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.
I just emailed Frist via his website, encouraging him to block this bill. Couldn't hurt.
A bill that actually encourages more in the future.
That one point should be hung around every proponent's neck until election day. Repubs will pick up seats.
And that would be good exactly why??
They sold us out just like everybody else.
We need another political party.
The american party or something.
Every congressional seat that touches a border would be a good place to start.
Those people are the most worried.
Dane you are traitor to America and a traitor for money at that.
What about Sam Brownback? His actions are no less shameful than the others you mention.
Stop donating directly to the Republican party and only donate directly to those representatives who support our issues. That way those crapolas who vote for this sort of stuff can just whine to the Democrats for campaign money.
Brownback has lost future support from me. Shame.
I noticed.
"Specter looked awfully happy after the vote for someone who just failed so miserably at doing what he supposedly set out to do."
He's smiling because he knows he just handed the Senate to the Democrats. Once a Democrat, always a Democrat.
RIGHT! I was absolutely depressed when I heard it passed today but than heard the good news that Frist will NOT allow it to pass. Thank God!
I'm for a guest worker program, but they must leave the country and get in the back of the line for citizenship.
Huh? Germany has a guestworker program. It's doesn't work. We need workers, they come. Economy turns sour, we don't need workers, guess what??? THEY DON'T GO HOME!!!! Ask the Germans. They've even paid their "guestworkers" to leave. They take the money, leave the country and re-enter illegally. It's a joke. Do your homework!!! Don't listen to politicians telling you how wonderful a guestworker program would be.
They don't need our money. They get that from Corporate America. What they need are our votes, and we can keep those from them.
LOL! The above coming from someone who was supporting hillary a year ago when she was "talking tough" on immigration.
You are so transparent sammy.
Well, that's the way I see it, but what the heck, there are so many traitors these days it's become difficult to decide where to start...
sorry
THEY ARE DISGUSTING! WTF with Graham's coyness, his constant accolades (uh, hello, this is THE issue of our time), and then his eventual commitment? He looked like a nervous schoolgirl being asked on a date. I know it's politics but I am ASHAMED those bozos represent us. WHO VOTED FOR THEM???
If you think there isn't a huge backlash against the betrayal of our country you are dreaming.
No, we don't need these people. Our economy would not grind to a halt. They are entirely a mechanism to keep the wages of Americans who are non white collar professionals down. Outsourcing and offshoring are for keeping down the wages of white collar professionals. If you think reducing the American standard of living is the stuff future GOP victories are made of, guess again.
Kyl, Cornyn and yes, even Frist just jumped to the head of the pack in 08.
They are showing strength and resolve - two unpolled, but, extremely important qualities.
Brownback never had a chance and McCain in 08 exists only in Chris Matthew's fantasy world .
Kyl / Franks in 08 .
So he supported tough talk on immigration. I can see how that would piss you off.
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