Probably not against Tom. I meant republicans in general.
susie
Exactly -- and that's my point. "General" means nothing.
The House -- all of whom are up for reelection this year -- passed a bill that I doubt many will find not tough enough. So the beef isn't with the House.
The President doesn't run again.
The Senate has either 33 or 34 up this year. Many are 'Rats who are safe and have no fear of losing because of lax border control. Many others are Republicans who would agree with the House bill.
So what you are really talking about is going after a few Republican Senators using the border issue as a club. Good luck with that. See how much traction that gets here in Ohio with Mike DeWine vs. Sherrod Brown. I doubt it will even be discussed much by either of them.
This issue is just not that big a deal for most pols. There will be debates, meetings, a bill will likely be passed -- and that will be the end of it for most people and the press for ten years at least.
The only issue that REALLY matters is employer sanctions. That will determine whether ANY bill is enforceable. If a guest worker program is carefully managed and enforced, with rules, procedures, etc. for employers, AND there are SEVERE penalties for employers who do not follow the guest worker program -- then it will work. Otherwise not.
Employers should pay fees for administering the guest worker program and employment should require proof of citizenship, a green card, or a guest worker permit -- for EVERYONE.
Let's see if that can get passed.