martes, 30 de enero de 2018

Koch Network Warns Trump Against ‘Arbitrary’ Immigration Cuts



By
John McCormick

Influential group says immigrants are key to nation’s future
Charles Koch has expressed strong support for the ‘dreamers’


The Koch political network on Saturday called on President Donald Trump and members of Congress to avoid any "arbitrary" reductions in immigration as part of negotiations over the future of undocumented "dreamers" brought to the U.S. as children.

“Immigrants are essential to the success of our country and addressing the plight of the dreamers is a top priority for this network," Brian Hooks, a senior official with the Koch organization, said in a statement. "We are committed to working with Congress and the White House to find a solution that does this without arbitrarily reducing the number of people who come here to contribute."

A statement from the group -- the most influential conservative organization outside the Republican Party -- was issued as hundreds of donors and potential donors gathered for a weekend summit at a desert resort near Palm Springs, California.

It was delivered following a proposal Thursday from the Trump administration that calls for a path to citizenship for as many as 1.8 million undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. But Trump also called for a reduction of legal immigration, as well as a $25 billion trust fund to pay for a southern border wall and other enhanced border security measures.
‘Moral Imperative’

A reduction in immigration runs counter to the views of the group’s top benefactors, billionaires Charles and David Koch. Charles Koch in December wrote an opinion piece with Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook that said it was a "political, economic and moral imperative" to quickly help the young immigrants with a permanent solution so they can "plan their lives and develop their talents.”

Keeping the Kochs and their donors happy is important for the GOP in an election year. The network pledged to spend $300 million to $400 million on policy and political campaigns in 2017 and 2018, up from the roughly $250 million during the 2015-2016 campaign season. The money will be spread across groups that have a presence in more than 30 states and a voter-turnout operation that rivals the Republican Party’s.

The Kochs didn’t support Trump in the 2016 campaign, although members of their affiliated groups hold a range of views on the president and his policies.
Annual Gatherings

With more than 700 donors who give a minimum of $100,000 per year and many other smaller donors, the Koch network has convened gatherings like the one this weekend twice annually since 2003. The group’s June meeting in Colorado attracted four governors, six senators and five House members. Vice President Mike Pence also met privately with Charles Koch before the session began.

The full list of elected officials expected to attend this weekend’s gathering hasn’t been disclosed, but a person with knowledge of the list said invited speakers include Governors Matt Bevin of Kentucky and Doug Ducey of Arizona, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, and attorneys general Adam Laxalt of Nevada and Bill Schuette of Michigan, all Republicans. The person wasn’t authorized to release the names and asked for anonymity to discuss the list.

No hay comentarios.:

Publicar un comentario