Posted on 04/24/2006 5:59:15 AM PDT by Crackingham
As Congress headed back Monday from a two-week recess, President Bush was in the country's most immigrant-rich state to push a stalled bill that would allow more foreigners to work legally in the United States. Lawmakers, with an eye on Election Day in just over six months, remain far apart on whether to crack down on illegal immigrants or embrace them as vital contributors to the U.S. economy.
Bush wants a law that would give temporary guest worker permits to foreigners in low-paying jobs while strengthening border security. He was to push his idea in a speech Monday in Irvine, Calif., a state that has seen massive protests in recent weeks calling for immigrant rights.
Sen. Arlen Specter, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Sunday he believes Congress will be able to work out differences and pass a bill. Specter, R-Pa., has pledged to have legislation ready for debate soon after lawmakers return.
Specter said Democrats and Republicans have to agree on a list of amendments to consider. And he acknowledged that even if senators pass a bill with a guest worker program, it will be tough to work that out with House members who passed a much tougher bill that would impose criminal penalties on those who try to sneak into this country and would build up fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border.
"It would be a tough conference, candidly, with the House, but we were able to work through the Patriot Act although there were big disagreements," Specter said on CNN's "Late Edition."
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., intends to seek passage of immigration legislation by Memorial Day by reviving the Senate bill that stalled earlier this month due to internal disputes in both parties as well as political maneuvering.
In a gesture to conservative critics of the measure, Republican leadership aides said last week that Frist also will seek roughly $2 billion in immediate additional spending for border protection.
Some conservatives have said the Senate bill is unacceptable because provisions allowing for eventual citizenship to some of the illegal immigrants already here amount to amnesty.
So, we're not overrun with illegal aliens, we are simply immigrant-rich? What a lovely way to put it.
Bush wants a law that would give temporary guest worker permits to foreigners in low-paying jobs...
What about the foreigners who are working in the not so low-paying jobs? Can we deport them?
ping
If your boat is sinking, the first thing you do is plug the leak. After all the new, intrusive water has been stopped it is time to start dealing with the mess inside the boat. When the border is sealed tight, then, and only then will I be able to believe anything any politician has to say about illegal immigration.
Going for that illegal democrat vote.
"It's not graft/amnesty, no sir . . . we just be `makin' friends'!"
Bill Clinton & his half-brother George W. Bush
I know, I agree...what you said
(I thought oh no please Bush don't talk illegal immmigration policy because I may get banned from FR if I respond...LOL:)
This is a sinker for the GOP, the economy (housing slowdown, gas prices, debt levels) are this fall's issue and pandering for someone's cheap labor is about as opposite of where they wanna be come Nov.
Yes, you and I see that why not everyone else? Bush and the Senators just don't get it. They are falling into a trap by passing anything lib let alone the KENNEDY/Mccain bill Specter, Graham, Mccain will sink the good ship GOP if the rest don't wise up and FAST!
Of all the time and money I've given to conservative causes over the years, those to this president have proven the most ill-spent, perhaps even contributing to an irreversible error.
Regards . . . Penny
If that is the case, then I wish him Godspeed and the same to Dr. Dean in torpedoing the Democrat Party. The sooner these two organized political crime syndicates are destroyed the sooner we'll be able to return to self governance.
If we could effect a drastic political change in Iraq and Afghanistan then surely we can do something here to salvage what is left of our republic.
"WHY IS BUSH DOING THIS? Can someone please answer this?"
Apparently, President Bush believes that this is the right approach, so he's pushing it. That must be true, since he's taking heat from just about everyone for his approach.
Why does he believe this is the right approach? That's a more pertinent question. The answer to that is unknown, I think.
I sure as heck can't figure it out.
Most illegal-immigrant-invaded state, Mr President.
Wow, we get a gesture, while Dems get their voters and employers get their cheap labor. Everybody wins!
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