WCVI ACTION ALERT!

- Support AgJOBS -

NEW: Updated Blueprint for Immigration Reform (PDF)

Dear Friends of WCVI,

Senators Larry Craig (R-ID) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) sought a vote on AgJOBS (S. 1645/H.R. 3142) in the Senate as an amendment to the class action bill two weeks ago. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist obstructed AgJOBS and other amendments. When Frist's back-room maneuvers failed, he forced a "cloture" vote, hoping to prohibit amendments. Our AgJOBS coalition mobilized and demanded debate and a vote on AgJOBS. Senator Larry Craig strongly criticized Frist's efforts. Sen. Craig voted with most Democrats to defeat the cloture motion. The AgJOBS coalition demonstrated real power. Frist withdrew the class action bill from consideration rather than vote on AgJOBS. He knew that with 63 cosponsors, including 26 Republicans, AgJOBS was likely to be approved if it came to a vote. So, we did not get a vote and an important constituency of the Senate leadership did not get the class action legislation.

Since our last action alert, it has become even more clear that the White House instructed Senate Republican leaders to avoid a vote on AgJOBS. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Senator Craig "confirmed that the administration did ask him not to offer the proposal." On Saturday, The Palm Beach Post reported on the story, highlighting the efforts of the United Farm Workers and other Latino leaders to persuade President Bush to stop interfering with AgJOBS. On Sunday, the Miami Herald's editorial criticized the President about his obstruction of AgJOBS.

We continue to need individuals and organizations to send President Bush the message that he should instruct Sen. First to allow AgJOBS to be debated during the next several weeks. Congress will be in session this week, and then will recess, returning after Labor Day for about one month.

Please ask your members, friends, family and colleagues to call and fax the White House. The White House telephone comment line is 202-456-1111. Please say something like:

"Please tell the President to strongly support the "AgJOBS" farmworker immigration bill, S.1645, and have Senate Majority Leader Frist schedule debate on AgJOBS as an amendment to other legislation. Thank you."

Say it slowly to avoid confusion.

The White House FAX number is 202-456-2461.

CLICK HERE to see a sample Letter that can be mailed and/or faxed to your state Senator!

The fax and contact numbers to all State Senators are available on our website HERE,
or go to www.fwjustice.org, click on legislative news, and then "call to action."

For More Information, please read our WCVI.org Action Alert Newsletter and take Action!