David Welna

Immigration Bill Chugs Along, But Some See Deal-Breakers

David Welna — Sat, 18 May 2013 09:13:00 +0000

It's been a long slog already for the bipartisan immigration overhaul proposed by the Senate's Gang of Eight.

The legislation has been the target of more than 300 amendments during days of debate and votes by the Senate Judiciary Committee. But while the bill has largely held its own so far, its prospects for getting through Congress remain uncertain.

In Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy's view, the immigration overhaul is "moving very well."

"It's moving a lot faster than people said it would," says Leahy, a Vermont Democrat.

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Senate Panel Continues Efforts To Reshape Immigration Overhaul

David Welna — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:04:00 +0000

Senators on the Judiciary Committee spent their second full day slogging through proposed amendments to the bipartisan immigration overhaul. Tuesday's subject was the method of awarding visas for those wanting to come here to study and work.

Lawmakers Call For Hearings On IRS Scandal

David Welna — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:49:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

This IRS scandal has given Republicans an unexpected opportunity to chide the Obama administration. And it comes as the GOP was resurrecting questions about how top Washington officials, including the president, handled the attacks on a U.S.

Immigration Overhaul Bill Survives Daylong Revamp

David Welna — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:30:00 +0000

NPR's congressional correspondent David Welna speaks with host Scott Simon about the flurry of last-minute amendments, most from conservative Republicans, to alter the bipartisan immigration legislation.

Immigration Bill Remains Largely Intact After 1st Hearing

David Welna — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:58:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. I'm Steve Inskeep.

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

And I'm David Greene. Let's get an update now on one of this year's major policy debates. There is an immigration bill under consideration. The law, if passed, has the potential to be a major success story for President Obama and for the bipartisan group of lawmakers who drafted it. Opponents of the bill have major concerns about how it treats people who came to the U.S.

Democrats Skeptical Of Republican 'Debt Prioritization' Bill

David Welna — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:34:00 +0000

House Republicans have passed a bill that would tell President Obama which bills to pay first, should the U.S. Treasury run out of cash and risk default, like it almost did two summers ago. The proposal is not likely to move in the Democratic Senate, and the issue itself is fading in urgency as the deficit picture improves.

Republicans Vow To Keep Pressure On Benghazi Probe

David Welna — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:45:00 +0000

A House committee held a hearing Wednesday into last year's attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The event has been a key political weapon for Republicans, first against President Obama's re-election campaign, and now against then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2016.

Congressional Hearings Put Renewed Focus On Benghazi Attack

David Welna — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:29:00 +0000

It has been nearly eight months since attacks on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, killed four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens.

In March, President Obama nominated Deborah K. Jones, a career diplomat and Middle East expert, to succeed Stevens.

How Much Will Revamping Immigration Cost Taxpayers?

David Welna — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:11:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. Good morning, I'm David Greene.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep.

This week, Congress debates an immigration bill, a plan by the bipartisan Gang of Eight, as they're called. The Senate Judiciary Committee begins reviewing the legislation on Thursday.

GREENE: Part of the debate is between Republicans and Democrats. But maybe the most vital debate is between conservatives.

INSKEEP: Many Republicans have said their party must approve immigration reform.

Gun Background Check Vote Causes Heat At Home For N.H. Rep. Ayotte

David Welna — Fri, 03 May 2013 08:29:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

After any contentious debate in Washington, it's often interesting to see how a lawmaker is welcomed home, depending on how he or she voted. Some of the senators who voted down bipartisan gun control legislation last month are taking heat in the aftermath of December's mass killing at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the state of Connecticut. The bill would have expanded background checks, and the only New England senator who opposed it was New Hampshire Republican Kelly Ayotte.

Obama Answers Questions On Syria, Guantanamo, More

David Welna — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:19:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep. Let's talk about President Obama's news conference this morning on the 100th day of his second term. NPR's David Welna has been listening in this morning. Hi, David.

