Although the House Armed Services Committee did not insert military amnesty into the defense bill, such poor immigration policy may still slip its way into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this month. Just ask the chair of the House Armed Services Committee.
Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) said Tuesday that House leadership could “let somebody offer an amendment” to the NDAA that would insert amnesty. Two weeks ago, McKeon had also hinted to Laura Ingraham that “somebody may try to attach” amnesty to the NDAA.
Then during Wednesday’s markup, Armed Services Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) proposed adding an amendment that would grant amnesty to illegal aliens just for enlisting in the military, but promptly withdrew his proposal.
At issue is McKeon’s fellow California Republican Congressman Jeff Denham’s ENLIST Act, H.R. 2377, which would grant certain illegal aliens amnesty if they joined the U.S. military.
The American Legion and 16 distinguished retired military leaders have opposed inserting an amnesty into the NDAA, and there are many reasons to oppose the ENLIST Act. If the House Armed Services Committee Chair admits that military amnesty could still make its way into the defense bill, there’s still reason to be concerned when the NDAA hits the House floor later this month.