Posted on 05/25/2006 4:35:06 PM PDT by Nachum
WASHINGTON (AP) - Legislation to secure U.S. borders and offer millions of illegal immigrants access to the American dream cleared the Senate on Thursday, a rare election-year reach across party lines and a triumph for President Bush.
The 62-36 vote cleared the way for arduous summertime compromise talks with the House on its version that focuses on border enforcement - with no guarantee of success.
"Why not say to those undocumented workers who are working the jobs that the rest of us refuse, come out from the shadows," said Arizona Republican John McCain, a key architect of the bill.
The legislation includes money to better secure the borders, provide a new guest worker program and give an eventual shot at citizenship to many of the estimated 11 million to 12 million immigrants in the country illegally.
The bill "strengthens our security and reflects our humanity," said Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., McCain's partner in Senate compromise. "It is intended to keep out those who would harm us and welcome those who contribute to our country."
Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and the Democratic leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, both sided with supporters, a reflection of the bipartisan backing for a bill that was months in the drafting and survived several near-death experiences.
Conservative critics attacked the legislation to the end after trying unsuccessfully to pull it apart with amendments.
"This bill will not secure our borders," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., one of the most persistent critics.
"This is amnesty," added David Vitter, R-La., who tried last week to strip out provisions relating to citizenship.
Not so, said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., chairman of the Judiciary Committee, in a rebuttal to weeks of debate. "They have to pay a fine. They have to undergo a criminal background check. They have to pay back taxes, they have to learn English and they have to go to the back of the line," he said, referring to illegal immigrants who would apply for citizenship.
Still, Sessions, Vitter, John Cornyn of Texas and others echoed a view widely held among House Republicans, many of whom have vigorously denounced the Senate bill as well as Bush's call for a "comprehensive approach" to the issue.
That portended difficult compromise talks in the shadow of midterm elections, at a time when Bush's poll ratings are low, congressional Republicans are concerned and Democrats are increasingly optimistic about their chances in November.
For now, supporters of the Senate bill said they intended to savor their victory. Peppered with questions about the compromise talks ahead, Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., said, "I'm going to celebrate here."
The House bill, which passed on a largely party-line vote last year, is generally limited to border enforcement. It would make all illegal immigrants subject to felony charges and it contains no provision for either a new temporary worker program or citizenship for men, women and children in the country unlawfully.
(AP) Republican senators appear at a Capitol Hill news conference, Thursday, May 25, 2006, to discuss... Full Image
In contrast, the Senate bill would mark the most far-reaching changes in immigration law in two decades. Built on compromise after painstaking compromise, it was designed to appeal to conservatives and others seeking tougher border enforcement; business interests eager for a steady supply of legal, low-wage labor; unions seeking enhanced protections for migrants who often toil in seasonal work the fields and Hispanics who are on the cusp of greater political power and determined to win a change in legal status for millions of illegal immigrants.
That last group - Hispanics - comprises the fastest growing segment of the electorate, and millions made their feelings clear in street demonstrations denouncing the House measure and calling for passage of a broader measure.
Bush played a prominent role in the run-up to passage. An Oval Office speech last week made explicit his support for the Senate's overall approach. A later trip to Arizona was designed to reassure conservatives about his commitment to stanching illegal immigration.
In more than a week of debate, the Senate made a series of changes in the legislation. Still, the key pillars were preserved when opponents failed to knock out the guest worker program or the citizenship provisions. A new program for 1.5 million temporary agricultural workers also survived.
To secure the borders, the measure calls for the hiring of an additional 1,000 new Border Patrol agents this year and 14,000 by 2011, and backs Bush's plan for a short-term deployment of National Guard troops to states along the Mexican Border. The bill calls for new surveillance equipment as well as the construction of 370 miles of triple-layered fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers.
The new guest worker program would admit 200,000 individuals a year. Once here, they would be permitted for the first time to petition on their own for a green card that confers legal permanent residency, a provision designed to reduce the potential for exploitation by employers.
A separate new program, a compromise between growers and unions, envisions admission of an estimated 1.5 million immigrant farm workers who may also apply for permanent residency
Even supporters of the bill conceded the three-tiered program related to illegal immigrants was complicated.
