Republican eliminations and retirements have eliminated two-thirds of the 15 Republican lawmakers who co-sponsored Rep. Mary Salazar’s “dignified” amnesty and cheap labor bill.
In stark contrast to supporters of dignity, Republican Rep. Brendan Gill, a leading opponent of mass immigration, won a Texas district even though his constituents also supported far-left James Talarico’s bid for governor.
Pro-immigration losers include Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Young King (R-Calif.).
Salazar narrowly defeated his Democratic opponent, 50.2% to 49.8%, but faced a recount. Another supporter, Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, also faces a recount.
Co-sponsors Rep. Don Bacon (R-NB) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wa.) have retired after spending years trying to pass pro-immigration legislation.
Salazar touted her bill as a source of cheap labor for the business community, saying in April:
When people tell me I’m trying to help big businesses get cheap labor, my answer is: It’s not [just] Big business isn’t just agriculture, construction, hotels, healthcare or manufacturing – it’s also…
Who else? Farmers, dairy people. We all love milk, right? Well, there are currently 150,000 jobs in agriculture…
Manufacturer! I don’t know anyone in the manufacturing industry, but I do know that the National Association of Manufacturers decided to hold a public press conference to support [the] dignity [bill] ….Agriculture, construction, hotel industry [sectors].
However, the establishment media obscured Salazar’s efforts to extract cheap labor from developing countries. For example, CBSnews.com posted on November 4:
At the same time, Salazar supports strengthening border security while promoting reforms to the country’s immigration system to provide legal status for some undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for many years.
During the event, Salazar publicly challenges President Donald Trump Criticized some of his administration’s immigration enforcement policies and said some enforcement efforts go too far.
In defeat, Republicans led Democrats on immigration 44 percent to 40 percent, according to Tuesday’s exit polls.
After the election, Vice President J.D. Vance warned that business groups would try to blame the fiasco on mass immigration enforcement, arguing that it should be abandoned to rebuild support among working-class voters.