Posted on 05/11/2006 11:27:54 AM PDT by Sharks
Senate leaders say they have reached a deal to revive a broad immigration bill that could provide millions of illegal immigrants a chance to become American citizens. The agreement doesn't involve provisions of the law, but it does end, for now, a lingering political standoff.
The agreement brokered by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., breaks a political stalemate that has lingered for weeks.
Key to the agreement is who will be negotiating a compromise with the House and its tough enforcement-only bill.
The House passed much more strict immigration legislation in December. It would subject the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States to felony charges as well as deportation.
Republican leader Bill Frist says the Senate will send 14 Republicans and 12 Democrats to the other side of the Capitol to negotiate a compromise. Seven of the Democrats will be hand-picked by Democratic leader Harry Reid.
Frist said a "considerable" number of amendments would be debated when the Senate begins debating the bill early next week.
Reid acknowledged on the Senate floor Thursday morning that he "didn't get everything that I wanted" in the agreement, but said Frist didn't either. Reaching the agreement is "not easy with the political atmosphere," Reid said.
Reid had been taking some criticism for refusing to move forward on the bill after complaining that Republicans were trying to undermine it with amendments and insisting that Democrats be allowed to have a say in who serves on the conference committee.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbs4denver.com ...
"The GOP has just dropped it's pants and allowed the Rats that MSM to win the day."
Why do you think the GOP is not willing partners in this catastrophe? Frist, McCain, etc. probably got big promises of support for their vanity presidential campaigns. All the senators get big bucks from the Chamber of Commerce, etc., interests looking to quick bucks on a wage depression policy.
Roger that. BOHICA.
Hopefully the House will insist on focusing on protecting our borders. Unfortunately, to compromise, some illegals will eventually become citizens. I hope the process is long and puts them at the back of the line.
Well its progress. I for one want something to what Bush is proposing with tough border controls like in the house bill. More importantly I want the money to back it up and not some legislation that is not funded.
That is a very optimistic assessment given the past performance.
Exactly. I suspect that some sort of guest worker and proposed citzenship proposal will be a part of this. However, if we can get tough border security that is something big.
"Because our current immigration system is working so well."
No because if they give amnesty it can't be undone. Either we do this correctly once, or we lose. This isn't a tax increase that can be undone.
Senate leaders say they have reached a deal to revive a broad immigration bill...please don't let Kennedy get his greasy hands on it.
"However, if we can get tough border security that is something big."
We already should have it. It's called the "law". Bush is dumbing us down with the expectation that we have to bargain with him for security.
Some of those amendment may easily kill the bill.
Let the fireworks begin.
I've got my popcorn ready.
Oh, goody-goody gumdrops. [/sarc]
Whatever Senate bill passes, it will never clear the House. IIRC, Sensenbrenner is part of the Conference committee that reconciles the House and Senate bills on immigration.
I doubt that any bill will become law, but I'll admit that predicting Washington politics is tricky.
I doubt the senate has the courage to do anything worth praising.
I hope you're right, but why aren't they talking about this? They always focus on their shamnesty agenda instead.
They have lost all credibility unless they actually take steps to close off the border to any further illegal immigration. Talk is cheap.
It can get worse, too. No action is better than a bad immigration bill that legalizes the illegal.
The Republican majority is based on Red State Mentality, yet it governs with a Blue State Moronism.
I think you are mistaken. The key to this whole thing is ongoing and thorough employer sanctions. If there is not reason to come, the illegal would be worker would not jump the border.
We have to close the border to drug dealers and terrorists.
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