An Emotional Morning
A very strange show of emotion on the House floor this morning over Rep. Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles' bill that creates an offense for unlawfully transporting illegal immigrants.
When Rep. Gonzalez Toureilles got to the microphone to explain her bill, she was crying so hard she almost couldn't get out the words. She said lege council had done something to the bill that made it so personally offensive she wanted to pull the bill.
The offensive change? Apparently it's the use of the term "illegal alien."
Word on the floor is Rep. Gonzalez Toureilles wanted the term "undocumented person" in the bill -- or ANYTHING other than "illegal alien." But a bunch of House R's are snapping at each other this morning about how the term shouldn't be changed back, and "illegal alien" is the legal term.
We'll see if there will be any movement to amend the language.
**UPDATE** Rep. Gonzalez Toureilles just offered an amendment to the bill to change "illegal alien" to "undocumented person." The bill just passed unanimously.
Comments
Why the change of heart? It said "illegal alien" in committee. Did she cry then? I guess after Paul Moreno cries, you also have to cry.
Posted by: Pancho | May 11, 2007 11:03 AM
If I walk from the beach to my car, in my swim trunks without my wallet, am I an undocumented person? And why are only idiots elected to the legislature?
Posted by: Wayne | May 11, 2007 1:01 PM
HB 1997 said "illegal alien" when she filed it ( in February. ). It also said "illegal alien" in the committee substitute. It said "illegal alien" when she passed it to third reading, last night. But this morning, Lege Council, "did something to it". Sneaky Lege Council.
Posted by: Bubba Galt | May 11, 2007 2:32 PM
I'm surprised she didn't blame the Speaker for failing to give her a box to stand on so she could see over the podium.
Posted by: Dave | May 11, 2007 4:15 PM
That bill said "illegal alien" from the moment she filed it. What a pathetic attempt to fabricate a race-based confrontation.
Cry me a river.
Let me guess, it's the speaker's fault because he didn't tell her she should read her bill before it comes to the floor of the House?
Posted by: Cali | May 11, 2007 8:36 PM