URGENT: Tanith Legislation Update - Calls to Congressman James Walsh (NY) Needed

[Reckless]

This is an urgent request for support for the legislation that will help Tanith and Ben go the Olympics. Congress is now in conference over H.R. 3010, and deciding whether to keep Senate Amendment 2268, the legislation that permits Tanith to receive the benefits of the streamlined immigration process that went into effect after they applied for their Green Cards. At the conference, Congressman James Walsh of New York has questioned the legislation on the grounds that he believes it will prevent deserving American skaters from going to the Olympics. His opposition could very well stop the legislation from passing.

As most people familiar with Tanith’s and Ben’s competitive history are aware, the reason we have three ice dance teams going to this year’s Olympics is largely the product of their success at last year’s World Championships. Tanith and Ben want to fill a position on the Olympic team that they helped create.

We urgently need fans and friends who live in Congressman Walsh’s district in New York to contact his office and urge him to support Senate Amendment 2268. Tell him that Tanith and Ben are deserving Americans, who have demonstrated their dedication to the United States by competing internationally for this country since 1999.

Congressman Walsh’s district is in Wayne and Onondaga Counties, and includes the cities of Syracuse and Palmyra.

Please call as quickly as possible. This matter is extremely urgent, and we do not know if faxes or emails will be read in time. If you can call the District of Columbia number, that is best. It really is important that he receive a lot of calls right now so he drops his opposition.

District of Columbia: (202) 225-3701
Syracuse: (315) 423-5657
Palmyra: (315) 597-6138 or (877) 230-7532

[phoenix]

can people from outside his area call, or only his own constituents?

[Reckless]

Right now, we are asking that only constituents call.

[Reckless]

Great news!

Representative Walsh has withdrawn his opposition to the amendment and it has been left in the conference bill. The conference will not return to it, so it will remain in the final bill that goes to the House and Senate for final vote.

Let me say that Representative Walsh was very fair in his consideration of the issues. His actions are understandable in light of the information he had when he first raised his objection, but he was willing to consider all of the information he was provided and, based on the additional information, agreed that the proposal was fair. He should be commended for that. So should Senator Levin and his staff, which once again, was invaluable in their work in keeping the amendment in the conference bill.

I also want to let everyone know that your calls to Representative Walsh made a tremendous difference. Once again, the fans came through for Tanith and Ben, who I can report, are incredibly thrilled, but also recognize that there are remain more steps in the process.

At this point, there is no further need to call Representative Walsh.

[dbny]

Thank you for your work and for letting us know the good news.

[dewey]

I am allowing myself to hope that Tanith and Ben will be in Italy. Good work! Thanks.

[Samskate]

Unfortunately, according to the news last night, the bill was voted down, so Tanith and Ben going to the Olympics is still not certain. :(i

[SkateFan123]

Great news!

Representative Walsh has withdrawn his opposition to the amendment and it has been left in the conference bill. The conference will not return to it, so it will remain in the final bill that goes to the House and Senate for final vote.

Let me say that Representative Walsh was very fair in his consideration of the issues. His actions are understandable in light of the information he had when he first raised his objection, but he was willing to consider all of the information he was provided and, based on the additional information, agreed that the proposal was fair. He should be commended for that. So should Senator Levin and his staff, which once again, was invaluable in their work in keeping the amendment in the conference bill.

I also want to let everyone know that your calls to Representative Walsh made a tremendous difference. Once again, the fans came through for Tanith and Ben, who I can report, are incredibly thrilled, but also recognize that there are remain more steps in the process.

At this point, there is no further need to call Representative Walsh.

I doubt that Walsh changed his mind on the bill based on citizenship. This bill has lots of spending issues to be resolved.

[Reckless]

I doubt that Walsh changed his mind on the bill based on citizenship. This bill has lots of spending issues to be resolved.
There are two different things. Walsh raised a specific objection to the amendment added in the Senate that will shorten citizenship for Tanith and Max Zavozin. That objection was raised in the conference between members of the House and Senate to negotiate over the differences between the House and Senate versions of the appropriations bill. (The Senate version had the amendment; the House version did not.) After receiving people's calls (which were very influential) and considering additional information, Congressman Walsh withdrew that objection so the amendment remained in the final spending bill.

For the final vote on the bill following the conference, the citizenship issue probably played little or no role in any member's votes. (Congressman Walsh voted for that bill by the way, and was not one of the 22 Republicans who sided with the Democrats in voting down the bill.)

[SkateFan123]

USFS announced that Ben and Tanith withdrew from NHK due to Ben's groin injury.

He expects to be back in time for the USFSCs.

[LittleBitSk8er]

What is on the bill? How will it affect the general population and what are the cost associated with the bill? As you might know the current president :frus: is on a spending spree and going to leave us far worse off than past presidents. All of that should play a factor in the decision. I assume that there is much more to it than Tanith citizenship.

BTW: This is the first time in a while I have had time to read the boards..