G4

1) http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/28/us-obama-guns-idUSBRE90Q0BA20130128

2) In the wake of several high-profile shootings President Obama is pushing for stricter gun regulations. These proposed regulations include a ban on assault weapons and mandatory background checks for all gun buyers.

3) The president has the power of appointment which allows him to place sympathetic officials in office. President Obama can appoint politicians and bureaucrats to powerful positions who will support him in his endeavor to regulate guns. Having strong support within the federal government will help President Obama to reform American gun laws by giving him a strong base from which to work and allowing the government to be unified in its efforts.

4) The president has a huge access to media which he can use to publicize the gun issue he is hoping to remedy. Because Obama holds such a high profile position he can use the publicity that naturally comes with his office to help him inspire change. Second amendment advocates are a very vocal and well-funded group and so President Obama can use media attention to gain public favor and push forward laws that regulate guns.

G2

1) Formal powers of the president include the power to appoint ambassadors and the power to negotiate treaties.

2) Formal powers of congress include the power to declare war and the power to confirm appointments of ambassadors.

3) The president is able to gain access to the media with more regularity than congress and is able to meet with foreign leaders more often than congress.

4) Access to the media allows the president to present his point of view to the public and to explain and justify his decisions. This will bring public opinion over to the president's side and pressure congress into supporting his decisions. The president's ability to meet with world leaders gives the president an added degree of insight when making foreign policy decisions. This access to information and various opinions gives the president added expertise and can help him persuade congress to support him.

F8

Rep. Perry's Bill:
Amendment: Change “this bill shall be enacted upon the signature of the president” to “this bill shall be enacted six months following the signature of the president”

Question: How do you plan to enforce these new laws?

Rep. Potter's Bill:

Question: Would you consider expanding your bill to include other smoking related diseases?

Rep. Abdul Satar, Arata, and Arbab's bill:
Question: How do you plan to fund this commision?
Amendment: Remove “violence related misdemeanors” from the restrictions on gun purchase

Rep Hibbard:

Amendment: include “same sex couples shall receive all the legal rights and privileges awarded to heterosexual couples” in section four
Question: Would you be willing to include a clause discussing transgendered couples?

Rep. Schodowski and Brown:

Question: would you be willing to address which aspects of No Child Left Behind you feel need the most reform and why?
Amendment: add “ states will be responsible for funding the changes necessary to comply with these new requirements”

Rep. Warren and Lawson:

Amendment: add “this bill shall be enacted upon the signature of the president” or add another enactment clause

Rep. Wilhelm:

Question: How do you plan to defend this bill against people who believe the 2nd amendment isn’t subject to restrictions on types of firearms?

Rep. Wetherall:

Question: Is it fair to ask the government and American taxpayers to pay for the upkeep of these types of criminals in jails for the rest of their lives?

Rep. Srivatsa

Question: Perhaps instead of increasing taxes on the wealthy you could consider a graduated tuition cost based on family income, the tuition of the wealthiest students going towards funding the education of the poorer students

Rep.

Grigera-Monteagudo

Question: How do you plan to go about relicensing every current gun owner when the new restrictions go into place? Will the government seize all firearms of those who fail to meet the requirements of the new licenses?

F7

113^th Congress

1^st Session

H.R. 321

To allow all minors entering the United States of America to become full citizens of the country

In the House of Representatives of the United States

January 11^th, 2013

Ms. Thomson introduced the following bill; which was read and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement

A Bill

To allow minors entering the Unites State of America to become full citizens of the country

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of

America in Congress assembled

Section One: A Short Title

This act may be cited as the Citizenship Act.

