Posted on 03/27/2006 4:08:50 PM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee approved election-year immigration legislation Monday that clears the way for millions of undocumented workers to seek U.S. citizenship without having to first leave the country.
After days of street demonstrations that stretched from California to the gounds of the U.S. Capitol, the committee also voted to strip out proposed criminal penalties for residents found to be in this country illegally.
The panel's vote cleared the way for the full Senate to begin debate Tuesday on the emotional immigration issue.
"All Americans wanted fairness and they got it this evening," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), the Massachusetts Democrat who played a pivotal role in drafting the legislation, approved 12-6.
Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., voted for the bill but signaled that some of the provisions could well be changed by the full Senate.
In general, the bill is designed to strengtehn border patrol, create new opportunities for so-called guest workers and determine the legal future of the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally.
At several critical popints, committee Democrats were united while Republicans splintered. In general, GOP Sens. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, Sam Brownback of Kansas and Mike DeWine of Ohio, who is seeking re-election this fall, sided with Democrats.
That gave Democrats a majority that allowed them to shape the bill to their liking.
Ok. I live in NY. Here are my reps.
Schumer.
Clinton.
Nita Lowey.
Please tell me which one you think can be swayed or pressured?????????????
Most people have to work for a living to pay bills since they don't live like vagabons 50 to a room. Most people have families to look after, most people don't have the time to lose a days pay to protest.
The same cannot be said of the vermin I saw at the march. Many looked like welfare cases.
Then I will abstain from voting.
Ohio's elected officials disgust me. It's a shame Portman moved on to bigger and better things. He was the only one I truly respected.
DeWine, Voinovich and Taft are all crooks. Traficant had more integrity than these clowns.
According to the info. on NumbersUSA Firsts bill isn't a whole lot better then what came out of committee, it to grants amnesty.
From the email from numbersUSA
"On March 28, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) will call up his bill for a vote on cloture — S. 2454, the Securing America's Borders Act.
Sen. Frist had promised to bring up an enforcement-only bill and begin debate on the Senate floor during the week of March 27 if the Committee did not finish its bill by then. Unfortunately, Sen. Frist's bill includes the same permanent immigrant visa increases, more H-1B visas, and increases from "unused" family-based and employment based visas as the Specter proposal.
If the vote on cloture is successful, the full Senate can begin to consider amendments. At the March 27 committee meeting, Sen. Specter said the committee-passed bill could be amended on to Sen. Frist's bill as early as March 28.
Sen. Frist in media reports suggested his bill may remain on the Senate floor for as long as two weeks. Amendments could be offered throughout that period. "
Note that Frist had promised to bring up an enforcement only bill, but has tacked on increases and amnesty like programs. While it could be amended I really don't count on it. I really don't trust my dem sen. (Dayton the chicken little) to actually do something right like oppose this amnesty, but he could surprise me. Not really sure which way Coleman leans but he has been informed vote for amnesty, and guest worker program without requiring application and interviews in home country to get visas etc...then no vote from me and I will tell my friends and family and co-workers how he helped sell us out.
While third party canidates usually lose and split votes ask yourself how Jesse ever got elected. The truth is if they piss off enough people, people will go and vote for a thrid party canidate, and those canidates can win if their message gets out. (admittedly Jesse turned out to be a democrat imo not an independant like he said he was)
"You always step over that line, and that is why you continue to lose. Its like poking a snapping turtle with a stick, you always bite because you cant help it. Well, in the pot you go!"
That's one of the best lines I've read around here in quite some time!
That's the whole point! The Senate committee threw out enforcement because giving millions of illegals citizenship is what the entire immigration bill is about. Our politicians have sold their souls to the enemies of America, knowing that the citizens are powerless to stop them. They will breathe a sigh of relief once these illegals have been made citizens.
And yes, every president from years back is guilty. We have been sold out from the very people who swore to protect us.
Americans are hit with a soft spot with this issue. If you say anything they scream Racist. They have used this term so frequently, it should have lost its' meaning by now, but it has not.
Til we can stand with our heads held high and realize it is not racism to want your own country, but national pride, we are doomed.
PROFILES IN COWARDICE
By Senate Republicans. Dispiriting stories of how people elected to advance the cause of freedom and prosperity for the American people sold out their principles for power, money and favorable op-eds in the WaPo.
On newstands, the web and just about everywhere now.
Oh, how I wish we could organize (I speak of myself as well) to rally 500,000 Americans to march on Washington to demand their country back.
I know, I live in PA. and voted for Toomey...what a shame that Toomey didn't win....
You can thank a Republican senate and a Republican president for this. Disgusting. The party has lost my money and my volunteer hours for a long time because of this and the wildspending habbits they have shown. I'm also very near staying home on election day. Are the dems worse? Yes. Are the republicans doing a terrible job in power? Yes. Do they deserve to be rewarded for it? No. Never before in American history have we had a greater need for a credible alternative to the two corrupt elitist dinasaur parties. Neither represents the American people.
There is no need to hide any bruises from the GOP and pretend I ran into a door. Anyone who has a single clue wrt our foreign policy needs and economic policy needs has no problem supporting the President.
The only alternative is the Party of Treason or any of numerous clowns.
Looks as though the RAT campaign to split the GOP over illegals is working fine with you. Every complaint about them is essentially a contribution to Hillary 08.
Heh, you must be the only one who couldn't figure it out.
Thanks again for your correction.
Let's say half the illegals here don't sign up for the plan. Will you favor deporting them then?
That is TOTAL balony. One democrat has a clue- Joe Lieberman. The rest are enemies.
Your statement reveals the great danger this nation is facing because the demonization of the GOP by the Party of Treason and Treason media is succeeding. Once they regain power our enemies abroad will triumph.
That is TOTAL balony. One democrat has a clue- Joe Lieberman. The rest are enemies.
Your statement reveals the great danger this nation is facing because the demonization of the GOP by the Party of Treason and Treason media is succeeding. Once they regain power our enemies abroad will triumph.
I am not at all happy with Bush, but the draft dodger charge is completely bogus.
Chris, thats how they work around here, as well.
20 immigrants stuffed into one van with no DL to be seen.
After they pour out at the site they then proceed to do all of the work that no one here will do now that its down to minimum wage for construction.
I wait in long lines behind them at the bank as they send the money to Mexico
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