HB1292 Illegal Alien Bill Split Right Down Party Lines

February 25, 2011 Action Alerts, Illegal Immigration

HB 1292 the Illegal Alien Bill sponsored by House Rep. Jon Hubbard failed to get out of committee on February 23, 2010. The House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8 “for” and 9 “against” the bill, right down party lines. We needed 11 votes to pass this bill out of committee and onto the floor. All the Democrats on the committee were opposed to the bill, with 3 Democrats failing to even show up. The Republicans responded to the needs of their constituents and voted in favor unanimously.

Rep. Jon Hubbard was put through one of the most grueling experiences we have ever witnessed a legislator going through. Democrat Rep. Linda S. Tyler from Conway was one of the most relentless in her questioning. The spin was in full force and the agenda to pick apart the proposed legislation was apparent. The meeting started at 10:00 am and was still continued after the afternoon lunch break. The bill was amended four times during the Committee session, but regardless of the concessions made, they had their minds made up. We believe this to be the most important bill of the session and while the Democrats do not agree with this assessment, the Republicans certainly did.

Even though this was a sickening loss, it was still a Win-Win situation for us. We now know the names of 12 Democrats that will be targeted in the next election. The Democrats in Little Rock are promoting the Obama and Pelosi party line, leading their Democrat legislators out on a limb for voters to cut off in the next election. One Arkansas resident in Democrat Rep. Butch Wilkins’ district said he would “walk door-to-door next time to make sure he was not re-elected.” We personally know of three individuals who are considering running against him, since he ran unopposed this past election. We are sure that other districts feel the same sense of frustration. Our Republicans stood together on this issue and it sends a clear message that they know what their constituents want.

Below is the list of Democrats who opposed the Illegal Alien Bill. Feel free to contact these individuals and express your feelings on the issue.

(D) Rep. Clark Hall (D-13)
(D) Rep. Eddie L. Cheatham (D-9)
(D) Rep. Larry Cowling (D-12)
(D) Rep. Jim Nickels (D-43)
(D) Rep. Tracy Pennartz (D-65)
(D) Rep. Johnnie J. Roebuck (D-20)
(D) Rep. Tiffany Rogers (D-14)
(D) Rep. Linda S. Tyler (D-45)
(D) Rep. John T. Vines (D-25)
(D) Rep. Butch Wilkins (D-74)