Senate Panel Approves Immigration Bill

AP on Yahoo ^ | 3/27/06 | David Espo - ap

[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.

[Mo1]

This bill and the speed to push it through was a joke

[nj26]

We'd be better off with Sherrod Brown than Mike DeWine in office.

Better to have an enemy that you know than a friend that betrays you at the first opportunity.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Martinez has always been an embarrassment.

Why any Republican would vote for him-over someone of Bill McCollum's caliber-is beyond me.

That traitor had the nerve to send me a solicitation for campaign contributions when he was running for the U.S. Senate, promising to be a steadfast Bush Bot.

I threw it right in the garbage.

[Arizona Carolyn]

And Putin. Don't forget Putin -- looked into his eyes and saw his soul.

[Sam the Sham]

You are absolutely right. This isn't Democrat vs Republican. This is the Party of Offshore Money vs the Party of Working, Taxpaying Americans.

[Serenissima Venezia]

Senator_Frist@frist.senate.gov

[samm1148]

Hey all those rich liberals need nannies for their chillens and gardeners to tend the manor grounds! (and more voters too). Where is your compassion at?

[stopem]

Yup! he was brilliant! the drunken one squirmed there for a while LOL

[Arizona Carolyn]

If I remember last year he was telling us how great Putin was?

[OKIEDOC]

traitors

[Dr. Marten]

I'm hardly an anti-American Republican.
The key words in this article regarding the three Republicans who sided with the Democrats are "Seeking Re-election".

They're not voting for what the people want. They're not even voting for what's in the best interest of America - They're voting for what's going to keep their sorry asses in office.

[FreeReign]

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.

The three R's on the committee who are up for reelection this year side with the immigration liberals?

There seems to be a reality disconnect someplace.

[antiunion person]

As usual, the politics we elect to represent us, DON'T!!!! The damn politicians follow the votes, not the voters. In California, I kinda expected this. But when some of the flyover states, who are experiencing the same problems we are, vote this way, I know the politicians are sucking up to get the latino votes.
The person who really disappoints me is President Bush. When him and his buddy, Fox, get together and make it easier for illegals to get into this country, I wonder why I even voted for Bush. Everyday that goes by, I lose confidence in him. Why can't Bush just build the wall across the southern border like the majority of Americans want. I could care less about the illegals. My priority in life in the security of this country, not giving Mexicans a way to get free entitlements that a citizen can't receive. I dare a citizen of this country go to a clinic or hospital in this country and get free health care. The reason why insurance is so damn high is because the people who pay their bills are also paying for the free loaders who don't. In my town, the majority of the people in the emergency room waiting areas are Mexican. They go there for common colds and other minor things the rest of us have to go to our doctors and pay for.
I realize I am preaching to the choir here in FreeRepublic but I also need to vent before my head explodes.

[SC33]

Well, he is a compassionate man. Greedy, stupid, and inarticulate he is, but very compassionate.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" I am pleased now with the choices. ...
Frist, Kyl, and Cornyn are showing a willingness to fight for America."

The media and the Dems have recently started a full court press to demean the reputation of General Tommy Franks-probably at Hillary's direction.
They fear strong men.
We don't.

[Sam the Sham]

Well, maybe Bush shouldn't have nicknamed him "Pooty Poot".

Hell, I'd take being called Pooty Poot as an an act of war. We're lucky our cities are still standing.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I told Kyle's office a few months ago I thought Kyle should run for President that he could win hands-down.

[NapkinUser]

"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."

The AP is full of it. They're obviously diving into their delusions this bill has any kind of chance.

[VU4G10]

[Serenissima Venezia]

thanks for the idea - I just did the same.