Posted on 06/28/2007 1:09:10 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The comprehensive immigration reform bill that has dodged attacks from the left and right for weeks, survived “poison pill” amendments, and was once pulled from the Senate schedule failed its most important test Thursday. Passage of the legislation now appears unlikely.
The bipartisan coalition that had shepherded the measure through so many obstacles failed to get the 60 votes necessary to end debate. The final vote was 46-53
Until Thursday morning, it was unclear whether the bill would survive the cloture vote. But in the end, opponents of the measure from both sides of the political spectrum gained enough support to derail the legislation. Liberals felt it did not go far enough in protecting illegal immigrants, while conservatives rejected the bill because they felt it would grant amnesty to the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country.
Republican foes of the measure argued that the American public was broadly united in opposition to the bill and had made its views known by flooding Congress with phone calls and e-mails.
“What part of ‘no’ don’t we understand?,” asked Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), who said the immigration fight had “reengaged the American people.”
But Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of the key members of the coalition that crafted the bill, warned his Republican colleagues ahead of the vote.
“Remember this day if you vote ‘no,’” Graham said, adding that this bill would not come back in its current form and it is “as good as it gets.”
President Bush has taken a hands-on approach to the legislation, which he views as an important part of his domestic legacy. Leading up to the vote, called senators to urge them to support the bill.
You don’t say
How does a Bill so despised by such a large majority generate so close a vote.
It’s called rubbing it in, and I intend to!!
What’s our next fight? Victory is contagious.
Now that lie is what I call super spin.
Take back Congress and the White House from the RINOs and defeatocrats?
Bump that!
We're going to have to fight the comeback of the "Fairness Doctrine" which will attempt to silence talk radio and the blogosphere (which was instrumental in educating the public about the Amensty Bill).
Bump that too...see tagline!
Get something done.
It's easy to be against something. Now do something positive.
Ahem...seems to me there's a wall that needs a-buildin'... :-)
Simply too beautiful for words! Hooooooooooooo - raaay!
IMPEACH BUSH IMPEACH BUSH...
Bush is on television saying this is a defeat and the American public has been let down. WHERE DOES THIS MAN LIVE????????
NEVER again will I believe in Bush. Throw him and ALL the rest OUT OF OFFICE.
Exactly, they want us to be deaf & blind the next time something like this rolls around (and be forewarned, it will!). If we have to get our news & information from their TV stations and newspapers, we’ll be in the dark like we were 15 years ago. Without people like Rush and places like FR, we’d have never heard of all the crap they were trying to pull in the middle of the night!!
Wait. The bill is not dead. It’s just been opened for debate. We still have 56 Senators that want this bill passed without debate.
“How does a Bill so despised by such a large majority generate so close a vote.”?
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Seal the damn border and stop further invasion.
Vigorously enforce laws already on the books.
Find out what the next Globalist dream is and kill that too!
No, actually it’s only 46. Big difference.
What makes me happiest is that this was a major defeat for the fat, slob senator from my state.....the Swimmer.
A great victory today, FReepers!!! The base matters!!! The American people matter!!! Courageous Senators matter!!!
Congratulations to all who were part of this struggle. We can take a gread deal of heart from it. It’s also a good sign for future struggles, including the ‘08 election!!!
Laws on the books, the fence voted for, maybe now: enforcement of what’s already been done. Let’s see FredT, Romney, Hunter and Newt unite on this one with a clear statement backed by all of them asking their supporters to support a firm call for action now.
Anyone have a link to the final vote tally? I haven’t seen one yet.
Okay, the headline and story weren't clear which way the vote went. Still, most of the votes after the it reached 40 against, were votes cast becuase they didn't have to worry about it.
The bill is not dead. Look for vitriol and rancor against those who opposed this bill of epic proportions. We will be turned into raving lunatic racists by the supporters of this bill.
“Remember this day if you vote ‘no,’” Graham said, adding that this bill would not come back in its current form and it is “as good as it gets.”
