Republican leadership in the House of Representatives has slowed down the immigration debate process to get a handle on how the issue will play out politically moving into the 2006 elections. A series of field hearings on the issue will be held through the month of August.
“We will be working closely with the Republican leadership and our coalition partners in ensuring that our industry is sufficiently represented at these field hearings and working so our story can be told in a meaningful manner,” says American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) Director Of Legislative Relations John Farner.
Throughout the week last week and into the weekend, we had been hearing discussions throughout the House Republican Leadership that they are going to want to slow down the immigration debate process to get a handle at how exactly the issue will play out politically moving into the 2006 elections. With a number of Republicans in extremely tight races this election year, the House Leadership simply is not ready to move on several controversial issues (including immigration reform). Today, the rumors became true and the vehicle to slow down the process was announced.

As you will no doubt hear on the news within the next 24 hours, the House Republican Leadership will be planning a series of “Field Hearings” on immigration reform throughout the United States during the month of August.

Over the next few weeks we will be working closely with the Republican Leadership and our coalition partners in ensuring that our industry is sufficiently represented at these field hearings and working so our story can be told in a meaningful manner. The locations and timing of the hearings have not been set. When they are, Craig or I will be sure to get another message out to everyone.
Finally, during the week of June 30-July 10, Members of Congress will be home for the July 4th recess. Your stories are ones that your Members of Congress and Senators need to hear. The week of July 4th is an ideal time to meet with your Congressional representatives on immigration reform. I guarantee that the enforcement-only advocates will be out in force during this Congressional recess as well as at each of the recently announced hearings. We need to be sure that we leave no stone left unturned in our efforts to get the right thing done for our industry and the future of our Country’s immigration policy.

John R. Farner, Jr.
Director of Legislative Relations
American Nursery and Landscape