Posted on 04/05/2006 4:20:11 PM PDT by Libloather
Senate Stuck on Quarrels Over Immigration
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
25 minutes ago
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, pray in Los Angeles Wednesday, April 5, 2006, with Cardinal Roger Mahony, who was delivering a special Mass at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels to offer prayers for legislators who are debating immigration legislation this week. (AP Photo/Ricardo DeAratanha/Pool)
WASHINGTON - The Senate swung between compromise and gridlock Wednesday on the most sweeping immigration bill in two decades, the future of an estimated 11 million illegal aliens at the mercy of unpredictable election-year maneuvering.
Key senators haggled over a proposed deal to confer legal status on a large majority of the 11 million men, women and children, but compromise remained elusive. "We've got a ways to go," said Sen. Pete V. Domenici, R-N.M. after one bargaining session in the Capitol, although he added that the talks were "moving in the right direction."
But with Democrats adamantly refusing to allow votes on politically charged amendments, Majority Leader Bill Frist sounded a pessimistic note hours later on the Senate floor. Barring a dramatic change, said the Tennessee Republican, "The course we're on is to leave here in a few days having accomplished nothing for the American people."
Democrats seemed untroubled by the prospect.
They set up a test vote for Thursday on legislation that cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee more than a week ago with a bipartisan majority before it ran into Republican resistance on the floor.
"This is a vote that for millions of Americans is a question about whose side you're on," said Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat, adding that unless legislation clears the Senate this week, it may be doomed for the year.
But it appeared destined to gain far fewer than the 60 votes needed to advance, and perhaps less than a majority that would give political bragging rights to Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.
The bill would strengthen border security, regulate the flow of future foreign workers and open the way to citizenship for many immigrants who are in the country illegally.
With the floor vote looming, several officials said the compromise under discussion would allow longer-term illegals to seek citizenship after meeting several conditions, including the payment of fines and any taxes they owed. Immigrants in the United States illegally for less than five years but more than two would be required to travel to a border point of entry before they could re-enter as legal temporary workers. It was not clear whether they would have to physically leave the United States as part of the process.
Immigrants in the country less than two years, an estimated 2 million people, would be "in a little bit of limbo," said Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., not entitled to automatically return to the country if they made their presence known to authorities.
Officials said the talks had bogged down on the fate of the more than 3.5 million immigrants in the country between two and five years. Many Democrats and much of organized labor oppose temporary guest worker programs, arguing that they condemn individuals to a second-class existence subject to exploitation by their employers. And while those in the group would be given legal status, it was not clear how long they would be required to remain in a temporary status before they could receive so-called "green cards."
Under a scenario that had been under discussion, the government would grant 390,000 green cards a year. But critics pointed out that could leave some individuals in a temporary status for as long as 10 years, and only then be eligible to begin a six-year process of gaining citizenship.
Supporters countered that anyone covered by the proposed compromise had been living in the United States illegally, and would benefit from gaining legal status, even as temporary workers.
If the issue was hard to resolve, the politics were intense as both parties struggled with internal divisions.
Among the Democrats, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and others were actively involved in the compromise talks. But Reid and others told associates they were less interested in an agreement.
Sentiment was divided among Republicans, as well.
"I think we will soon be at the point where he (Frist) has to pull the bill and ask the Judiciary Committee to have intensive hearings and call a bill back up in some weeks or months," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., an outspoken critic of the legislation.
Nope it's called protect our border from invaders who are sneaking in by the millions, who our Government has absolutely no idea who they are what their true intent is so dont pull any stasi garbage, protect our Country period!
That very thing is what ended the Roman empire.
No I do not want to arm 11 million illegals and give them military training. Are you crazy?
At that instant, I would take my family and leave America.
"In otherwords you are voting for the party of Cynthia McKrazy and Harry"
So be it.
I will have plenty of company with fellow conservatives.
Big difference.
Shoot to kill? No. Troops to push them back? Yes.
What kind of Christianity do you practice that advocates shooting unarmed people?
Misery loves company.
This is a very perceptive article!
I guess we can forget about border security. This is all talk and no action!
Senator Jeff Session made a similar comment about border security relative to the Judiciary Committee Bill. Senator Session said that they can authorize Border security but there is no way that they can guarantee the money to implement it!
Is is called self defense, and being unarmed at the moment does not make them less of a threat
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa isn't he the PRO ABORTION MAYOR?
DOES CARDINAL MAHONY SUPPORT THE MAYOR'S PRO ABORTION STANCE?
One of the worst mistakes we ever made as a country was the Amendment allowing "popular" election of Senators. This body is a complete disaster.
Democrat Congressperson suggesting we apologize for deporting Mexicans in the 1930's!!!!! And reparations are mentioned!
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-04-04-1930s-deportees-cover_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Just when I thought I'd seen it all.
You know, like hes been doing(telling them TO stand down)..
Cardinal Moonbat(Mohoney) in L.A. is poisonous TO AMERICAS SOVERIGNTY...
And so, it seems, is the Shrub..
Has nothing to do with Christianity, can you guarantee that all the people sneaking into this country are UNARMED?
Care to talk with the Sheriffs and border patrol on the Texas border who are having rocks thrown at them are being attacked , who are these people who are attacking and killing our sheriffs and attacking our border patrol? Unarmed innocent little angels? Can you guarantee that?
That sentiment is music to Hilary's and the liberals ears.
Is is called self defense, and being unarmed at the moment does not make them less of a threat
LOL!! Good luck selling that to God. If I don't buy it, there's very little chance He will.
Are you familiar with the actions of the Vichy French during the invasion and subsequent occupation of France by Germany during WWII?
Libertarians are a hoot! They invariably aid the invaders of their own country in time of war.
Thank you!!
Well, how about the legislature (the part of government that makes laws) being on the side of ENFORCING EXISTING LAWS?
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