Has Rubio read his own immigration bill?
The Weekly Standard reports that at least five S. 744 supporters do not know what is in the bill. When asked about a provision that would give employers a $3,000 incentive to hire amnestied aliens over citizens and permanent legal residents:
Sen. Baucus said: “I don’t know if that’s been solved.”
Sen. Casey: “I just haven’t read it that closely to know.”
Sen. Blumenthal: “that’s a good question. I’d have to check.”
Sen. Carper: “I don’t have the time to drill down on it right now”
Sen. Boxer: “I think if you work for an employer who offers health care, you will get the health care you want.”
Sen. McCain’s and Rubio’s offices didn’t respond.
John Carney of CNBC writes that the Congressional Budget Office says S. 744 would create “another decade of pain” for American workers. But that doesn’t seem to trouble very many Members of the United States Senate.
Instead of discussing the higher unemployment and lower wages S. 744 would mean for American workers, the Gang is “in full horse-trading mode” according to Politico, which also reports (subscribers only) that the entire process has been “mostly via back channels and insider negotiations, with deals reached privately to lock up senators’ votes — rather than amendments adopted publicly on the Senate floor.”
Erick Erickson of Red State has a list of quotes from amnesty supporters back when they were running for office — and againstamnesty.
And Sen. Rubio (among those quoted by Erickson above) reiterated his belief that the Senate needs to convince the American public to trust it on immigration.
Sen. Paul, on the other hand, wrote “Washington parlor tricks disguised as reform will not fool the American people.”
VIDEO: Sen. Ted Cruz Speaks Against Corker-Hoeven Amendment to the Immigration Bill: