2 Cabinet secretaries pull out of Senate immigration hearing

[sabra]

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http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/politics/12229563.htm

2 Cabinet secretaries pull out of Senate immigration hearing

WASHINGTON - (KRT) - Two Cabinet secretaries failed to appear at a Senate hearing Tuesday on immigration reform, calling into question the administration's commitment to an issue that many believe will require a major presidential push to get off the ground.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao told Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter on Friday that they would not testify at the high-profile hearing, the first session called to review the two major reform bills the Senate could consider this fall.

"I want to hear what their program is," Specter, R-Pa, said after the hearing, packed with lobbyists on both sides of the issue. "I want to know what the president would like to accomplish."

Specter said his committee will not let the administration's inaction stop his panel from doing its work. The Judiciary Committee's plate will be particularly full this fall as it considers the nomination of Judge John G. Roberts to be a U.S. Supreme Court justice. But Specter told his colleagues he believes they can get a bill to the floor this year. All the more reason, he said, for the president to weigh in soon.

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[bemildred]

1. Can you say subpoena?

There, I knew you could.

[journalist3072]

2. Arrogance...

I mean really, this is the most arrogant administration I have seen.

They do not respect Congress' role of oversight. Congress has a right to know what the man occupying the oval intends to do in the area of immigration. Why were they so scared to testify?

[meganmonkey]

3. Homeland Security and Labor?

Are you fucking kidding me?

Goddamn arrogant fuckwads!!!!

:grr: :mad: :grr: :mad: :grr:

[ellenfl]

4. according to lou dobbs tonight,

the dhs characterized the senate hearings as a 'panel discussion'!

ellen fl