Despite the 326 days Since the Senate Passed Immigration Reform With No Action from House, Coffman Continues to Talk About His Military Dreamer Bill and Do Nothing
Today, Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) spoke about the need to provide immigrant youth the chance to earn citizenship through service in the military. That would have been a bold step 1) if this were early 2013 and Republicans were just teeing up immigration bills to consider in the session, or 2) if his party hadn’t already flatly rejected the legislation that would do just that.
Yet, Mike Coffman continues his cynical attempt to earn credit for a few well-placed comments about young immigrants serving in the military, while his party blocks votes on legislation designed open enrollment to certain undocumented youth. What’s more, Rep. Coffman is a member of the Armed Services Committee, but actually opposed including a similar bill introduced by Rep. Denham, the ENLIST Act, as an amendment during the committee mark-up of the National Defense Authorization Act.
“Mike Coffman continues to play politics with his constituents’ lives. We see through his game of only words and no actions. If he really cared about immigration reform, he would sign on to support HR 15,” said Becky Torres, an SEIU Local 105 member and registered voter in Aurora.
Since Rep. Coffman took office, the only vote he’s taken on immigration was on an amendment introduced by extremist Rep. Steve King (R-IA) to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and subject DREAMers to deportation. That’s a far cry from showing leadership on reform.
Then, he had the chance to support HR 15, a bipartisan bill with nearly 200 cosponsors, but has refused.
“Congressman Coffman’s lack of meaningful action to advance immigration reform demonstrates that he is out of touch with the urgent reality on the ground for thousands of Colorado families facing separation and Colorado businesses facing workforce shortages and instability,” said Julien Ross, Executive Director of CIRC Action Fund, Colorado’s statewide immigrant advocacy organization. “Voters will remember in November if immigration reform stalls due to the inaction of Congressman Coffman and the House leadership.”
Patty Kupfer, Managing Director of America’s Voice who’s based in Colorado, said:
Mike Coffman’s support for allowing DREAMers to serve in the military is starting to ring very hollow. He is refusing to move even this extremely modest proposal and meanwhile he’s sitting by blocking the real reform package. Coffman has mastered the duck and fake, but I’d like to think CD-6 voters are smarter than that.
