Posted on 03/22/2006 8:05:09 PM PST by JeffersonRepublic.com
As the Senate prepares to tackle the most sweeping immigration reforms in years, a top Democrat vowed Wednesday to do everything in his power, including filibuster, to thwart Majority Leader Bill Frist's proposed overhaul.
Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he would "use every procedural means at my disposal" to prevent Frist from bypassing the Judiciary Committee. Frist, R-Tenn., has made clear the Senate will take up his proposal next week if the 18-member committee fails to complete a broader bill.
"If Leader Frist brings a bill to the floor that does not have the approval of the Judiciary Committee, it will not get out of the Senate," Reid told reporters at the San Ysidro border crossing, a few steps from Tijuana, Mexico.
Bob Stevenson, a spokesman for Frist, did not immediately respond to a call Wednesday evening.
Reid said the overhaul must include heightened border enforcement, a "guest worker" program and a "path to citizenship" for the estimated 11 million people in the United States illegally. He called legislation by Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and John McCain, R- Ariz., a "good place to start."
President Bush, in a State of the Union address two years ago, urged Congress to create a worker program under which participants could gain legal status for a specific time and then be required to return home. It would not provide an automatic path to citizenship.
Frist unveiled a bill last week that sidesteps the question of temporary work permits. It would tighten borders, punish employers who hire illegal immigrants and provide more visas.
"Screwing America for illegal votes"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1601375/posts
I'M SHOCKED!
He is going to OBSTRUCT an initiative by the REPUBS?
I just cannot believe it!
(eye roll)
I can already hear the GOP caving in
What do you expect, the republicans actually upholding conservative values.
How is "open borders" not an anti-labor stance? Keep out the illegals. Wages for those jobs go up. Why aren't both parties racing for the labor vote?
Typical move from Dirty Harry Reid
I think "seething rage" is the best summary of their attitude.
If the Dems want to commit political suttee upon the funeral pyre of support for illegal immigration, I say it's time for more 'respect for cultural diversity.'
And Reid calls Bush "incompetent". HAH.
AS USUAL. The punk Reid gets the last word on the evening news. How many times do these demoKrats get to pull down Frist's pants without consequences?
I would welcome a filibuster.
Any immigration bill that comes out of the Senate is likely to be a really bad one.
Frist's proposal is not as bad as the Specter or McCain amnesty plans, but Frist's massively increases legal immigration, which I believe is contrary to the well-being of our society.
Still, at least the people granted legal status under his plan would be ones who have respected our laws rather than flouted them.
By the way: Watch for my book "Immigration Politics" which will be in print soon. It should be available from Author House within a few weeks and available from retailers like amazon.com around mid to late May I would estimate.
You won't be able to miss it, it's the one with Chris Cannon's head on the body of a dinosaur on the front cover.
Reid's previous threat of a filibluster shriveled up and died on the whine....vine, vine, I meant to say vine. Not really, and "filibluster" was not a typo either.
I would guess the political calculation is that the hispanic votes at risk out weigh the labor votes at risk.
It would help if Tancredo or someone like him can win a resounding victory on an immigration platform.
It's all about the votes, which is sad but true.
Damn. I posted this one and the moderators were all over it.
From an earlier posting:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1601375/posts
Answer: N+1, as N goes to infinity.
Also, Frist with or without pants, how can you tell the difference?
Me thinks Harry Reid was Rumpelstiltskin in his former life.
And Bush supported this POS for what reason?
"path to citizenship"
NO WAY IN HELL WILL THIS PASS MUSTER.
You have too much faith in our politicians.
Where?
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