Posted on 05/01/2006 1:52:32 PM PDT by Daralundy
Administration's immigration bill lobbying focuses on House leaders
President Bush's growing confidence that he will secure a victory on immigration runs in direct contrast to the House Republican leadership, which is prepared to block legislation that offers illegal immigrants a path to citizenship without sending them home.
Senate Democratic and Republican leaders are closing in on a bipartisan deal to secure the nation's borders, create a guest-worker program for foreign workers and offer citizenship to illegal immigrants who clear certain hurdles.
Assuming agreement is reached in the Senate, White House advisers said Bush believes that he can count on House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and other leaders to rally skeptical House Republicans behind legislation. But the White House may be underestimating the degree of opposition from within his party, according to several GOP members and aides.
GOP leaders are open to a compromise, but not one that involves a centerpiece of the carefully calibrated Senate approach -- allowing illegal immigrants a chance at citizenship as long as they pay a penalty and back taxes, learn English, remain employed and crime-free and get in line.
"That is certainly not the view of the House," said House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), who reiterated the House Republican view that the border must be secured before lawmakers even consider offering illegal immigrants guest-worker visas or citizenship.
Issue a test for Bush
House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.), the chief architect of the House-passed bill that would crack down on illegal immigration without providing avenues for lawful employment, much less citizenship, was equally direct. In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last week, Sensenbrenner said he was "disturbed" by Bush's recent pronouncements on a pathway to citizenship.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
I'd rather see no action than just another bandaid over the boil the way we'be been getting every 20 years.
This is what I insist our congress actually does:
Fence/wall first - I mean built and "manned" not just talked about, then follow existing laws re employer penalties, plus high taxes on money transfers back to Mexico - or even better stop it entirely - and no more anchor babies.
Well, excuse us, but, i happen to agree with Ifod1776, Bush's position and preaching of "GLOBALIZATION" will destroy our sovereignty.... to the extent that he refuses to enforce our immigration laws.
I fear it's already gone past the point of no return.
-The Senate has shown no wisdom.
-The House remains undetermined. One thing to pass a Borders only bill in that chambers knowing the Senate stands as an obstacle. To hold the line? That's the real test.
-The President hasn't lost his "mind". He ran on this proposal in multiple elections, this is not a new curve or a proposal anyone can claim betrayal about since he made his position very clear. This has nothing to do with ego, everything to do with the fact he believes this is the right thing to do. Whereas most Republicans on the Hill have no such belief, it is all about political calculations in their corner. Does that make it better or worse that he has been upfront about amnesty and his beliefs? IMO, yes, I'd rather honesty than dishonesty.
And, he's dead wrong.
I'm furious with his stance, but at the same time I won't allow generalizations that are not true to stand.
And, as of right now my vote has been withdrawn from the Republican ticket in '06. Over their failures on more than this issue, but this further alienates any softening of my attitude. I will not respond to pandering $100 gas pledges nor ONE judge out of committee nor long overdue extension of the tax cuts. They owe deliverance on a big proposal if they want their base to have their backs this election. Border enforcement, end the filibuster, suspend the gas tax completely, ANWR passage, SEVERE budget cuts NOT just cut in rate of growth. SOMETHING to show that they GET IT.
I've never seen a worse example of the popular will being ignored. Bush is either clueless or totally arrogant. He is shirking his responsiblity as Commander-in-Chief to defend our borders against invasion.
George W. Bush should be impeached for not enforcing our immigration laws.
This should be his past beliefs. Things have changed. This convergence of radical as well as Mexicans marching in the street and combined with the noise we hear should have influenced his thinking. The terrorist aspect should have, if nothing else, changed his mind with now a sure belief the borders should be closed except for legal crossing at check points.
Sorry, but the Senate and the House are the only ones trying to do anything with the borders. President Bush remains with his past thoughts, or damn near. Maybe the Senate and/or the House do not have anything perfect but the effort to do something is better than nothing.
Dum, dididum, dididum, dididum, BOHICA!
Dum, dididum, dididum, dididum, pass the KY, please!
I have been pressuring senators, but I think I will start thanking the HOUSE instead. They seem to be our last line of defense.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.