Posted on 03/16/2006 1:51:16 PM PST by VU4G10
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Under pressure to produce broad immigration reform legislation by the end of the month, a U.S. Senate panel on Thursday neared agreement on a proposal that would give some of the 12 million illegal aliens living in the country an opportunity to earn citizenship.
Although no vote will be held until after a weeklong congressional recess, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday appeared ready to back a proposal by panel member Sen. Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, who has worked on the issue with his Republican colleague John McCain of Arizona.
The panel, which is working on comprehensive immigration and border security legislation, will also consider a related proposal that would allow foreigners to enter the United States as legal guest workers and then have a chance to earn permanent status.
Republicans are divided over immigration policy, and the Judiciary Committee plan is likely to spark a firestorm from conservatives who oppose regularizing the status of illegal immigrants, saying they would be rewarded after breaking U.S. immigration law.
But backers cite both economic and security reasons. They say that providing a path to permanent residency and eventual citizenship will avoid creating a permanent underclass of workers and help bring illegals aliens out of the shadows.
Sen. Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican who opposes giving permanent status to illegals, said after the meeting that the panel would probably vote for the Kennedy plan.
"The votes are there," Grassley said.
NO AMNESTY
Kennedy told the committee the proposal was not an amnesty. People seeking legal status would have to pay a $2,000 fine, apply for a six-year temporary status, have a job, pay taxes, learn English and show an understanding of U.S. government.
They would not get permanent status faster than the three million foreigners awaiting legal entry, he said.
"There is no moving to the front of the line, there is no free ticket," Kennedy said. "This is not amnesty."
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, quipped that the requirements "probably exclude half of my family."
The panel also reached tentative agreement on a guest worker program sought by President George W. Bush has said he wants. A compromise struck between Kennedy and Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, would give future temporary workers an opportunity to seek permanent status after four years.
U.S. business groups favor creating a temporary worker program to help fill jobs that Americans either cannot or will not do. Both business and labor groups also favor giving current undocumented workers a way to legalize their status.
Committee members said details would be worked out during the recess.
The panel is working against a deadline set by Majority Leader Bill Frist. The Tennessee Republican, and possible contender in the 2008 presidential race, wants the Senate to take up a bill addressing only enforcement and border security. He threatened to do that on March 27 if the Judiciary Committee failed to reach agreement on comprehensive legislation.
Whether Congress will finalize immigration legislation before the November congressional elections is unclear. Both Democrats and Republicans are likely to use the issue to gain advantage.
The House of Representatives has voted for tough border security and enforcement legislation with no guest worker program. The two sides would have to work out their differences before a bill could be sent to Bush for his signature.
Depends on how hard the President leans on 'em. President Bush can be mighty persuasive...
I agree great Carnack. Without a paddle.
The incumbents don't believe we'll turn it back over to the rats rather than get sold down the river by our own party. It's not surprising, because they're very arrogant and they aren't very smart. But it's fun to see the mighty take a tumble, and they're going against the will of about 75% of the murricin pipple. Something is going to give.
People have to elect better republicans, my house rep is fine on this issue. know their stand DONT vote for weasels.
yep
Kennedy told the committee the proposal was not an amnesty. People seeking legal status would have to pay a $2,000 fine, apply for a six-year temporary status, have a job, pay taxes, learn English and show an understanding of U.S. government.
Their suppose to do that now! I see no change. I'm about ready to build a wall around Texas!
WRONG: ITS:
SCAMNESTY AND SHAMNESTY
The mexis call it amnesty. we did it before we will do it again.
Safety nets are socialism, not capitalism.
Food stamps, workers' comp, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, free emergency medical care, welfare payments, rent subsidies, etc, are socialist scams.
The faster the scams go bankrupt, the better.
I understand that most people like their socialist piece of the pie, so I'm in the minority.
Time for me to go pick up a bottle Jack. This is really getting scary.
The ONLY good thing I can see is this:
If illegals are pressured to become citizens, they don't want that! They DO NOT want to become Americans.
If they are told, Become a citizen NOW or leave this country tonight, good. Also, if a stipulation is that when you become a citizen you cannot go back to country of origin for 10 years, can wire only a maximum of $500 back to country of origin, AND we get our fence ALL ALONG the border. Then, fine! Go, with that.
We cannot concede any kind of amnesty without getting our BORDER FENCE! Then, we are worse than screwed, we are shameful. And, by the way, is part of the plan to take our current laws --- which have been broken by 20+ million illegals -- off the books?
And, I say absolutely NO to any kind of temporary guest worker program, creating quasi-legal non citizenship: it's a crock. Okay, I'm done being crazy and dreaming.
"Depends on how hard the President leans on 'em. President Bush can be mighty persuasive..."
Yeah, when his poll numbers weren't in the mid 30's/lower 40's. Hopefully congress will thumb there nose at him like they did on the port deal.
Yeah, just like on the ports. Face it Ray, the thrill is gone.
Yeah, and I need a million dollars and bottomless mug of beer. Unfortunately, "viable" and "third-party" don't work together. I think we will have to settle for a a non-viable third-party of the protest vote, give the election to your enemies variety. Sometimes you can only win by losing.
I also read how Rome disintegrated as well. What is your point?
Just another day at the office for just another TRAITOR!!!
CRUISING DOWN THE RIVER
Jack Smith
Cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon
With one you love, the sun above
Waiting for the moon.
An old accordion playing a sentimental tune
Cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon.
The birds above all sing of love
A gentle, sweet refrain.
The winds around all make a sound
Like softly falling rain.
The two of us together
We'll plan our honeymoon
Cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon.
Every last RINO who votes for Kennedy-McCain needs to be defeated if they are up for re-election in November. They are no help to us anyway.
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