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In Congress, GOP regrets that harsh bill was last word
Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau ^ | April 10, 2006, 3:06PM | GEBE MARTINEZ

Posted on 04/10/2006 4:40:53 PM PDT by Dubya

WASHINGTON - When the U.S. House passed a bill in December making it a felony to be in the country illegally, the ''get-tough'' message became the flash point that has drawn millions of protestors into the streets.

With the Senate failing last week to finish a bill that would have rejected some of the harshest language in the House version, Republicans are expressing regret that the punitive House measure stands as the most recent congressional action on immigration.

''There are demonstrations all over America, and the House bill is the only bill out there,'' complained Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. His comprehensive border enforcement and worker visa program bill served as the framework for the Senate bill that got derailed in a partisan procedural fight.

House GOP leaders defend their decision to limit their bill to border enforcement and harsher penalties against illegal immigrants and those who hire them or give them aid. Many House Republicans also oppose President Bush's call for temporary work visas until the borders are made more secure and illegal immigration is curbed.

House sponsors wanted to erect new legal barriers to illegal immigration.In a recent letter to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, three House leaders defended the proposed penalties on those who give aid or counseling to illegal immigrants as a way to crack down on human and drug smuggling operations.

''We need to have the tools to be able to prosecute and put in jail the coyotes,'' said House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisc., referring to people who smuggle Mexicans and others into the United States.

Critics argue that anti-smuggling laws already are comprehensive and that Sensenbrenner was intent on cutting off humanitarian assistance to illegal immigrants.

''I would call on him to be honest and say that's what's happening,'' said Jeanne Butterfield, executive director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

While not giving in on that point, Sensenbrenner conceded that a provision to turn illegal immigrants into felons was ''overkill.'' But he blamed Democrats for blocking his efforts to lessen the penalty.

After the bill was sent from committee to the full House for a vote, the Bush administration realized the felony aspect could lead to an unprecedented demand for jury trials for illegal immigrants, swamping federal courts and detention facilities.

If the felony penalty becomes law, it would make an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants , including those who overstayed their visas, subject to arrest and jailing for up to a year for ''unlawful presence'' in the United States.

The White House asked Sensenbrenner to reduce the proposed violation to a misdemeanor, with a six-month jail term. But a vote to cut the penalty failed at the hands of law-and-order Republicans, as well as Democrats, who wanted to show that the GOP was being mean-spirited.

The Senate version would make the violation a misdemeanor.

gebe.martinez@chron.com


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 109th; aliens; illegals; propaganda; rinos; senaterinos; sensenbrenner
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reted doing that.Republicans are expressing regret that the punitive House measure stands as the most recent congressional action on immigration.

I didn't know that the GOP regreted doing anything.

I also didn't know the GOP did anything.:^)

1 posted on 04/10/2006 4:40:56 PM PDT by Dubya
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To: Dubya
What is wrong with these people?

They didn't do ANYTHING.

2 posted on 04/10/2006 4:41:51 PM PDT by Jim Noble (And you know what I'm talkin' 'bout!)
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To: Dubya
House sponsors wanted to erect new legal barriers to illegal immigration.In a recent letter to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, three House leaders defended the proposed penalties on those who give aid or counseling to illegal immigrants as a way to crack down on human and drug smuggling operations.

Sounds good to me.

3 posted on 04/10/2006 4:42:40 PM PDT by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
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To: Dubya

House of cards falling.


4 posted on 04/10/2006 4:42:42 PM PDT by mtbopfuyn
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To: Dubya
House GOP leaders defend their decision to limit their bill to border enforcement and harsher penalties against illegal immigrants and those who hire them or give them aid. Many House Republicans also oppose President Bush's call for temporary work visas until the borders are made more secure and illegal immigration is curbed.

Sounds good to me too.

5 posted on 04/10/2006 4:43:58 PM PDT by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
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To: Dubya
House sponsors wanted to erect new legal barriers to illegal immigration.

I'd go for concrete and steel barriers.

6 posted on 04/10/2006 4:44:04 PM PDT by Right Wing Assault ("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
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To: Dubya
Senator McCain is dead wrong. The House bill was the right word and he's too block-headed to see that and it dooms his presidential aspirations in '08. Just keep pushing McKennedy, Senator and you'll wish you HAD gotten the nomination.

