectively killing the bill. Senate rules required 60 votes to proceed with the bill.  

Two weeks ago, Senator Chambliss and I sent a letter to President Bush urging him to request an emergency supplemental spending measure for border security, and after Thursday’s vote, I still feel this is the best course of action.  I believe border security must be “de-coupled” from the rest of the immigration bill, and that it must be the first, separate step of reform, before anything else takes place. This is the only way to assure the American people that the President and the Congress are serious about securing the border. 

We pass emergency supplemental spending bills for many purposes. We’ve done it in response to Katrina. We’ve done it in response to Iraq. I would submit that the American people would tell you there’s no greater emergency right now than securing our border. An authorization is a promise, and an appropriation is a commitment. It is time that Congress makes a commitment and makes border security a reality.  Perhaps then, we can have a full and inclusive debate on immigration reform and truly resolve the number one domestic issue facing our nation.

Card Check Legislation

Last week, I spoke on the Senate floor to oppose legislation that would strip workers of their right to a secret ballot when deciding whether to unionize.  The so-called Employee Free Choice Act, H.R.800, would eliminate the rights of workers to participate in a secret-ballot election in order to certify the creation of a union. Instead, the legislation would force employees to make a public declaration of their preference by allowing union organizers to bypass elections if a majority of employees sign cards authorizing a union. 

I was pleased that the Senate refused to cut off debate on this legislation this week.  On Tuesday, the procedural vote failed 51 to 48. Senate rules required 60 votes to proceed.  With this vote, we have preserved a system that protects workers. Ours is a neutral system, a level playing field for those who wished to be organized and those who wished for organization not to take place. This legislation would have created a situation of intimidation all for the sake of trying to save a union movement that won't save itself. With this vote, management will continue to have the same rights as the workers and the workers will continue to have the protection of the secret ballot.

July is ‘National Teen Safe Driving Month’

This week the Senate passed a resolution I authored that designates July 2007 as ‘National Teen Safe Driver Month.’  I introduced the resolution in honor of Joshua Brown, a Cartersville, Georgia, teenager who died from injuries sustained in a car accident in 2003 and whose parents have taken their tragedy and turned it into a way to save other families from living through a similar tragedy.  The Joshua Brown Foundation’s mission is to establish networks between public, private and government partners to make technologically advanced drivers education available for every teen. 

Driver education and training resources have diminished in communities throughout the United States, leaving families underserved and lacking in opportunities for educating their teenage drivers. The month will be used by members of federal, state and local governments and interested organizations to commemorate ‘National Teen Safe Driver Month’ with appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs. It also will encourage the development of resources to provide affordable, accessible and effective driver training for every teenage driver of the United States.  With so many distractions in our cars and on the roads today, we must do a better job of educating all drivers to be safer on the road.  I am proud to announce July as ‘National Teen Safe Driver Month’ in the United States.  I hope parents will use the summer months to make sure their young drivers are taking the appropriate driver education and defensive driving courses to sharpen their skills on the roads to keep themselves and others safe.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

Next week, the Senate will be in recess as our nation celebrates the Independence Day holiday.  Please have a safe holiday and take a moment to say a prayer for our troops in harm’s way.  God Bless America.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson