Members of the Freedom Caucus Speak Out about the AHCA’s Bait and Switch

When the House of Representatives, mostly led by members of The Freedom Caucus, recently refused to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA), it seemed like a treasonous debacle to the American people. Even President Trump expressed his anger.  Several Pro-Life groups supported the AHCA, because it would have defunded Planned Parenthood.  

But, what the American people didn’t know was that the American Health Care Act would not have accomplished its primary mission and promise:  Repeal and Replace ObamaCare.  

The American Health Care Act was a kludge of a health-care policy. Described as a way to simultaneously repeal key elements of the Affordable Care Act and replace them with market-oriented reforms, the bill in its final form managed to do little of either. Freedom Caucus members were particularly concerned about the willingness of House leaders to leave the vast majority of Obamacare’s regulations on the books — after Republicans spent seven years promising that the party would “repeal and replace Obamacare.” Even the rationale that the AHCA would be better than nothing was hard to justify; it probably would have further destabilized the individual market, while millions fewer would have been insured.  See It’s Wrong for Trump to Blame Conservatives.  

Even as Obamacare continues funding Planned Parenthood, the foundation supporting abortion is weakening through other means. Since the AHCA’s defeat, President Trump has taken action to defund a UN agency that supports forced abortion.  Also on March 31, Congress voted to "restore the ability of states to stop one stream of our tax dollars going to Planned Parenthood and redirect it to community health centers that provide comprehensive primary and preventive health care.” See Major Victories for Life  and Bill Passes to allow states to redirect funds away from Abortion Clinics.  

And, on April 7, 2017, Judge Neil Gorsuch was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards tweeted that Gorsuch’s confirmation is "the worst" because Gorsuch has written that "the intentional taking of  human life by private persons is ALWAYS wrong." See Why Justice Gorsuch will have an immediate (and big) impact on the Supreme Court.

Hear what several members of Congress, including the House Freedom Caucus, have to say about the disastrous flaws in the AHCA, and why they must be corrected.    

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The Gang of 8’s Disgusting Amnesty SB744

Sandi Bartlett has provided Gilbert Watch with some little known provisions in SB 744.  This is the so-called Immigration Reform bill that was passed by the U.S. Senate.  As you read the 14 reasons why this bill is a bad idea, followed by the massive amount of pork spending that is included in it, remember that both of Arizona’s United States Senators — Republicans John McCain and Jeff Flake–were two of the architects of this bill.  Did they think that nobody would bother to read it?

Did you know that the Republican Platform clearly states that we believe "it is the duty of the federal and state government to protect our citizens by securing our borders, including: 1) Completing the border fence without delay; 2) Preventing illegal drugs and weapons from being smuggled into our country; 3) Increasing the number of Border Patrol agents on Arizona’s border; 4) Protecting our children and schools from the drugs and weapons flowing over the border."  See We Are Republicans!    

Top Reasons Why S. 744 is a bad idea

1.       Does not require any additional border fencing or the completion of our current border fencing requirements.  Only requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit to Congress a strategy of recommendations for additional necessary fencing.

2.       Does not end the abuse of prosecutorial discretion by DHS and the administration.  It directs immigration agents to release illegal aliens deemed low priority.

3.       Authorizes DHS to waive unlawful behavior when determining admissibility of undocumented immigrants, including:  gang membership, three or more DUIs, domestic violence, child abuse, crimes of moral turpitude, drug law violations, passport trafficking, providing fraudulent immigration services, prostitution, visa violations, and all other violations not specifically listed in the bill.

4.       Allows DHS to grant legal status in 6 months, prior to any measures to secure the border.

5.       Voids state and local E-verify laws.

6.       Prohibits immigration enforcement actions in ‘sensitive areas’ including: hospitals, schools, churches, and certain organizations.

7.       Does not provide for punishment of undocumented immigrants who make false statements in a registered provisional immigrant application.  Yet it creates criminal penalties and a fine up to $10,000 for federal officials who disclose information found on an application.

8.       Does not require the deportation of a single undocumented immigrant.  DHS is not explicitly required to deport an immigrant whose RPI application is denied.

9.       Allows Secretary of DHS to exercise discretion to waive a ground of inadmissibility or deportability if the Secretary deems it to be against the public interest or a hardship to the family of the deportable individual.

