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.

[lemura]

the guest worker, knowing he has a permit, will have his family stay home

Buddy, do you get paid to write this stuff, or do you really believe it? I'm not sure which one is more troubling. Friedman famously said that you can't have open immigration and a welfare society.

In your world, guest workers are automatons that don't want a meaningful social/home life. In effect, what you're saying is that guest workers don't have the same feelings & desires as you and I: coming home to a nice meal, sit down with a beer and talk to the missus, play with the kids, (maybe) get a little action in bed, and then crash.

Isn't that just a wee bit racist?

[SC33]

Well, flying jets is not easy. Not showing up for duty, now that is easy, or at least it is when your last name is Bush.

[oceanview]

I'm flexible of some aspects of the whole "immigration" issue - although in a ideal world, if we need more people - we would simply bring them in as good old fashioned legal immigrants. Hispanics and latin americans fit in very well in our culture.

but this guest worker program is going to be a nightmare. the employers who currently hire illegals in the undergrouond economy - don't want legal guest workers, they want the underground undocumented workers they have right now. and that demand will continue to be filled by illegals.

so who wants guest workers? legitimate businesses that cannot hire illegals currently, but want access to a large pool of lower wage legal workers. pass a guest worker plan, and you will see walmart, home depot, and every large corporation in the US needing low skill service workers - hiring them in droves. and the americans who hold those low skill service jobs, are going to get crushed. I cannot think of a single thing that would spread the rise of unionization in the service sector, faster then a guest worker program.

[La Enchiladita]

This bill in Committee today came through REAL FAST.

They pulled a fast one, clemenza.

[freeangel]

Not my "hero"--sounds more in line with you.

[Dane]

George Bush trained in a fighter jet that was known for killing pilots. He did quite well. I don't think risking your neck in a deadly profession ranks with having it easy, as you suggest

I have an idea for blowhard SC33. Let's put him in a jet and see how "easy" it is for him to fly.

[caisson71]

Dickie Turbin has nothing to say to me. If he's for it, I'm against it.

[La Enchiladita]

There won't be any good nooks, D1. We must fight.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

On what grounds do you justify your claim?
On the grounds that the bill is NOT resolved, and many are reacting to "media speculation" and spin.
Your stance is basically the same as a Loyalist during the American Revolution who essentially said the same thing as you.
Why, thank you! I am an unashamed American Loyalist. To seek a change in US law, for the simple means of placing other people at a disadvantage is disingenuous.
Our Founding Fathers were considered outlaws and pariahs and would have been hanged for treason had their cause not succeeded.
That was when the Crown was in power. We are all Americans today. I am a proud Southerner, yet the Articles of Confederation did not work out. No need to divide the nation, again.
Pray that it never has to happen, but it is one of the sovereign rights retained by the people.
If indeed change is necessary, that is exactly what the congress is working on. Please do not buy into the concept that violence, intimidation, and oppression trump the legislative process. I spew rhetoric occasionally with the best of them. At this juncture reason and deliberation are appropriate. All IMHO.

[mystery-ak]

I think it's been proven that Bush volunteered for VN while in the Guard...

[Czar]

"Just heard Major Garrett on Fox say the Frist will not let this bill come to the Senate floor..."

Don't count on it. Frist doesn't have the spine to block Specter's bill.

He's the closest thing we have to a political eunuch.

[Pukin Dog]

Someone created an entire post on how to use HTML here, could it be possible for someone to create a post on common sense discussion, rather than the rhetorical rantings of the angry?

Brownback?

Come on! That is a sign that things have degraded to a dangerous point.

[SC33]

Nobody but nobody is a bigger blowhard on this forum than you are. You and pukindog are elitists of the worst kind, the very kind that gives Republicans a bad name.

And yes, I realize I may very well get banned for expressing my disagreement with the President. If that is the case, so be it.

[citizen]

Yes, an excellent analysis - and all too true. Probably already irreversible.

[ThePoliticalDookie]

You're right, I don't know who he is pandering to, but I told him how I felt in a letter. I hope people are waking up and contacting thier representatives. We are on the verge of losing this country.

[sinkspur]

Not showing up for duty, now that is easy, or at least it is when your last name is Bush.

When did Bush not show up for duty?

You bought Mapes' nonsense hook, line, and sinker, didn't you?

[Txsleuth]

Sherrod Brown is ten times worse than DeWine..

[xcamel]

I own a house in southern baja (not cabo), and there they use the same nasty word for those who vaya al norte as they do for "gay boys"

[MACVSOG68]

Thanks for the ping upchuck. I think the Senate version is more in line with President Bush's concept than is the House version. It will be interesting, but in the end I imagine the 11-20 million will have some kind of program to eventually become legal. The one in question here (Kennedy version) is probably more onerous than even Bush wanted (11 years minimum).

BTW, interesting that Brownback was in the majority along with Graham and Dewine. They do not have much in common. In any case, I imagine the floor vote will be interesting.

[Dane]

Well, flying jets is not easy. Not showing up for duty, now that is easy, or at least it is when your last name is Bush

Things boring for you now that you aren't in the office, Mr. rather?