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"Seriously, is there anyone who can rationally explain why these R's voted like this?"

Because no single action will stop the influx of illegals. A plan must be comprehensive. On that, Bush was correct. Contrary to the belief of many -- the Borders cannot be realistically secured through enforcement or a wall -- at least not quickly and not at realistic costs. (We couldn't keep terrorists from entering or leaving Falluja and it was surrounded by the U.S. Marines in open desert)

The only way to secure the borders, is to make people not want to come here. That includes a series of serious proposals attacking incentives. (Bush, of course, had none.)

The best way to stop the influx and to actually encourage the return of illegals is through proper incentives and disincentives. No more birthright citizenship. No more preference to parents of anchor babies. No more health care to illegal immigrants --- even on an emergency basis. Most importantly, no more free k-12 education for illegals or the children of illegals. Finally, massive increases in fines for hiring illegals -- which you could use current border patrols to help investigate instead of sitting in the desert chasing shadows. (Companies that hire illegals should have their officers and directors held personally liable for all fines -- that will end the hiring practice)

Together with these reforms, we need to streamline the legal process for entry so that wait list for entry is not 9-15 years as it is in some cases. (Current law allows only 5,000 entrants for low skilled jobs. Almost 1,000,000 lawful immigrants are permitted in this country each year -- and more than 600k come in illegally.

Finally -- and this I think would be met with great U.S. support -- we need to penalize sending countries. I propose foreign aid reductions on a per-deportee basis. By charging Mexico 1-2 million dollars per apprehended illegal alien, we will shift the burden and cost of border enforcement to Mexico. (If illegal immigration were a financial loser for Mexico, it would stop the silent invasion -- probably by force.)
Of course, what do I know. I have only been on the front lines of this battle for 14 years -- talking writing, advising, and litigating the issue before virtualy any other national attention. I drafted the legal strategy for a pending action that will make news any day out of Virginia.
What you are witnessing on capital hill and from the white house is a sell-out. The only question is, how badly will legal immigrants and lawful residents get screwed.