Posted on 03/15/2006 1:44:52 PM PST by dennisw
Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist, frustrated by the sluggish debate over immigration reform at the committee level, plans to introduce a bill that deals solely with border security as early as today. Mr. Frist's bill, according to aides on both sides of the aisle, does not include a guest worker provision or a process for handling the 12 million illegal aliens already in the U.S., divisive topics that have stalled immigration legislation in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill would beef up security along the U.S.-Mexico border, provide funding for thousands more border patrol agents and build small sections of fencing in areas of key traffic. The Tennessee Republican, who is widely believed to be seeking the Republican nomination for president, had promised conservatives that he would bring up an enforcement-only bill and begin debate on the topic on the Senate floor by March 27.
Mr. Frist's bill, according to aides, would simply take Mr. Specter's proposal and strip out the guest worker plan and provisions dealing with illegal aliens already in the U.S. Mr. Specter's legislation has stalled in committee over his proposal to criminalize illegal aliens already here as well as other issues. His bill would allow employed illegal aliens to remain in the United States indefinitely, although it would require them to return home before applying for permanent citizenship. Mr. Frist will use the rarely employed "Rule 14" that permits him to introduce a bill and bypass the committee process so that it goes directly to the Senate calendar. After winding through several days of parliamentary procedures, Mr. Frist may call that bill to the floor for debate. During this morning´s Judiciary Committee meeting, Mr. Specter hinted that Mr. Frist would move ahead on his own if the committee didn't arrive at some consensus.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Bill Frist is pandering but he's pandering to the conservative base (that's us) instead of the ethnic pressure groups and illegal immigrant pressure groups. Let's see where this leads
It must be pretty bad when even the libertarians are upset about illegal immigration. The classic libertarian argument is for open borders
I'm not dumb. I know there are libertarians who believe in national sovereignty and have been for legal and sane immigration for years.
WE NEED A FENCE!
All we have to do is consult with the Israelis. They know how to build effective fences
FENCES THAT WORK:
"Frist is going to have to do more than talk. And any placating of the OBL will mean he's just one more sellout."
Agreed. Based upon his past record, I'm not real hopeful that he has suddenly seen the light. It looks like opportunism because it probably is--I've never known Frist before to be concerned about our nation being swamped with immigrants. Apparently he doesn't bump into them too much in the circles he travels in. He may get mileage out of this, however, since so much of the Republican leadership has been bought and owned by the Chamber of Commerce open borders set. Merely talking about it is refreshing to a lot of people who are used to having the issue ignored altogether by the Repubs in positions of power.
"McCain is going to have the nomination wrapped up come 08."
I will be so angry if that is the best that the Conservative's can do that I will vote Democrat for the first time in my life and let the chips fall where they may. I will never again vote for a RINO. Ever.
You can call Senator Frist at (202) 224-3344 - I just called to ask him to keep the bill free of any guest worker plans that others might try to attach.
I'm sure you've seen this by now, but Frist's bill does fine employers who hire illegal immigrants. Look over his bill and see what you think.
If you like it, e-mail him and let him know. I think we need to make sure that it's his bill that gets the nod. His is the one that offers no amnesty, jacks up security, fine employers, and creates infrastructure.
It's not perfect (see doubling of legal immigration), but it's a very good start. At least I think so. Look it over.
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