Senators Wrangle Over Immigration Bill ('border security-first approach' voted down 55-40)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 5/16/06 | David Espo - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - The Senate rejected a call Tuesday to secure the nation's borders before tackling other immigration-related concerns such as citizenship for millions of men and women in the country illegally, a victory for President Bush and supporters of a comprehensive approach to a volatile election-year issue.

The vote was 55-40 against a proposal by Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga, who said that anything less than a border security-first approach amounted to "a wink and a nod one more time to those who would come here" unlawfully.

Republican and Democratic supporters of the sweeping Senate bill said Isakson's approach would be self-defeating and derail the approach that Bush backed in Monday night's prime time speech from the Oval Office. "We have to have a comprehensive approach if we're going to gain control of the borders," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), D-Mass.

Eager to blunt any political fallout from opposing Isakson's proposal, the bill's sponsors countered with an alternative of their own. Backed by Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., it said immigration changes envisioned in the legislation could proceed if the president declared they were in the national security interests of the United States.

The Senate cast its first votes on the immigration bill as Bush renewed his call for Congress to act. "The objective is, on the one hand, protect our borders; and, on the other hand, never lose sight of the thing that makes America unique which is, we're a land of immigrants and that we're not going to discriminate against people," he said at a news conference with Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

Bush drew continued criticism from House Republicans for his speech, and the White House sought to emphasize the border security elements of the president's plan.

"This is going to be a tremendous enforcement support partnership," U.S. Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar told reporters at the White House, anticipating the deployment of up to 6,000 National Guard troops to states along the Mexican border.

"We can certainly do what is asked by our commander in chief," added Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, National Guard Bureau Chief.

Blum, Aguilar and others stressed that National Guard forces would function in support roles, leaving front-line law enforcement against illegal immigrants in the hands of federal Border Patrol agents.

Republicans expressed support for new attempts to secure America's porous borders, but they rebelled against another element of what Bush calls a comprehensive plan to alter immigration laws.

"Thinly veiled attempts to promote amnesty cannot be tolerated,' said Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga. "While America is a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of laws, and rewarding those who break our laws not only dishonors the hard work of those who came here legally but does nothing to fix our current situation."

Any legislation that emerges from Congress will eventually come from House-Senate negotiations.

But first, the Senate had to act, and there, Bush's speech won praise from Republicans and Democrats alike lining up behind long-stalled legislation.

Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., said he and other supporters had the support needed to defeat any crippling amendments offered by critics. Bush's speech "solidified some votes," he told reporters.

"The president gets it," added Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

Behind the rhetorical lovefest lay political calculations — politicians of both parties stressing their election-year credentials as tough on illegal immigration in an era of terrorism.

Still, the impact on the Senate floor was to demonstrate support for legislation that combined several elements — toughening border control, creating a new guest worker program and opening the door to eventual citizenship for most of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants already in the country. The same bill includes provisions to toughen enforcement of laws against the hiring of illegal workers by businesses.

The centerpiece of Bush's speech Monday night from the Oval office was his announcement that as many as 6,000 National Guard troops would be dispatched, in coordination with governors, to states along the Mexican border to provide intelligence and surveillance support to Border Patrol agents. The Border Patrol would remain responsible for catching and detaining illegal immigrants.

"We do not yet have full control of the border, and I am determined to change that," the president said.

Still, Bush insisted, "The United States is not going to militarize the southern border."

While much of the advance focus on Bush's speech was on border security — a major issue for conservatives — the president's comments on possible citizenship for illegal immigrants were more explicit than earlier remarks and showed an effort to appeal to moderates and business owners who favor liberalized immigration laws.

"Some in this country argue that the solution is to deport every illegal immigrant, and that any proposal short of this amounts to amnesty. I disagree," he said.

"It is neither wise nor realistic to round up millions of people, many with deep roots in the United States, and send them across the border. There is a rational middle ground between granting an automatic path to citizenship for every illegal immigrant, and a program of mass deportation."

