Chamber of Commerce vows to fight immigration bill

[UpInArms]

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7BF620B914%2D7E79%2D4148%2D8765%2DAE3A8B13F752%7D&symbol=&siteid=mktw

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - One of Washington's most powerful business groups vowed Wednesday to continue its fight against House-passed immigration legislation that would tighten border controls and increase pressure on businesses to verify the legal status of their workers.

"We have no problem with increased border enforcement in a reasonable way, or with reasonable requirements that employers verify the work status of who they hire, but we strongly oppose the House bill, as does much of the business community, because it is simply unworkable, unreasonable and fundamentally unfair," said Tom Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The House of Representatives last month passed immigration legislation that includes a provision that would require all employers to submit Social Security numbers and other information to a national database that would be used to verify the status of workers.

Donohue, in a press briefing outlining the business group's 2006 legislative goals, dismissed critics who have charged that business lobbyists have opposed the bill because businesses are seeking a cheap labor force.

Donohue said American employers are simply facing an overall labor shortage, which will be exacerbated as the Baby Boom generation nears retirement.

...more...

[DBoon]

1. I would almost support this bill

just based on these arguments against it.

labor shortage, my ass

[NorthernSpy]

2. if the Chamber of Commerce people love Mexico so goddamn much...

... we should drag them to the border and drop-kick them across it.

I've absolutely HAD it with these whiny businessmen who are destroying this country for their own selfish ends!