Section Two: Findings and Purpose

a         a) Findings – Congress finds that –

1.     In 2011 the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. was estimated at 11.5 million

2.     In 2011 396, 906 illegal immigrants were removed from the U.S.

3.     Of those immigrants deported in 2011 45% had never been convicted of a felon or misdemeanor

4.     1.2 immigrants were deported under President Obama’s first term

5.     The 2011 Birthright Citizenship Act allows children born in the United States to be considered citizens, regardless of their parents’ citizenship status

6.     It is in the best interest of the nation to extend these citizenship rights to minors who enter the country in an attempt to give them all the opportunities that America is based upon

b      b) Purposes – The purposes of this Act are –

1.     Allow children entering the country to become full citizens of the United States with all the rights and privileges of all other citizens

2.     Facilitate the contribution of immigrants to their communities in a meaningful and substantial way

3.     Create the Future Americans program within the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security

4.     Grant the Future Americans Program with the ability to grant citizenship to anyone entering the country under the age of eighteen

Section Three: Definitions

            In this Act:

1.     Immigrant – the term “immigrant” means a person who moves from one country to another intending permanent residence

2.     Illegal Alien – the term “illegal alien” means a foreigner who enters or resides in a country without that country’s authorization or permission

3.     Citizenship – the term “citizenship” means the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen

4.     Citizen – the term “citizen” means a member of a nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection

5.     Minor – the term “minor” means a person under the age of eighteen

Section Four: The Future Americans Program

1        1. In general – there is established a program that shall be known as the Future Americans Program designed to naturalize minors entering the United States as illegal aliens

a.     Staffing

                                               i.     The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services retain the right to appoint and dismiss staff to this program as they see fit under the supervision of their superiors in the Department of Homeland Security

1.     Staff shall be appointed to begin function of the program ninety days following the enactment of this Act

b.     Funding

                                               i.     The budget of the Department of Homeland Security shall be adjusted accordingly to allow for the creation of this new program

Section Five: Powers  and Duties of the Future Americans Program

1      1. The Program shall allow minors entering the United States to register to become citizens of the country

a.   Six months following entry to the country minors shall have the opportunity to become citizens
b. Before citizenship is granted all applicants shall present proof of residency and shall undergo a background check to ensure that there is no criminal activity or intent

Section Six: Authorization of Appropriations

1      1. The budget for the Future Americans Program shall be overseen by the Department of Homeland Security

2      2. A small fee shall be charged at registration which shall assist in the acquiring money necessary to fund the program

Section Seven: Enactment

1        This bill shall become effective on the first of January 2014

F6

Problem:

The United States is faced with rising conflict over immigration. The issue is divisive and an emotional one. The two parties stand on different sides of the problem, as usual. The fiscal cliff crisis has not forced Obama to take his eye off of immigration reform as he pushes congress to become less partisan and work together on the issue. Perhaps this strategy is working as Joe Biden recently told the press that he believes the GOP is beginning to soften its position and is beginning to become more willing to consider reform. As it stands today, however, the Mexican-American border is blocked and patrolled and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to become a U.S. citizen. Despite this, our country is based on immigration, based on the ideal of offering opportunity to those who were denied it elsewhere. Every American family, with the exception of full-blooded Native Americans, can trace their roots back to an immigrant who came to this country full of hope and promise. It is time for the fear and xenophobia to end. It is time for immigration reform.

Existing Laws:

The 2011 Birthright Citizenship Act allows all children born in the U.S. and it’s territories to be naturalized citizens. The Birthright Citizenship Act was an addition to the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, which ended immigration restrictions based on race. It also allowed for immigrants to be denied access to the U.S. based on suspected subversive activities and for immigrants to be deported after being charged with subversive activities. In addition, the 14^th amendment helps to define citizenship and broaden its previous definition. This bill addresses similar concerns as the DREAM Act but allows minors to become full citizens rather than gain residency benefits and does not require a college degree or military service to gain citizenship.

Proposal:

I propose that a law be passed allowing children who enter the country illegally to be granted citizenship. Many find fault with soft regulations on immigration because it takes jobs from legal workers and allows illegal immigrants to jump ahead, entering the country before those waiting to come in legally. However, these are not the crimes of children. Children who grow up knowing essentially no other home than the U.S. should not be deported years later. Children should not be deported because their parents brought them here hoping for a brighter future. Many children who enter the U.S. illegally and grow up here do not speak the language of their native country and are unable to function appropriately there, unable to contribute to society in the way they can here. This reform will allow children to register and show proof of residence and file for citizenship. This will help to promote a healthier and more accepting nation.

Committee:

This issue would fall under the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement.

Sources:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr140#summary

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

http://judiciary.house.gov/about/subimmigration.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/02/obama-immigration-reform

http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/vp-joe-biden