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.

[bybybill]

WHO KNEW? Thanks, I didn`t know that there were NO illegals in this country before GWB was elected. I also didn`t know that he passed a law saying that illegals came first in the job market.
And you are right, Ford was much better, especially on illegal immigration. (just forgot what he did?)
The Rats have to reading Free Republic tonite and rolling in the on the floor with laughter. Might be a few folks in Baghdad joining them.

[panthermom]

Every 2 weeks or so I get a letter from the RNC asking for money, I take a sharpie and write similar things over it and send it back.

[who knows what evil?]

This is not the end of the republic. Anyone calling for violent uprising is not a patriot; furthermore they are a pariah to be shunned.

Ever hear of Thomas Jefferson? Are you familiar with what he said about the "tree of liberty"?

[Pukin Dog]

We'd be better off with Carter.

You know, its comments like yours that cause me to be very confident in what will happen in November. The problem that you and yours have, is that you can never find the line in the sand that separates legitimate concern, from downright crazy.

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!

[Fury]

BTTT

[sinkspur]

You'll hyperventilate after the next election.

Sorry to disappoint you, but I won't. I never have, no matter what happened.

[Indy Pendance]

I'm being sarcastic.

[Indy Pendance]

YOu got that right, Fr is being hit hard by trolls.

[bybybill]

Oh, lot`sa boozing going on now.
Like the one about "the only thing we have left is the Second Amendment", hope he stays in the house tonight.

[Pukin Dog]

Congress cant make the President do practically anything. Every bill becomes law on the Presidents signature, even those that would force his hand. He wont sign them. Let Congress fund the kind of border enforcement that is necessary to do the job, then the President will get on board. But also, let Congress take the money from pork-barrel spending instead of raising taxes to pay for it.

[Indy Pendance]

God, what happened to humor on FR?

[sinkspur]

Ever hear of Thomas Jefferson? Are you familiar with what he said about the "tree of liberty"?

Yeah. And he said it to many who had just come over in boats from Europe.

[Dr. Marten]

I'm inclined to think most American citizens are far to complacent to do much of anything.

[Pukin Dog]

Sink, I leave it to you, dude. I have to prepare for Jack Bauer's latest ass-kicking. See ya.

[sinkspur]

I'm being sarcastic.

It's hard to tell, what with formerly sane posters calling for armed revolution, and wanting to vote for the Constimatooshinalists, whose presidential nominee in 2004 put his own son, at the age of 2, in foster care.

[Indy Pendance]

This place used to be fun. I learned a lot here over the past 8 years. Not anymore. Everyone is flaming everyone, everyone thinks everyone is a troll. FGS, you all, need to lighten up, you're going to have a heart attack over a freaking web site.

[muawiyah]

Sounds like you live out in the SW. Big problem in this area are the Salvadorans. They are here legally. On parole. Time's up.

Yes, heard "W"'s speech. More pablum. Guy's just trying to be all things to all men, and that'll bite you in the a$$ every single time. Everybody knows that.

Still, simply enforcing current laws can get most of what we need ~ sending some major employers to prison will get the rest of it.

Who might you suggest to light up?

[sinkspur]

Sink, I leave it to you, dude. I have to prepare for Jack Bauer's latest ass-kicking. See ya.

Tonight's is the best episode of "24" yet!

[Indy Pendance]

see 516

[swampfox98]

Even worse, they basically ratified the fact that assimilation is no longer the desired goal of immigration to this country.

That goes without saying. The Mexican leaders always did say, "We have not come here to assimilate but to take over." Our politicians handed our country to Mexico on a silver platter, as I knew they would. But still it amazes me how many people here are happy about it.