Apart from the inherent irony in his statement, he ain't seen nothing yet, until and unless that finger is pointed right back at him on his next election day.
Then it is the good people of SC who have the chance to repeat that right to his face as he goes down to defeat.
- Its up to you to make that happen so that he can join other like minded compatriots who have had the same fate befall them.
The arrogance of these people is AMAZING!!!
We need to say the "so-called fairness doctrine" every time we refer to it. Your quotes imply that, but we must not allow the left to gain using this misleading title. Words mean something and even a Senator said on Hannity) it sounded good to him though he didn't know what it entailed.
I don't think that it will get through. But, if it does, politicians better be careful with what they wish for.
A Fairness Doctrine will just drive talk radio to Satellite coverage, or to the internet. (think 24-hours-a-day of the Rush Limbaugh News Network) Once Limbaugh, Hannity, et al are out away from Station Charters and FCC Regs and Licensing, I would think that the gloves would REALLY come off.
I picture callers discussing what Senator they slept with last night, and disgruntled aides with an axe to grind kicking skeletons out of closets.
Today and in the least few weeks, however, we’ve made a good start!
Vitriol and rancor from the other side are usually a good sign. They usually mean we’re doing well.
Remain vigilant? Absolutely. Another major amnesty bill before the ‘08 election? It’s unlikely to get far. I think we’re in a position now to press for some stand-alone border security and other anti-illegals legislation. Win or lose, it would be worth it.
“Anyone have a link to the final vote tally? I haven’t seen one yet.”
Michelle Malkin has a vote tally. Michellemalkin.com, no link but you can type it in:)
“How does a Bill so despised by such a large majority generate
so close a vote.”
My question is why couldn’t Dubya corrupt enough Republican Senators
with a carrot-and-stick approach.
I guess he found out they aren’t bought off as easily as Democrats.
And it’s hard to communicate your orders to a life-form lacking a
spinal column (e.g., Brownback and Voinovich)
AND, DEFEAT HILLARY!!!!
““Remember this day if you vote ‘no,’” Graham said, adding that this bill would not come back in its current form and it is “as good as it gets.” “
What Graham was trying to say to his corrupt cronies in crime was, “We have been taking money from everyone who deals in illegals. This is your only chance to jump on the bandwagon and legalize your stealing.”
Hannity’s show I read someone called in to say they heard that there will be latino protests, and this time violence IS expected.
Our next fight is to deport them all. Eisenhower was right. Operation wet back.
Sometimes for the greater good of the nation in the future you have to give amnesty to lawbreakers.I would be willing to allow some forgiveness for those politicians who make full disclosure,resign their offices,and accept non-voter status as admitted felons.Let them retire on pensions similar to the average U.S. citizen ‘s social security check.
NOW DEPORT!
NO SE PUEDE!
Because the Political Class, including much of the GOP, has very little interest in the average American. The only people the Political Class know who are concerned about immigration are large employers who want lots more of it. They contribute millions to RNC interest groups.
Reduced taxation, higher quality (not quantity) of immigrants, English official language, school vouchers, term limits and MORE HOPS IN AMERICAN BEERS.
“How does a Bill so despised by such a large majority generate so close a vote.”
It generates a close vote because you saw today 46 Senators who are criminals have their retirement accounts taken from them by people who really care about this country and not theor wallet.
Thank you Senator! Anyone that hasn't should read his full text that this statement comes from. It's excellent.
“WHERE DOES THIS MAN LIVE????????”
Don’t be too hard on him. I personally hope that he will live in peace in Crawford, TX and that the muslims will build a huge mosque right across the street.
I hope you’re right. We not only need to throw these traitors out of office, we need to find a way to put them in jail.
Why the heck don’t they go “home” and protest their own government’s shortcomings? If they love their country so much why don’t they fight for it? We did a couple hundred years ago, or so, and look at us now.
Operation wet back? Thought it was operation went back!
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