Yesterday, Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-NC, held a press conference with others who pledged to vote against the immigration legislation that still lingers in the Senate. In attendance were Sens. David Vitter (R-La.), Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Conspicuously missing was Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC.
   As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid searches for votes to prop up the reconstituted immigration bill, it appears that Burr is once again riding the fence. When I called his office today, an aide initially told me that Burr "isn't going to state how he will vote on the upcoming legislation. We don't have a statement now."
    A few hours later, another Burr aide Mark Williams emailed me this statement, which he attributed to Burr:

      "I still have concerns about the immigration reform bill in its current form.  When the Senate takes up this issue again, it is my hope that amendments to strengthen the bill are given a full opportunity to be debated and allowed a vote.  If those amendments fail, I could find no way to support the immigration bill."

   Once again, it appears, Burr just can't commit. Amendments or not, the central premise of the immigration legislation is the granting of amnesty to illegal aliens already in this country. When I called Dole's office, her aide quickly made it clear that Dole did not support the bill's Z Visa provision, or visas or immigration benefits of any kind for those who came here illegally.
   Burr's staff wouldn't answer those questions. 
   This is the third position in two weeks on amnesty for Burr. Last week I reported that on Friday, June 1, the Charlotte Observer reported that Burr was the only local Republican member of Congress who wouldn't take a stand on the controversial bill. A few days later, he was at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce talking it up.
   Then on Thursday, June 7, Burr apparently stuck his finger in the air to see which way the immigration wind was blowing and voted against ending debate on the bill, which effectively killed it. The final tally was 50-45. In a press release posted on his website dated June 7 -- at the last minute right around the time of the vote on the bill -- Burr explained why he voted to kill the bill. In the release, Burr sounded a different tone than the one he used at the Chamber only days before. 

   "I believe that we should only permit those into our country who respect our laws, our system of government, and way of life. Immigrants should demonstrate their intentions of becoming productive, law-abiding members of our society as a condition for receiving citizenship," Burr said. "I will continue to oppose amnesty for the illegal immigrants living in the United States." 

    With immigration poised to make a comeback in the Senate, it's important to let Burr know which of his positions you want him to stick with. Email Sen. Burr here.