'Sanctuary' cities put law-abiding citizens at risk

July 6, 2016
The holiday fireworks are over, but Congress may be the scene of another show. Here is your weekly insight: Senate Republicans have scheduled a vote to withhold funds for "sanctuary" cities, the House will resume its fight on gun control, and the NATO alliance gathers in Warsaw, Poland, during a critical moment for the organization. —Michelle Cordero, Managing Editor, Heritage.org
"Sanctuary" cities put law-abiding citizens at risk. The Senate will vote on two bills this week to address local jurisdictions that don't cooperate with U.S. immigration officials. The bills were inspired by Kate Steinle, the San Francisco woman who was shot and killed by an illegal immigrant from Mexico with a criminal record and multiple deportations. President Obama is putting our security at risk by failing to enforce our laws and ignoring border security. We need an orderly process that rewards legal immigrants instead of illegal immigrants who break our laws to come and stay here. Heritage has a 10-step checklist for revitalizing America's immigration system.
Stop pretending the threat from Islamist terrorism doesn't exist. Despite opposition from conservatives, the House plans to vote later this week on a gun control bill that would ban firearms sales to those on the no-fly list. This comes on the heels of a sit-in by Democrats meant to demand action on more gun control measures after the terrorist attack in Orlando. Such measures would not have stopped attacks such as the one in Orlando. To defeat the ISIS threat at home, we need to understand the nature of the threat of Islamist extremism and stop pretending it doesn't exist.
We must defend the Baltics from Russia. The NATO alliance will gather Friday and Saturday. The summit provides an opportunity to stress the defense of the Baltic states, one of the most complex regions the alliance is obligated to defend. With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Baltic states are afraid of a potential attack from Russia. Defending them would deter Russian aggression and be far easier than liberating them after the fact. Heritage has advocated for a strong Baltic defense since 2013 (before Russia's recent aggression in the region.) Read the latest report on the Baltics here and the rest of Heritage's NATO suggestions here.
HAPPENING AT HERITAGE
Thursday at 8:30 a.m., Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, will discuss rebuilding the U.S. military.
Thursday at noon, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will discuss Obama's order regarding access by gender identity to school showers, lockers, and bathrooms.
Thursday at 3 p.m., Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, will speak on concerns about Commerce Department plans to give up its important role with the internet.
POLICY PICTURE
The true revolutionary significance of the Declaration of Independence—then as well as now—is the declaration of a new basis of political legitimacy in the sovereignty of the people. The Americans' final appeal was not to any man-made decree or evolving spirit but to rights inherently possessed by all men.
Have a question? Email us at ManagingEditor@heritage.org.
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