10.   Allows undocumented immigrants to bring class action lawsuits against the government for denial of RPI status.

11.   Requires DHS to waive the public charge law when determining which immigrants are eligible for legal status.

12.   Excludes three-time DUI offenders from a path to citizenship, but two-time drunk drivers would be acceptable.

13.  Requires that passport forgers would no longer be prosecuted for making a single fake travel document, with the bar being set at three.

14.  Requires that document counterfeiters whose materials are used to obtain passports would only be jailed if they contributed to at least 10 phony passports.

15.  This bill will put border security and border agents under the control of the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Justice. There is funding for sensitivity training of our agents to ensure they don’t ask hard questions of border jumpers. Just one example, the bill suggests agents be ordered not to ask for documentation. 

Pork spending in the Senate immigration bill S.744

Ø  $300 Million for La Raza and other liberal immigrants’ rights groups, which the federal government would contract to assist future U.S. citizens with applications and offer them legal advice.

Ø  Schumer (NY). As introduced, S. 744 carves-out 10,500 visas annually for unskilled Irish workers under a new E-3 nonimmigrant visa program. NY has a large Irish population(Sec. 4403, p. 974)

Ø  Graham (SC). As introduced, S. 744 guarantees the meat packing industry—under the animal production subsectors classification—an additional 10% percent allocation of W-nonagricultural visas on top of the yearly cap and exempts this guarantee from any future reduction in visas. The meat packing industry is one of the largest industries in South Carolina. (Sec. 4703(h), p. 1085)

Ø  Leahy (VT) and Bennet (CO). As introduced, S. 744 allows ski and snowboard instructors to enter the U.S. under the 5-year nonimmigrant visa program professional athletes and performing artists use rather than the 10-month nonimmigrant visa program for seasonal workers under current law. (Sec. 4601, p. 1027)

Ø  Rubio (FL). As introduced, S. 744 creates a new nonimmigrant Z visa to admit individuals who possess “specialized knowledge” to perform maintenance on airlines and cruise ships. (Sec. 4606, p. 1034) S. 744 also creates a two year grant program for individuals living along the Southern border “at greater risk of border violence” to purchase satellite telephones that can access 9-1-1 and are GPS equipped. (Sec. 1107, p. 83) TracPhone, a Florida-based company, makes these phones and S. 744 appropriates “such sums as may be necessary” to fund the grant program.

Ø  Murkowski (AK) and Begich (AK).  This carve-out to secure the votes of Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski (R) and Mark Begich (D) classifies seafood processing positions in Alaska as “shortage occupations,” thus allowing the industry to bring in more cheap foreign labor to do those jobs. (Sec. 4701(d)(4), p. 1043) It also allows employers to bring in non-immigrants under a summer program to work in seafood processing positions. (Sec. 4408, p. 982)

Ø  Collins (ME) and Tester (MT). This carve-out for Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jon Tester (D-MT) eliminates a requirement that at least 90% of funding for a law-enforcement program along U.S. borders be devoted to the southwest border, freeing up more money for Northern border states. (Sec. 1104, p. 73)

Ø  Sanders (VT). This carve-out for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) creates a slush “Youth Jobs Fund” for FY 2014-2015 using $1.5 billion from the U.S. Treasury.  Until the kickback, Sen. Sanders was an outspoken critic of the bill for taking jobs away from Americans. He has since been silent. (Title V, p. 1169)

Ø  Kirk (IL). This carve-out to gain Sen. Mark Kirk’s (R-IL) support allows a person who has served in the military and received an honorable discharge and certain combat medals to become a citizen without meeting key naturalization criteria under current law. This includes waiving the requirement an alien understand the English language, waiving the requirement the alien has knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history and of the principles and form of the U.S. government, and waiving the requirement an alien is of good moral character. (Sec. 2555, p. 502)

Ø  Heller (NV). Tucked away in the Corker-Hoeven (“Border Surge”) amendment is a kickback for Las Vegas hotel and casino chains. The provision at hand permanently authorizes $100,000,000 in annual funding to certain parts of the country to promote tourism under the Travel Promotion Fund, posing a win for Nevada Senators Dean Heller and Harry Reid. (Sec. 1102(f), p. 66)

