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.
WTF are you talking about? tancredo could have worked with good conservatives Kyl/Cornyn, but decided to take his co-chair of his PAC, bay buchanan's advice, and act like an obstinate jack ass.
Too bad the weaklings just happen to be Senators.
Sorry for my ignorance on this.....So Frist has to power to decide what will go for a vote and what won't? Even if the Senate Judiciary Committee passes something?
I never knew Frist had such big ones.
Well, the quote was coming from his drunkeness Sen Kennedy. I don't think he knows what an American is.
I'll bring the rope.....
FRIST FOR PRESIDENT! DOWN WITH PRESIDENT BUSH! I AM SO SORRY THAT I CAMPAIGNED FOR HIM IN THE FIRST CAMPAIGN DURING THE PRIMARIES.
Where are you seeing that Frist won't let it get to the floor? I thought I saw on foxnews.com that the bill will be voted on tomorrow.
Yes, Senator Frist said that the Senate would debate his (Senator Frist's) bill.
I'm surprised they didn't put in provisions of land seizures of long time American citizens to help our newer citizens get a head start on their new status in the US.
Our best pal Arlen at work again...
DeWine, Specter, and Graham should be thrown out of office on their asses.
The illegal Mexican demonstrates the Congress capitulates! There is only a shadow of a government left. We are on our own as far as the invasion goes.
Mel Martinez is nuts. He's got his own agenda.
It jumps him to the top of the pack in my estimation...
Frist is majority leader..he decides what comes to the Senate floor......let's see if he can withstand the pressure from both sides...
"Let's see if the tancredo faction in the House will compromise somewhat on a guest worker program as described above, or keep fast to keep the money flowing into their PAC's."
95% makes a "faction?" Tancredo a dirty word for you? Funny about the money, where do you think the real money is flowing here? It isn't to the "Tancredo faction" that's for sure.
Oh don't be so hard on obstinate asses Dane, I hate to see someone put themselves down like this. Buck up Bud.
"Look who's here folks...it is the chairman of the "Pro-Criminal/Free Trade at all Costs/Open Border Lobby" crowd on FR."
ROFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
I emailed Kyle to tell him to stand firm -- didn't waste my time on McCain, he's a lost cause, and emailed Frist to stand firm against Specter (this time).
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