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.

[Mamzelle]

Single-issue posters are either obsessives or DNC seminars. Or maybe his ole lady doesn't like scrubbing her own toilet, and needs a slave to do it, and he needs to justify the lawbreaking.

[SC33]

I may vote Dem next time around, but most likely I will just vote third party.

[nralife]

"Frist's "bill" won't get anywhere, or will be filibustered by Harry Reid."



No bill would be better than the one we got today! How about a nice simple bill saying to enforce existing law?

[hedgetrimmer]

Those republicans are shortsighted and stupid.

Many of them are forward looking to the day they are out of government and are hired by the gobalist institutions that paid their way into politics. They will become lobbyists or run internationalist organizations. They see the US as a way to step up the food chain to internationalism.

[NeoCaveman]

Sherrod Brown will be the first.

Sherrod Brown is 10 times worse than that little weaselly perfidious assclown puke Mike DeWine.

[old republic]

No kidding.. we are talking CNN here. ------------- ha... touche. Deception is kind of standard practice with Polls isn't it.

[abigailsmybaby]

And of course illegal aliens showing up in the ER for a nasty hangnail problem and no intention of paying for treatment could never ever put them over the edge.(rolling eyes)

[Pukin Dog]

You were right the first time. NOTHING is going to get through this year, not a damn thing, which is what both parties want, because any bill loses votes.

And looky, looky here! We now have FReepers calling Senator Brownback a traitor! When did we become as stupid as the DU freaks?

A lot of people are emoting and thinking seems to have gone out the window. When Brownback is called a traitor, Bush is called "the worst president ever", is there any doubt remaining that the kooks have taken over this forum?

[JediForce]

Sounds like a plan. Haliburton style contracts to fortune 500 companies that can deport illegals. Bounty style. Say...oh...$5000.00 per illegal. Tax free. Anyone game?

Capture/move back to native land/release.

Would that include the 20,000 Saudi students this administration just allowed to come here over the next year?

Just asking.

JEDI

[Clemenza]

Its our own fault for not calling in to our representatives if this passes. Had their been more of an outcry from the "silent majority", then this would not have made it out of committee.

The next few weeks will be crucial. TIME TO CALL ALL OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES!

[SC33]

"When Brownback is called a traitor, Bush is called "the worst president ever", is there any doubt remaining that the kooks have taken over this forum?"

Well, somebody had to take it from the elitist, country club Republicans.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree. If I somehow implied otherwise, I appologize.

I do think this is it. We either face this issue on behalf of this nation, or we simply find a good nook for ourselves and try to avoid as much of the inevitable downside as we can in our remaining days.

This nation stands on the brink. It is sad how few either understand this or actually give a hoot.

[HonestConservative]

Bad or worse, its still one vote for anarchy which this type of legislature represents; decimation of the rule of law and the sovereignty of the USA.

[VeniVidiVici]

But Martinez said he is making headway with "John Q. Public" in Florida when he explains how a guest-worker program would function. And he tells his own compelling story of how his family sent him from Cuba at 16 after Castro's revolution, and he lived with foster parents in Central Florida until his own parents could leave.

Martinez is a freaking idiot. He should ASK the Cuban community what they think about this legislation. He's living in his own little world.

[spectre]

You're gloating.

These Illegals aren't the type who will fight for MY country, if called on. They hauled freight out of their own when they found better greener pastures. Grifters... Cowards..

sw

[NeoCaveman]

Bad or worse,

Is that not (almost) always the case?

[Pukin Dog]

I think his economic policies will prove to be disastrous, and he caters to Corporate America, a group of people whom I admittedly do not care for.

So, do you have a problem with Capitalism? Are you unaware that RIGHT NOW, we have the best economy EVER? Do yourself a favor, and just answer. Leave the silly emotions to yourself.

[old republic]

Not passing any bill is the same as amnesty as far as I'm concerned. We need a good bill to pass or we vote the culprits out of office.

[oceanview]

yeah, just ask DPW.

[freeangel]

'Guess I'll have to contribute to a "commie". Couldn't be any worse than this pos.