Ø  Hatch (UT). In addition to the H-1B deal Sen. Hatch brokered during committee negotiations, Sen. Hatch got another carve-out on the Senate floor.  In the massive Corker-Hoeven amendment was language by Sen. Hatch that would preclude Social Security credits for unauthorized work. However, like so many other provisions in the bill, Hatch’s includes an exception that swallows the rule by allowing an alien to merely attest that he or she was authorized to work, opening the door for fraud and handouts. (Sec. 2107(d), p. 218)

Ø  Schumer (NY). Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) obtained a carve-out to allow public universities to fire U.S. workers and replace them with H-1B nonimmigrants. (Sec. 4211(d), p. 918) The deal also exempts nonprofit education and research institutions from the higher fees and stricter requirements imposed on employers that heavily rely on H-1B workers. (Sec. 4211(f), p. 919)

Ø  Leahy (VT).  Senate Judiciary Chairman Pat Leahy (D-VT) obtained a carve-out to grant special treatment to Hollywood by waiving fees for artist O and P visas if applications are not processed within 14 days. (Sec. 4416, p. 995)

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Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake Break Their Promise to Arizona Voters

Are we surprised that our ruling class/establishment "Republicans" care little for the values of their constituents?  No.  Are we surprised that they have broken their campaign promises to their constituents?  No.  

Back when they were campaigning in 2010 (McCain) and 2012 (Flake), John McCain and Jeff Flake made these promises.  

John McCain stated on a Center for Arizona Policy survey that he "Opposed adding sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in discrimination law."

Jeff Flake stated on the same survey that he "Opposed adding gender identity or gender expression to antidiscrimination law."

See Breaking News:  Senators McCain and Flake Break their Promise to Arizona Voters.

Consider that our Republic was designed to promote Equal Justice, not special or social justice.  The Republican platform states that we believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman.  

Both Senators Flake and McCain recently voted in favor of ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act).  It sounds so fair, so generous, and so compassionate.  Right?  Like so many other "feel good" pieces of legislation, this law carries with it unintended consequences.  Please see excerpts from Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) Threatens Civil Liberties.

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Grassroots Americans from across the political spectrum will march in Washington, D.C., from Freedom Plaza to Capitol Hill on Monday from 9:30 AM until the early afternoon.

You can watch this event right now!  NOTE:  The Breitbart link in the article below is not working.  Go here to watch:  DC March for Jobs.  

Breitbart News will be broadcasting the event live online at Breitbart.com, (WATCH HERE) starting when speeches from members of Congress and leaders in the activist community begin on Capitol Hill at 11 AM EDT and continuing until 4 PM EDT.

Confirmed speakers at the event include Sens. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), Reps. Steve King (R-IA) and Mo Brooks (R-AL), former Florida Republican Congressman Col. Allen West, conservative activist Wayne Dupree, the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, the Rev. O’Neal Dozier, Bishop Felton Smith, retired federal immigration agent Michael Cutler, documentary filmmaker Dennis Michael Lynch, Tea Party Community co-founder Ken Crow, ConservativeMESSENGER’s K. Carl Smith, TheBlackSphere.net’s Kevin Jackson, Louisiana State Sen. Elbert Guillory who left the Democrat Party in May 2013, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s former executive director Frank Morris, political analyst Katrina Pierson and BALA founder and Progressives for Immigration Reform executive director Leah Durant.

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John McCain: The Collaborator

Seeing Red Arizona recently posted Unprincipled McCain Admits Deception to Unionists, proving once again what we all know.  John McCain is an unprincipled deceiver, who collaborates with the enemy on a regular basis.  Remember when he told Americans during his campaign that we have "nothing to fear from an Obama Presidency"?  

Here are a few snippets from the Seeing Red AZ post:  

"John McMaverick, the driving force behind the Gang of 8, partnered with Democrats and squish Republicans to push an amnesty bill through the Senate. In his zeal to advance it, he even voted for an amendment that would spend $46 billion on new border security measures, while doubling the size of the Border Patrol. Now he says that ‘could be adjusted.’"

“I’ll give you a little straight talk,” the forked-tongued one told attendees at an AFL-CIO immigration forum on Tuesday. “We don’t need 20,000 additional border patrol agents,” calling a path to citizenship “a fundamental element.” Singling out border security parts as an example, he said, “The rest of it could be adjusted.”