Those in the country unlawfully for five years or more would be permitted to remain, continue working and eventually apply for citizenship. They would be required to pay at least $3,250 in fines and fees, settle any back taxes and learn English.
Illegal immigrants in the country for more than two years but less than five would be required to travel to a point of entry before re-entering the United States legally and beginning a lengthy process of seeking citizenship. They would be subject to the same fines, fees and other requirements as the longer-term immigrants.
An immigrant in the country illegally for less than two years would be required to leave with no guarantee of return.
A new electronic system for employee verification is designed to hold employers accountable for hiring decisions. It provides for maximum fines of $20,000 for each worker and possible jail time for repeat offenders.
A separate controversy erupted over a call to make English the national language. Supporters said it would leave all current rights in place. Detractors argued it could undermine an executive order that mandates assistance to individuals who receive services such as health care yet lack proficiency in English.
How, exactly, do you propose "we the people" do that?
90% of our elected officials can't / refuse to remember what "we the people" stands for.
That is all too evident by what "my side" is saying and doing on this issue.
I think the Democrats are going to make huge gains in the next election. Possibly retake one of legislative bodies. If they don't, they will be close - for the next election.
And who are the illegals going to vote for?
That is what really amazes me - the Republicans really do think they are going to get some of this voting block. Right.
Roll the tape forward - now the Rat / Lib crowd controlls at least one elective body, probably more.
Are "we the people" any closer to controlling those purse strings?
It's long past time that the rare and elusive species, "The Honest Politician", be put on the endangered species list.
We've slid so far down the slope now, the top is no longer in sight.
I remember reading an article several years ago, wish I would have saved it, that said this is it for the Republican Party. After GWB things will revert to Rat controll, and stay there. The main reason, as I remember, was the inability of the conservatives to overcome the "we will give you everything" social welfare of the Rat party.
How does that saying go, once the people realize that they can control (thru voting for the Rat party) the purse strings - it's all over.
JMO
That became apparent to me just over a year ago; this nation's "leadership" has not altered my opinion of them except to cement my year-old belief.
Who are you talking to?
Rush has brought this up many times.
Anyone have a link to who voted for or against? I want to make sure I take out my frustration on the right people.
Fat Boy Kennedy finds things in Scotch law. Arlen finds things in Scottish law.
Uh, I don't WANT a conference in which we get screwed.
No conference. No amnesty. Enforcement Only.
Or my number one goal in life becomes extracting revenge against the GOP.
Your tagline says it all.
Actually, there is the link:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00157
Very well stated. I have turned in a few businesses that hire many illegals, and all I got for my effort was
1) admonishment from the INS
2) One death threat from an employer I turned in(the INS must have ratted my name to the employer).
Three times from three distinctly different angles.
The "Magic Truth Theory".
Here's my take on S-2611:
that thisnationUnited States of North America, underGodThe New World Order, The Tri Lateral Commission, The Bohemian Grovers, and The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), shall have a new birth offreedomSocialism -- and that government of thepeopleGlobalists, by thepeopleGlobalists, for thepeopleGlobalists, shall not perish from the earth.
Exactly!!! Treasonous!
Vote Counts:
YEAs 62
NAYs 36
Not Voting 2
Nays:
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Allen (R-VA)
Bond (R-MO)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burns (R-MT)
Burr (R-NC)
Byrd (D-WV)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lott (R-MS)
Nelson (D-NE)
Roberts (R-KS)
Santorum (R-PA)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Sununu (R-NH)
Talent (R-MO)
Thomas (R-WY)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Not Voting:
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Yeas:
The rest of them.
Employers who can't get a free citizen of the USA to work for the wage, and under conditions, as offered, has to make business choices reflecting the reallity of the free market, and within the rule of law.
Secure the borders, and start jailing the CEOs of companies who break the labor laws, and the problem is solved.
Well said.
Which of the Republican Senators who voted Yea on this still have a primary this year?
Well, good for you for once, Byrd.
Judicial review was established in 1803. That's some ending -- 203 years and counting. Do you know the official Year of Doom when the country will officially die? Will that be another 203 years, or is the apocalypse just about upon us?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.