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.
We'd be better off with Carter.
He became a lame duck during the port deal IMO. This is just more of the same.
Yeppers, Ford was a much better republican.
Yes, I agree, Carter appeased terrorists in Iran.
"unfilled at the wages offered."
that is the white elephant in the room that no one talks about. you can find an american to do ANY job just not at the slave labor rates that are out there being taken be these law breakers.
"... I wonder if enough native-born Citizens really care enough to make a difference."
Not just native-born ones, many that got here when young from other parts of the world feel just the same: proud, privileged, and at this time sad... frustrated... but still here for now, hoping for a change to the better and willing to do something to make a difference.
oh the good old days of tea parties.
The alcohol is kicking in, Dog.
Look for the hyperbole to go into high gear.
There are laws on the books right now that if enforced would make a dent in illegal immigration. Passing bills is not enforcing laws. The fact that there are currently laws in place destroys your argument that we are currently in a state of Amnesty.
No kidding...he's starting to make Carter look good.
Did you hear his speech today? After hearing that, I am finished with the Republican party. It doesn't matter anyway since our country is gone and nothing I can say here will change anything. Mexico has taken us over without firing a shot, thanks to our traitors within.
You want to talk about house arrest? You won't even have a house to call your own once the Mexicans gain control. Unless you are one of them and I suspect you are - so you and your sell out Republican friends will survive just fine. It's the patroits who'll get the noose.
What a load of rubbish. The 1986 amnesty did that, 1996 being the first year the amnestees were permitted to vote. So go ahead and pass another amnesty or two, then you'll have to find something to blame for the fact that the whole country will be permanently the possession of the left wing of the Democrat Party.
Yeah but he's honest about it. He doesn't pretend he's a conservative like some Republicans and some FReepers.
Nice.
Yeah but he's honest about what he is and I couldn't find a third party against DeWine
You're either drunk or stupid.
Which is it?
You are suggesting that Bush wants the insurgency to continue, huh? I should have guessed that you were merely using YOUR word (insurgency) for what is happening, and that Bush said nothing of the kind. So, instead of a stupid comment, its just your own loose interpretation of Bush's speech? You folks are really going to have to come up with more than that. You just look silly.
You'll hyperventilate after the next election. So you'd better keep a bag handy yourself.
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