“I voted for it so friends of mine would have comfort that we are securing the border,” McCain cunningly admitted. “But the real securing of the border is with technology as opposed to individuals.”

 

Here is a related article published by the AFL/CIO:  McCain:  Path to Citizenship Must be Fundamental Element of Immigration Reform.  

John McCain does not represent the Republican Party or Platform.  See We Are Republicans!

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John McCain Applauded by Democrat Caucus

At what point do we Republicans in Arizona eject John McCain from the Republican Party? Not only does he NOT represent the people who voted for him, neither does he represent our principles and platform. He is a LIABILITY to us. How can we recruit new voters to our party with this guy as a role model?

He has turned Republicans, especially in Arizona, into a laughingstock!    

See McCain Strolls into Dem Caucus Meeting.  An excerpt:

"The room full of Democrats — who happened to be meeting in the same room where the Senate GOP usually holds their weekly policy luncheons — erupted in applause and laughter as the former Republican presidential candidate made his entrance."

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Kelli Ward Beats John McCain in Latest Arizona Poll

Dr. Kelli Ward, Arizona Senator representing LD5 is 9 percentage points ahead of John McCain in a recent poll,  according to independent polling company Gravis Marketing that conducted the August 15 poll.  It surveyed 844 Republican primary voters and 427 Democratic.  This is a dramatic improvement over a similar poll taken in May which showed McCain favored over Ward.  

The polls also suggest that either Ward or McCain could beat Democrat U.S. Representative "Pro Abortion Ann" Kirkpatrick.  

Click HERE to read the entire article, as published in Breitbart.  

John McCain was censored over a year ago by Arizona precinct committeemen all over the state for good reason.  This GOP vote followed censures by the Gila County Republican Party, as well as Maricopa, Cochise, Apache, and Santa Cruz County Republican Committees.  Most censures stated that John McCain had:  

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Reminder: How Mexico Treats Illegal Aliens

Not too long ago, Michelle Malkin wrote an article titled Reminder: How Mexico Treats Undesirable Foreigners.   It’s important to remember these facts as we are lectured by the Leftists on our "despicable" behavior toward 11 million people who are living in the United States of America illegally, obtaining many free taxpayer-paid services.

Here are few quotes from that article:

"Mexicans shall have priority over foreigners, under equal circumstances, for all kind of concessions, employments, positions or commissions of the government in which the status of citizenship is not indispensable.”

"While amnesty advocates and civil liberties zealots in the U.S. decry “police state” tactics against illegal aliens, Mexico fiercely maintains laws against illegal border crossings; “verification visits” to enforce visa conditions; requirements that foreigners produce proof of legal status on demand; and enforcement and cooperation between and among immigration officials and law enforcement authorities at all levels in Mexico. Native-born Mexicans are also empowered to make citizens arrests of illegal aliens and turn them in to authorities.

"Mexico’s National Catalog of Foreigners tracks all outside tourists and foreign nationals. A National Population Registry tracks and verifies the identity of every member of the population, who must carry a citizens identity card. Visitors who do not possess proper documents and identification are subject to arrest at any time. And for those seeking permanent residency or naturalization, Mexico requires that they must not be economic burdens on society and must have clean criminal histories. Those seeking to obtain Mexican citizenship must show a birth certificate, provide a bank statement proving economic independence, pass an exam and prove they can provide their own health care."

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Senator Flake Calls for Last-minute 6/26 Telephone Town Hall – Then Cancels at the Last Minute

At 9:45 pm on June 25, an urgent email notification was sent out stating: 

"Senator Jeff Flake would like to invite you to participate in a conference call on Wednesday, 6/26, at 7:00 am AZ time.  The Senator would like to discuss the immigration reform bill being voted on in the Senate this week." 

Constituents who called were on hold for about 12 minutes, then disconnected.  Then, they learned that the "conference call" had been cancelled.

I didn’t know you could smell tar and feathers through the phone.  

By the way, there is a Recall effort underway of both Senator Jeff Flake and John McCain.  Arizona Voters Move to Recall Flake and McCain…It’s PAYBACK Time.

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