IMMIGRATION TALKS
WILL TRAVEL
Campbell confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. House of Representatives will hold rare public hearings in August around the country on a controversial Senate immigration bill, but it's not certain whether any events will be held in Orange County or even California.
"I think what you're seeing here is that it's our belief in the House that the McCain/Kennedy bill is a bad bill and it's enormously unpopular, and these hearings will determine that," Campbell said.
The Senate bill includes provisions to let some illegal immigrants become citizens. That is sharply at odds with the House bill stressing border security. Campbell said that shows senators are out of touch with what Americans want, and hearings will force them to realize it.
The upshot? The House speaker will have the moral authority to reject forming a conference committee to try to reconcile the two bills, Campbell said. So it's back to square one.
"Then the question is will the Senate pass something that's border security only. I don't know," Campbell said, adding that people mainly want to know that there won't be millions if immigrants crossing the border illegally in the future.
"I know the president's calling for comprehensive reform, but I don't think the people are calling for comprehensive reform," he said.
DEVORE HAS SIGHTS ON THE GOVERNATOR?
Newport Beach Assemblyman Chuck DeVore won a battle but is still fighting the war on health benefits for illegal immigrants. Last week he criticized Assembly Democrats for adding $500 million to the budget to cover healthcare for low income families ? including some illegal immigrants.
