Capitol phones ringing off hook

[Soldier4Christ]

Capitol phones ringing off hook 
Aides told to 'make note' of callers' concerns

Migrant proposal provokes callers

WASHINGTON — The Capitol phones were ringing off the hook Friday.

In fact, the day proved to be one of the busiest in months for call volume, Senate aides said.

The reason? Immigration.

Next week, the Senate plans to take up the divisive bill that would provide the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. with a pathway to legal status, and callers felt the need to vent, mostly.

"I'd say the calls have been heavy, very heavy in fact," said Dan McLaughlin, communications director for Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. "The overwhelming number of callers were opposed to the immigration deal. I would say they're opposed largely on the basis of the view that it offers amnesty, even though the bill does not."

The situation was as bad, if not worse, in Sen. Mel Martinez's office. The Florida Republican you'll recall helped broker the controversial immigration deal this week.

"Yeah, we're getting a lot of calls," Martinez spokesman Ken Lundberg said, with a chuckle. "Not just from Florida, but across the nation on both sides of the issue."

McLaughlin said Nelson advised his aides to make note of the callers' concerns.

For now, the senator is "wanting to reserve judgment on the developing deal," McLaughlin said, adding that a 384-page draft of the bill had been delivered to the office Friday morning.

Even if the sweeping immigration legislation does pass the Senate in the coming days, the real problems begin in the House, where members — especially Republicans — haven't been too keen on a comprehensive approach.

Last year, with the mid-term elections right around the corner, House lawmakers chose to stick to a border protection bill.

It doesn't look like much has changed.

On Friday, Rep. Dave Weldon, the Republican who represents Vero Beach, called the Senate proposal "a bad bill."

"Amnesty first, border security later, American citizens last, that's the bottom line of this proposal," Weldon said.

[Brother Jerry]

Glad to see that people are speaking out.  One way or another it is good to see people take action.

[Faithin1]

I certainly made my share of calls.  I simply could not sit idly by on this critical issue.