The stage is set for one of the most anticipated Congressional races in the country as Republican incumbant U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan is facing Democratic challenger Max Rose for the opportunity to represent constituents in New York’s 11th Congressional district covering parts of Southern Brooklyn and all of Staten Island.
While the battle behind the battle for the seat is to have Democrats take a majority control of the House, and both parties are pouring in resources in the belief the seat is up for grabs, what is sometimes lost in the politics is one of the main roles of a Congress member is to legislate and pass laws – often across the political divide – that they believe will make this country stronger and better.
That said, KCP posed the following statement and question to the two political gladiators and below that is their answers:
Both Democrats and Republicans acknowledge that immigration issues have stymied presidential administrations of both parties for roughly the past 30 years. While presidents can and have issues executive orders, the role of Congress is to pass legislation dealing with the long-term undocumented immigrants already in this country, and those seeking to enter into the United States.
As Congressman, what immigration package or stand alone bill would you go along with that you think could realistically make it out of Congress and get to the president’s desk and why?
Max Rose [The answer includes both DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – DREAMers and TPS (Temporary Protected Status) preservations]: “One of the proudest moments of my military career was attending the citizenship ceremony of one of the soldiers under my command. There is something uniquely special about the United States that would inspire someone to travel halfway around the globe and risk their lives for a country where they weren’t born nor a citizen. His story is not unlike many of the DREAMers fighting to become full citizens in the only country they’ve ever known and love. There is broad, bipartisan support for this measure, and the only thing holding it back from coming to a vote is spinelessness among some members of the Republican Congress who refuse to force a vote and bring it to the floor – Dan Donovan among them. Also, I would fight fiercely to ensure we preserve TPS for the Liberian population here on Staten Island and serve as a resource for immigrant communities who’s loved ones have been stranded overseas in war zones due to the Travel Ban.”
Dan Donovan (as per his campaign spokesperson Jessica Proud): “Congressman Donovan has consistently supported a four-pronged approach that secures our border, curbs illegal entries, enacts a merit-based system and provides a solution for children that were brought here through no fault of their own. Legislation that contains those pillars can achieve broad-based support both in Congress and the White House and will go a long way toward fixing our broken system.”
