Tag Archives: Treaty

Mexican Social Security Deal Files Face Release

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By DAN MCCUE

(CN) – A group deserves more information from government agencies on a treaty that could provide Mexican nationals with U.S. Social Security benefits, a federal judge ruled.

At issue is a “totalization agreement” Mexico and the United States reached in 2004 on the payment of Social Security benefits. After nearly 10 years, Congress still has never ratified the agreement.

The Social Security Administration says the U.S. has comparable agreements with other countries, and in this specific case, enactment of the treaty would save U.S. workers and their employers about $140 million in Mexican social security and health insurance taxes over the first five years of the agreement.

In July 2008, TREA Senior Citizens League filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act for 19 specific categories of records on the agreement created since 2001.

The nonprofit takes its name from The Retired Enlisted Association and represents the interests of senior citizens.

Ultimately, the State Department identified 124 united, responsive documents. It released 44 of those papers in full, but withheld 43 in part and 21 in full.

The remaining 16 documents were referred to other government agencies for their review and direct resolution.

TREA Senior Citizens League sued, and the federal government moved for summary judgment. In its opposition to this motion, the plaintiff challenged the withholding, in whole or in part, of 19 documents.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell largely sided with the senior citizen’s group last year, ruling that the State Department must explain the secrecy surrounding its plan to give Mexican nationals Social Security benefits.

Read more at Courthouse News Service

Governor Brewer vetoes bills strengthening Sheriff controls and endorsing the Second Amendment

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PHOENIX—Governor Jan Brewer, whose finger-wag was seen ’round the world, vetoed Arizona H.B. 2434 which would have required federal law enforcement officials to report to the County Sheriff prior to taking any law enforcement action.

In her April 11th letter, she informed House Speaker Andy Tobin of her concerns with interference with federal agencies.

“This legislation has the potential to interfere with law enforcement investigations and adds unneeded reporting requirements for law enforcement. Rather than hinder the efforts of our federal law enforcement colleagues, we need to focus on collaboration,” she wrote.

She noted that the Arizona Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center gathers local, state and federal law enforcement to jointly fight against terrorism and other serious crimes. Apparently that does not include securing the southern border.

The Governor also vetoed House Joint Resolution 2001 “Authorizing opposition to the use of an international force on american soil that seeks to enforce any united Nations treaty that has not been ratified by the United States senate.”

The resolution reads:

Whereas, the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution firmly states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”; and

Whereas, Article II, section 26, Arizona Constitution, states, “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or the state shall not be impaired”; and

Whereas, member nations of the United Nations have formed committees with the intent to regulate private firearm ownership; and

Whereas, the United Nations committees have held hearings on the Arms Trade Treaty, which includes regulation of private firearms ownership; and

Whereas, the Constitution of the United States prevents the President from enacting a treaty without ratification from the United States Senate; and

Whereas, the National Rifle Association has secured the commitment from 58 current United States senators that they would not ratify the United Nations’ Arms Trade Treaty as long as it includes regulation of private firearms ownership; and

Whereas, the United Nations Security Council regularly shows its disregard for sovereign nations and their constitutions and laws; and

Whereas, the United Nations has used force to disarm citizens of a sovereign nation in the past, which led to mass killings by bladed weapons; and

Whereas, the United Nations often uses international forces to impose its will on sovereign nations.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

1. That the State of Arizona opposes any use of an international force on American soil that seeks to enforce any United Nations treaty that has not been properly ratified by the United States Senate.

2. That the State of Arizona authorizes using organized resistance to thwart any international force that infringes on the United States Constitution or any of its amendments.

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