Statement of U.S. Border Control
8/17/2004 1:36:00 PM
To: National Desk
Contact: Edward Nelson, 703-356-6567 or or Ron
Pearson, 202-547-7177 or both of U.S. Border Control;
http://www.usbc.org
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Edward I. Nelson, chairman of
U.S. Border Control, told the Congress they are "guilty of either
cowardice or complicity with regard to the Bush Administration's plan to
buy the Hispanic vote with America's Social Security Trust Fund."
"Last September," Nelson reminded them, "when we provided testimony to
the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims, you
were put on notice that the President was seriously considering signing
a pact with Mexico that would give any Mexican who had worked in the
U.S., including illegal aliens, full U.S. Social Security benefits, paid
out of the Social Security Trust... and you did nothing about it."
Nelson continued, "And today, when there is less than 30 days to repeal
this outrageous treaty that virtually guarantees the bankruptcy of
America's Social Security Trust Fund, you continue to do nothing."
"What happened to all the promises you made to your constituents? How
many times have you sworn to protect our Social Security system? How do
you think your constituents will react when they learn that you stood by
and did nothing to protect our nation's primary retirement system and
left millions of Americans at risk of financial disaster?"
"Let me tell you how they will react. If they have any sense at all,
they will throw you out of office," said Nelson who pointed out that
"with most retired Americans already finding it difficult to make ends
meet due to low interest rates on their savings, this is the worst
possible time to be squandering this crucial safety net that can mean
the difference between life and death for some of our neighbors!"
Nelson reminded them that the treaty actually gives Social Security
benefits to Mexicans faster and easier than Americans can get them.
Americans are required to work a minimum of 40 quarters or 10 years to
collect Social Security.
"This treaty would allow Mexicans who have not met that minimum to
include their alleged work experience in Mexico toward getting our
Social Security! In fact," Nelson continued, "the reality is that any
Mexican need only get across the border for a short time in order to
qualify for a lavish retirement paid out of the Trust Fund that was
supposed to be safeguarded for American retirees."
Nelson urged every Representative to cosponsor and vote for H.Res.720
immediately. This resolution, sponsored by Rep. Mac Collins (R-Ga.),
allows the Congress, under section 233(e)(2) of the Social Security Act,
to disapprove the treaty. Unlike other forms of treaty which have to be
ratified by the Senate, this treaty becomes effective 60 days after it
is presented to the Congress, unless it takes specific action to
disapprove it.
"Unfortunately, the timing for repealing the treaty couldn't be worse.
The President signed it knowing that the Congress is trying to recess
and most Repesentatives have their hands full with their reelection
campaigns."
U.S. Border Control is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization,
established in 1986, that is dedicated to education of the public on
issues related to the protection of the sovereignty of the United
States, including the establishment and maintenance of effective border
integrity systems, economic policies, national defense practices, and
immigration policies focusing on ending illegal immigration by securing
the nation's borders and reforming the border and immigration policies.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
.
|
