As long as we are broadcasting Tim Johnson's votes, note the differences between how Johnson and Thune have voted on immigration matters. Not surprisingly, I find Thune's voting pattern in favor of strengthening border security more defensible, but there are good arguments in favor of the Johnson position that leans toward amnesty. The least defensible position is Johnson's opposition to requiring a photo ID to vote:
Johnson and Thune also split on a proposal that will not make it into the final immigration bill. Senate Whip Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., tried to get an amendment in the bill that would have required anyone voting in a federal election to present a photo ID.
"I do support the photo ID. I think it makes a lot of sense," Thune said, and noted South Dakota is among 24 states that already have that requirement.
Johnson, however, said, "If states want to pursue that, it's their prerogative. But I do not think we need a one-size-fits-all demand from the federal government.
"I'm opposed to addressing that issue in the context of immigration. This is a complex-enough bill as it is, and I don't think we ought to be (using immigration legislation) to federalize that aspect of voting."
One would think that the integrity of federal elections is a national concern for which "one-size-fits-all" solution is appropriate. Clearly it's better to leave matters at the state level when practicable, but this is a relatively unobtrusive and sensible suggestion. The argument that it is inappropriate to address the issue in the context of immigration makes some sense, but it is not as though the matter is unrelated to immigration.
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