This discussion on cspan reminds me of the Terri Schiavo debate

[pinkpops]

They are debating legislative action to intervene in the conviction of the boder control agents.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. They don't have the authority to legislate this

how the hell did this even get on the floor?

[dorkulon]

2. It's pissing off the freepers

How dare they accuse our brave border cops? In favor of those greasy illegals! Strictly authoritarian jerk-off material.

[Hekate]

3. Possibly because Lou Dobbs has been fomenting this as an issue...

...and as a result I'll bet a lot of voters have been writing/calling their congresscritters.

Hekate

[pinkpops]

4. It's like an inverse bill of attainder

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. bill of attainder

bill of attainder - Permitted under old English law, but prohibited under US law. Neither the Federal, nor the several state governments may enact a bill of attainder. See, US Const. Art. 1, Sec. 9 & 10. A Bill of Attainder is a law that finds a particular person guilty of a crime and imposes a penalty upon that person, without an appropriate trial.
http://www.agh-attorneys.com/3_camo_glossary.htm#-%20B%20-

:) I had to look it up.