DAVID WELNA, BYLINE: Hi, Steve.

INSKEEP: The president was immediately asked about the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

WELNA: Yes, he was. And he said that if chemicals weapons were used in Syria, it would be a game-changer.

Boston Case Casts Shadow Over Senate Immigration Hearing

David Welna — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:46:00 +0000

The Senate Judiciary Committee turned its attention back to the immigration overhaul proposal Monday, even as opponents began to use the Boston bombers' journey to the United States as a cautionary tale.

'Gang Of 8' Rolls Out Immigration Overhaul

David Welna — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:55:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Okay, we are continuing to follow the events in Boston this morning. Police there say one of the suspected Boston Marathon bombers has been killed and the other is on the run in the Boston suburb of Watertown. For the moment, let's turn to another major story here in Washington. A bipartisan bill revamping the nation's immigration laws goes to the Senate judiciary committee today.

It was formerly rolled out yesterday by the group of Senators known as the Gang of Eight and critics have weighed in.

Evangelicals Become Unlikely Supporters Of Immigration Reform

David Welna — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:37:00 +0000

Transcript

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

This is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. I'm Melissa Block.

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

I'm Robert Siegel. And there was a big moment in the United States Senate today. It was barely morning, the wee hours, around 2:00 a.m. An immigration reform bill was filed, more than 800 pages of legislation. It would tighten security along the borders, expand worker visas and offer a 13-year path to citizenship to people who live in this country illegally.

We're going to hear now about those who support it and those who do not.

GOP Wants Immigration Bill To Address Border Security

David Welna — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:29:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

A bipartisan immigration bill in the U.S. Senate contains a prerequisite. Before millions of people in the U.S. without documents have a chance at visas and eventual citizenship, the borders must be secured. So what qualifies as secure?

Here's NPR's David Welna.

DAVID WELNA, BYLINE: For years, Republican lawmakers have insisted that before anything can be done for the millions of people in the country unlawfully, the land borders over which most of them entered must be brought under control.

Sen. Marco Rubio Touts Upcoming Immigration Bill

David Welna — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:42:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Here's a bit of Washington language: getting on all five of the Sunday morning TV political talk shows is known as the full Ginsburg, named for William H. Ginsburg, Monica Lewinsky's lawyer, who was the first to achieve this feat back in 1998.

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Now, many more have gone on to reach that mark: Among them, Dick Cheney, George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton. Then comes yesterday: Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio topped them all.

Immigration Reform Gains Momentum In Congress

David Welna — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:01:00 +0000

Transcript

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Melissa Block.

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

And I'm Audie Cornish.

In the Senate today, a gun control bill overcame a filibuster that had been blocking its consideration. That major piece of legislation will likely occupy much of the Senate's time in the coming weeks. But hard on its heels is another big bill: a revamping of the rules on immigration.

Thousands Rally In Support Of Immigration Overhaul

David Welna — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:15:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep reporting this week from Caracas, Venezuela.

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

And I'm David Greene in Washington.

Thousands of immigrants and their supporters from across the country flocked to the U.S. Capitol yesterday; they were there for a National Rally for Citizenship. It was the largest public show of support yet for efforts in Congress to pass a big immigration overhaul this year.

Immigration Protesters Aim For Rally To Motivate Lawmakers

David Welna — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:57:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Now, here in Washington they are calling it the All-In for Citizenship rally. Tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected today on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. It's to be the biggest event yet in the push to revamp the nation's immigration laws. And congressional negotiators say they are close to unveiling a comprehensive immigration bill.

Fears Of Government Tyranny Push Some To Reject Gun Control

David Welna — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:23:00 +0000

As the Senate returns from a two-week spring recess Monday, topping its agenda is legislation to try to curb the kind of gun violence that took the lives of 20 first-graders in Connecticut last December.

Recent polls show broad popular support for enhanced background checks and bans on military-style guns and ammunition.