Help Block Obama's Lawsuit Against Arizona

A very important and worthy amendment was just defeated in the Senate by a 55-43 vote. Senators Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and David Vitter (R-La.) introduced an amendment designed to stop the Obama Administration’s lawsuit against the State of Arizona and its taxpayers for SB 1070, the immigration bill that was recently passed and goes into effect July 29.

Click on the second image (below) of Senator DeMint to view a five-minute video of an interview with him on this topic.

Amendment #4464 would have prohibited President Obama, the Department of Justice, and other agencies from participating in lawsuits seeking to invalidate the Arizona law by defunding those efforts.

DeMint sought to attach the amendment to legislation extending unemployment benefits, a measure that was certain to pass, but the amendment was rejected. The pertinent but simple part of the text reads:

No funds made available in any provision of law may be used to participate in any lawsuit that seeks to invalidate those provisions of the Arizona Revised Statutes amended by Arizona Senate Bill 1070, 49th Leg., 2nd. Reg. Sess., Ch. 113 (Az 6 2010) (as amended by Arizona House bill 2162, 49th 7 Leg., 2nd Reg. Sess, Ch. 211 (Az. 2010)).

After a phone conversation with both Senators’ offices, it appears that the 55-43 vote has not left them deflated or defeated. In fact, Senator DeMint’s office was rather pleased with the vote. 

After all, the Senate is controlled by very liberal Democrats and a 55-43 vote, with two not voting -- one being Vitter who was unexpectedly called out of town --  gives some hope that this amendment can be revived and perhaps brought up again and attached to another piece of legislation.

In order to renew interest in this very effective method of stopping the Obama Administration from using taxpayer money against its own citizens in an effort to circumvent the will of the people and the Constitution, we need to become proactive.

We can immediately contact our senators and representative and encourage them to take part in protecting Arizona’s actions to reestablish the correct ground rules for legal admission into this country, helping to control the anarchy on the border as well.

First, check the roll call vote and see how your senators voted. (Two Republicans voted against the block, Mike Johann of Nebraska and George Voinovich of Ohio, while five Democrats were in favor of the amendment.)

Then, click here to send an email message to your senators and representative.

If one or both senators voted “Nay,” let them know they have transgressed the will of the people in this matter.

Next, within the same message, encourage your representative to introduce, cosponsor, and support a similar measure in the House.