A Nov. 22 story reported “Herrera Beutler follows party line in criticizing executive action.” The hypocrisy shown by Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Vancouver, was astounding when she stated, “the President’s action undermines the trust he needs to build with the American people.” Americans’ trust in the Republican-controlled House is much lower than in the president.
In her view, Obama’s action will “delay the ability to work through immigration reforms legislatively.” He acted precisely because her House leadership “delayed” (refused to vote) on the bipartisan immigration bill passed by the Senate. She knows that bill would have passed the House with bipartisan support (probably including hers) if a vote had been allowed.
I feel sorry for the Congresswoman’s political need to support a still-unclear GOP immigration plan and complete inaction. Her Hispanic ancestors are probably rolling over in their graves over her lack of courage to state she would have voted “yes” for the Senate bill or at least propose a specific remedy to this crisis.
She has done neither.
Robert Poole
Vancouver
