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.

[JeffAtlanta]

By golly, then let's ALL stay home. That'll show 'em. /sarc

Ever heard of the concept of taking 1 step back to take 2 steps forward? By constantly electing faux conservatives just because they have an (R) by their name just crowds out the real conservatives.

A good example is Ford losing to Carter. It was a step back, but it gave us Reagan.

It's also similar to keeping a coach around that also hovers just above .500 - he may not be the worst coach but you could do much better.

[Will_Zurmacht]

This whole issue really ticked me off today...so tonight I went out to Famous Dave's for a beer, a full slab of ribs, some beans and tater salad.

I'm much better now. Ya'll can save the republic, I'm stuffed...

[Hoosier-Daddy]

I was stuck in the gridlock that was Phoenix last Friday. In getting around the blocked off streets and congestion I traveled through the side streets to fight to my destination. Parked on the side streets were motor coaches, that must have brought some of the protesters, and I saw the protesters themselves, many of which were mothers with babies in strollers. Yet, with even the innocuousness of baby strollers, there was something ominous. It felt as though an army, inside the city, had suddenly materialized and made its presence known. It was on the surface non-violent, and yet you could see that they have no intention of going anywhere, had family here, and will not go peaceably. It felt like I had a very slight glimmer of what it must be like being an Israeli.

[JeffAtlanta]

Hellooooooooo, POTUS ran on GUEST WORKERS. Where have you been?

He didn't run on leaving the border completely unguarded.

[JeffAtlanta]

Every hear of a primary?

Incumbants are almost impossible to defeat in primaries due to resources.

Take a look at the Spectre primary last year when Bush stepped in to protect the status quo.

[BigSkyFreeper]

He didn't run on leaving the border completely unguarded.

Peroutka did though.

[freedumb2003]

If you are shooting for respect, you better check your loads.

LOL! You started this insult-fest. It is too fun to watch you show increasingly lowered IQ.

If we do this right, we can get this thread pulled as a flame war. Clearly your desire.

[onyx]

I am soooooooo jealous! I love BBQ!
And beer.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Incumbants are almost impossible to defeat in primaries due to resources.

I'm sure that comes as a comfort to Daschle.

[FreeReign]

A good example is Ford losing to Carter. It was a step back, but it gave us Reagan.

Reagan gave us citizenship amnesty. Good plan.

[JeffAtlanta]

Third party types are stopped at the door --- because they don't have seats inside. Peeping, weeping Tom's.

Who said anything about a third party? I'm actually advocating holding our elected representatives responsible for their voting history. Who knew it would be regarded as such a crazy concept.

[FreeReign]

Incumbants are almost impossible to defeat in primaries due to resources.

People vote, not resources.

[onyx]

I have posted here tirelessly and repeatedly that he should have sealed both borders on 0-12-01 and nobody, save for the ACLU would have said one word.

When that didn't occur, I knew right away that nothing to my liking would be done unless we're attracked again and the attack can be traced to our porous borders.

[SMM48]

Teddy just doesn't want to lose his maids and gardeners.

I wonder if there is a Home Depot on the Cape of Cod?

[JeffAtlanta]

Me: Incumbants are almost impossible to defeat in primaries due to resources.

You: I'm sure that comes as a comfort to Daschle.

You do realize that Dashle was defeated in the general election, right?

[BigSkyFreeper]

I'm actually advocating holding our elected representatives responsible for their voting history. Who knew it would be regarded as such a crazy concept.

That's not exactly a foreign concept. What's crazy is voting for the slimiest Democrat out of spite.

[moehoward]

LOL!!

[JeffAtlanta]

People vote, not resources.

LOL - how naive.

[BigSkyFreeper]

You do realize that Dashle was defeated in the general election, right?

Of course, and you do realize he was an incumbant? Right?

[Indy Pendance]

What do we fly over people know about haute couture? Who knew our lipstick should be smudged this season?