(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.")

7 posted on 04/10/2006 4:44:22 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: Dubya

Heard on the Hugh Hewitt show this evening, that the Republicans tried to remove the Felony status from the House bill, but the Democrats blocked it.

Has anyone else heard that? If it's true, that would sure short-circuit any attempt to cast the Repbulicans as the problem.


8 posted on 04/10/2006 4:44:46 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (If you don't want to be lumped in with those who commit violence in your name, take steps to end it.)
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To: Dubya
Critics argue that...... Sensenbrenner was intent on cutting off humanitarian assistance to illegal immigrants.

Good , let the illegal immigrant get humanitarian assistance from their home nation.

''I would call on him to be honest and say that's what's happening,'' said Jeanne Butterfield, executive director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Jeanne, let me be honest. I call you swine. Lawyers phtttp.

9 posted on 04/10/2006 4:46:32 PM PDT by A message
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To: DoughtyOne
They ARE felons. Country crashers are the same as people who enter your home UNINVITED. What the hell is the GOP's problem?

(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.")

10 posted on 04/10/2006 4:46:38 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: Right Wing Assault

Someone suggested a mile wide canal from California to Mexico. It would keep the illegals out and create a lovely stretch of waterfront property.


11 posted on 04/10/2006 4:46:42 PM PDT by Lunatic Fringe (http://ntxsolutions.com)
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To: Dubya
While not giving in on that point, Sensenbrenner conceded that a provision to turn illegal immigrants into felons was ''overkill.'' But he blamed Democrats for blocking his efforts to lessen the penalty.

Sensenbrenner screwed up by letting a felony provision get into the bill.

Democrats were only too eager to capitalize on his mistake.

A big mistake, as it turns out.

12 posted on 04/10/2006 4:47:00 PM PDT by sinkspur (Things are about to happen that will answer all your questions and solve all your problems.)
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To: Right Wing Assault
CORRECTION: Someone suggested a mile wide canal from California to Mexico Texas. It would keep the illegals out and create a lovely stretch of waterfront property.
13 posted on 04/10/2006 4:47:21 PM PDT by Lunatic Fringe (http://ntxsolutions.com)
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To: Dubya

"I didn't know that the GOP regreted doing anything."

John McCain says so. There's one.

"The White House asked ..."

Rove's people spinning. Anything to detract from discussion of the Senate bill proposed.


14 posted on 04/10/2006 4:48:20 PM PDT by Shermy
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To: goldstategop

You know what, I agree on that point. Now, should it be okay for the Democrats to demagogue the issue as if they didn't vote to keep it in?

Look, you're not going to get an arguement out of me for going tough against illegal aliens. I'm just fine with illegal aliens being classified as felons.


15 posted on 04/10/2006 4:48:43 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (If you don't want to be lumped in with those who commit violence in your name, take steps to end it.)
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To: DoughtyOne
Has anyone else heard that? If it's true, that would sure short-circuit any attempt to cast the Repbulicans as the problem.

Why did Sensenbrenner let it get put in the bill in the first place?

16 posted on 04/10/2006 4:49:17 PM PDT by sinkspur (Things are about to happen that will answer all your questions and solve all your problems.)
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To: sinkspur
The GOP should have toughened it up. If we don't take our own laws seriously who will? Of course the Democrats don't want our immigration laws enforced! And they haven't been enforced for decades. That is precisely the point.

(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.")

17 posted on 04/10/2006 4:49:31 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: Shermy

This isn't direct at you, but I'm sick of hearing John McCain's opinion on anything. He disgusts me to the ultimate.


18 posted on 04/10/2006 4:50:06 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (If you don't want to be lumped in with those who commit violence in your name, take steps to end it.)
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To: Dubya
The headline is misleading - Some in the GOP, like McCain, regret it, but not the House.
19 posted on 04/10/2006 4:50:16 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
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To: Dubya

20 posted on 04/10/2006 4:50:27 PM PDT by VU4G10 (Have You Forgotten?)
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