Today, July 19, 2006 I walked into Dennis Hastert's campaign office and asked for a debate on the topic of immigration.
After a comprehensive immigration bill passed the U.S. Senate, Hastert single-handedly killed a House/Senate joint compromise session and made an unprecidented political move to extend the debate throughout the 2006 election year by calling for hearings in California, Texas and Washington D.C.
None of the hearings will be held in Illinois' 14th District. Of course this is a delay tactic aimed at driving conservatives to the polls. This quote comes from a June 21st CNN story.
Immigration is the key issue for the Republican rank-and-file, a House Republican aide said, and will drive conservatives to the polls -- unlike the recent Senate debate on gay marriage or the upcoming vote on an amendment to ban flag burning.
My initial request was met with a courteous, but "less than enthusiastic" response from Hastert's campaign manager, David From.
This afternoon I will be a featured speaker at a rally in Chicago and I will issue the challenge before a national media audience.
I will be updating this diary after my speech this afternoon, but before I get started I want to ask Kossacks to do a little bit of research. I don't recall seeing a campaign office listed in Hastert's financial disclosure statements in the past, but I may have missed it. Would someone mind scrubbing his FEC reports to see who is paying for the office at 335 N. River St. in Batavia, IL. Additionally, it would be good to know, "when was the last time he had a campaign office?" Here is a picture.
I just wanted to share the full text of the letter that I delivered to Hastert's office this afternoon.
July 19, 2006
Dear Mr. Hastert,
It has come to my attention that you have purposely delayed a House/Senate joint compromise session that would hammer out details for a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
After 20 years in Congress, six of those years as Speaker of the House, why is it that you are just now getting around to tackling the immigration issue. Almost one year ago today you said that immigration would be a top priority.
July 29, 2005 - Washington Times
House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert said yesterday his chamber will work to produce an immigration bill this year. The Illinois Republican placed immigration near the top of the list of priorities when Congress returns from its August recess, just below the must-pass spending bills and just before Social Security. He said any immigration bill must mix enforcement, a program for new foreign workers and a solution to the illegal aliens now here.
Now, as the election quickly approaches you are protecting a Republican majority from casting a deciding vote and hiding behind pending "hearings." I agree with the Boston Globe on this one. I think that you are simply trying to delay this issue beyond the 2006 mid-term election.
June 21, 2006 - Boston Globe
WASHINGTON -- Speaker J. Dennis Hastert announced a plan yesterday for House committees to hold an unusual series of hearings on the Senate immigration bill this summer, a move that will leave little time for Congress to reach an agreement on a comprehensive overhaul of the nation's immigration laws before the November elections.
The decision delays until at least September the appointment of a House-Senate conference committee that will be charged with bridging the vast differences between the immigration bills passed by the House and the Senate.
It also will give House members a chance to tout their support for stronger border enforcement at forums around the country in the weeks before the mid term congressional elections.
I have spoken to many concerned citizens in Illinois' 14th District who want to know why you have not dealt with this issue during the last 20 years and why you are not letting them know where you really stand before Nov. of 2006.
Recently, more citizens are concerned that you were using their tax money to hold hearings all over the country yet none of these hearings are being held in Illinois' 14th District. I believe that the people of this district deserve to have their voices heard.
I have plans to schedule a "Town Hall" type meeting in Illinois 14th District to discuss the issue and let voters know where I stand. I would like to formally invite you to this town hall meeting and let the citizens of this district know where their current Congressman stands on the issue.
My campaign staff stands ready to work with yours on finding a date during the August recess, when you may be most available to attend and hear the voices of your constituents at a location to be determined within the 14th Congressional District. Our campaign headquarters can be reached by contacting:
John Laesch for U.S. Congress
119 W. Hydraulic St.
Yorkville, IL 60560
630.385.8568
jen@john06.com
I see this as an ideal time to have our first debate and I would like to invite you to the town hall meeting. Let's have open and honest government that includes the citizens' opinion. We should also let the voters know where we really stand.
The event should be open to the public and I would be happy to work out an agreed upon format for meaningful dialogue and citizen input.
I do wish you a speedy and full recovery from your recent bout in the hospital. You won't find better care than that delivered by the nurses and doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
Respectfully,
John Laesch
Democratic Candidate for U.S. House
Illinois' 14th District
I will not be sticking around to answer questions until I get back later this evening.
Respectfully,
John Laesch