Contrary to popular belief, ancient Rome was never a democracy. The senators were the only citizens in the empire who actually had a vote, and they served for life. It started as a noble concept, but was eventually – like all human endeavors – corrupted.
 
In contemporary times “Roman Senate” has become an unflattering reference to an aloof, corrupt oligarchy. Which pretty much describes the legislative branch of our government these days – especially the senate.

Yesterday’s vote against the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act (S. 2146) was typical of senators’ self-serving betrayal of their constituents. And they were aided and abetted by the msm ~ Networks Fail to Cover Senate Democrats Blocking Bill Cracking Down on Sanctuary Cities ~

The “big three” networks of ABC, CBS, and NBC punted Tuesday night on news that Senate Democrats successfully blocked legislation aimed at cracking down on sanctuary cities like San Francisco that lead to murders like that of 32-year-old Kate Steinle by an illegal immigrant.

 
Motivated to action in response to Steinle’s murder by a five-times-deported illegal alien, David Vitter (R-LA) sponsored the legislation which would have withheld specific funding from self-proclaimed “sanctuary cities.”
 

According to The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), who fully supported the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act (SSPPA), the bill would have ~

• Created a uniform national definition of what constitutes a “sanctuary jurisdiction.”
• Denyied SCAAP, COPS and HUD grants to sanctuary jurisdictions and redirected those funds to compliant jurisdictions.
• Increased penalties against illegal aliens who reenter the country after deportation.
• Protected individuals who are victims of crimes, or who provided information to police. Such individuals could not be asked about immigration status or have their immigration status investigated.

Considering the fact that sanctuary cities are illegal, that their very existence is a violation of federal immigration law, this bill should have been a slam-dunk. This was a common sense proposal to deter the roughly 300 jurisdictions across the country that harbor illegals. And whether the president would have vetoed it or not is beside the point. Congress should be acting on the will of their constituents, not pandering to an out-of-control executive (who never even saw fit to mention Steinle’s tragic murder.)
 
The House has already passed similar legislation. And after all, Republicans are the majority party in both houses. But party membership is no longer any reliable barometer for a congressman’s vote. For the elite ruling class, “Republican” and “Democrat” designations are increasingly irrelevant. They don’t really care what a majority of the country wants. It’s the “Roman Senate” against the rubes.
 

They’re all in bed with the K-street lobbyists. The media covers for them. And we-the-people are merely an annoyance, easily dismissed and ignored.

 
This tweet from actor James Woods summed things up nicely ~

The NAY voters on "sanctuary cities" will have to answer to their own consciences. #KateSteinle pic.twitter.com/SErqM0ZIWN

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) October 21, 2015

 
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Related:
After Dems Block ‘Kate’s Law’ in Senate, San Francisco Reaffirms Status as Illegal Immigrant ‘Sanctuary’
Roll call vote on Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act (S. 2146)
See How Your Senators Voted on Sanctuary Cities