Stop Sanctuary Cities and Protect Americans

Senator Corker issued the following statement last week after voting to advance the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act (S.2146), legislation that would help protect families and communities from the dangers posed by sanctuary cities, which harbor criminals who are in this country illegally.

“I have been highly critical of the administration for its refusal to enforce our nation’s immigration laws, and it’s unacceptable that many cities are thwarting what little immigration enforcement is actually taking place,” said Corker. “Tennessee passed a law to prohibit these kinds of policies for a reason, and I will continue to work with my Senate colleagues to rein in this affront to our immigration laws.”

In 2013, Corker authored an amendment to the Senate-passed immigration bill to dramatically increase border security and interior enforcement. In addition to policies in the underlying bill, which would have improved the identification of visa overstays through a fully implemented entry/exit system, the amendment mandated the initiation of removal proceedings for at least 90% of visa overstays. He also offered an amendment that would have required the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to initiate removal of any individual who was arrested for an offense involving public safety and identified as unlawfully present in this country.

National Defense Authorization Act

Senator Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after President Barack Obama vetoed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“The challenges our nation faces are vast, and I can think of no higher priority than ensuring our men and women in uniform have the tools necessary to protect and defend U.S. interests at home and abroad,” said Corker. “Not only does this authorization bill allow us to continue important investments necessary for a strong national defense, including personnel benefits and equipment recapitalization, it puts in place an important process by which commanders on the ground in the U.S. are given the power to determine the best ways to protect those who serve here at home. I am extremely disappointed the president is blocking this important, bipartisan legislation.”

The NDAA passed the Senate by a vote of 70 to 27 and the House of Representatives by a vote of 270 to 156. In addition to authorizing funding for the Department of Defense, the legislation included a provision in response to the July 16, 2015, deadly attack on military installations in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The legislation would require the Secretary of Defense to establish a process by which the commanders of domestic military installations, reserve centers, recruiting centers, or other defense facilities may authorize a member of the Armed Forces who is assigned to the facility to carry an appropriate firearm on the installation if the commander determines it necessary as a personal- or force-protection measure.

Great News for the Tennessee Valley

Senator Corker released the following statement on the announcement by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that it has issued the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) a 40-year operating license for Watts Bar Unit 2.

“Today’s historic announcement is great news for the Tennessee Valley and for the future of nuclear power,” said Corker. “The second Watts Bar reactor will be the first U.S. nuclear plant of the 21st century and its safe completion is a testament to the outstanding leadership and hard work of so many across the valley. TVA’s ability to carry out its mission of providing clean, affordable, reliable power will be enhanced by the completion of Watts Bar Unit 2, and I thank all of those who have worked to make this a reality.”

With the issuance of an operating license for Unit 2, TVA’s Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, located in Spring City, Tenn., has the distinction of having the last nuclear unit to come online in the 20th Century and will have the first to come online in the 21st Century. TVA expects commercial operation to begin at Unit 2 later this year. Once Unit 2 operation begins, TVA projects the two Watts Bar units will produce enough electricity to power 1.3 million homes in the Tennessee Valley. At the height of construction, the Unit 2 project employed more than 3,500 people.

Tennesseans Visit Washington

Last Tuesday, Senators Corker and Alexander hosted more than 85 Tennesseans at “Tennessee Tuesday,” a regular breakfast held on Capitol Hill every week the Senate is in session for visitors from the Volunteer State. For more information, click here.