[Semper Paratus]

Wish the House Republicans would return that serve.

[Puppage]

The Senate rejected a call Tuesday to secure the nation's borders

ALL ENEMIES FORGEIN & DOMESTIC!!

[Bikers4Bush]

Who voted against it do we know?

[lormand]

""The president gets it," added Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill."

The political kiss of death

[Leatherneck_MT]

Anyone have a list of the senators and how they voted on this?

[NormsRevenge]

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/a_three_sections_with_teasers/votes.htm

Vote 00121
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00121

[Prokopton]

Looks like the President has the support of his base, the Democrats and the RINO's.

[Let's Roll]

How typical!

Borders first is the only plan I'll support.

What part of none of their other "plans" will work without first securing the borders do they not understand? OR do they understand it?

[kingu]

Well, I guess there now is no question that we lost the Senate. We'd have to gain at least ten of those wayward seats to regain control, and I just don't see it happening this year.

Wish they'd just put D's after their names, and get it over with.

[Leatherneck_MT]

Yeah it amazes me to see all of the people who continuously call those who are against the President's plan Dems.

The only people I see supporting it in the District of Criminals are those maggots who sold their soul to the MSM as republicans, and Democrats.

The proof is in the pudding. Dems support it.. what does that tell you?

[LS]

I hope they do. Meanwhile, we are only 8 votes away. That's one way to look at it.

[Torie]

immigration changes envisioned in the legislation could proceed if the president declared they were in the national security interests of the United States.

Ludicrous. How embarrassing.

[AntiGuv]

Statement of Purpose: To prohibit the granting of legal status, or adjustment of current status, to any individual who enters or entered the United States in violation of Federal law unless the border security measures authorized under Title I and section 233 are fully completed and fully operational.

YEAs ---40
Alexander (R-TN) Allard (R-CO) Allen (R-VA) Bond (R-MO) Bunning (R-KY) Burns (R-MT) Burr (R-NC) Byrd (D-WV) Chambliss (R-GA) Coburn (R-OK) Conrad (D-ND) Cornyn (R-TX) Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC)	Dole (R-NC) Domenici (R-NM) Dorgan (D-ND) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Frist (R-TN) Grassley (R-IA) Hatch (R-UT) Hutchison (R-TX) Inhofe (R-OK) Isakson (R-GA) Kyl (R-AZ) Landrieu (D-LA) McConnell (R-KY)	Nelson (D-NE) Roberts (R-KS) Santorum (R-PA) Sessions (R-AL) Smith (R-OR) Stabenow (D-MI) Sununu (R-NH) Talent (R-MO) Thomas (R-WY) Thune (R-SD) Vitter (R-LA) Wyden (D-OR)

NAYs ---55
Akaka (D-HI) Baucus (D-MT) Bayh (D-IN) Bennett (R-UT) Biden (D-DE) Bingaman (D-NM) Boxer (D-CA) Brownback (R-KS) Cantwell (D-WA) Carper (D-DE) Chafee (R-RI) Clinton (D-NY) Coleman (R-MN) Collins (R-ME) Craig (R-ID) Dayton (D-MN) DeWine (R-OH) Dodd (D-CT) Durbin (D-IL)	Feingold (D-WI) Feinstein (D-CA) Graham (R-SC) Hagel (R-NE) Harkin (D-IA) Inouye (D-HI) Jeffords (I-VT) Johnson (D-SD) Kennedy (D-MA) Kerry (D-MA) Kohl (D-WI) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Leahy (D-VT) Levin (D-MI) Lieberman (D-CT) Lincoln (D-AR) Lugar (R-IN) Martinez (R-FL) Menendez (D-NJ)	Mikulski (D-MD) Murkowski (R-AK) Murray (D-WA) Nelson (D-FL) Obama (D-IL) Pryor (D-AR) Reed (D-RI) Reid (D-NV) Salazar (D-CO) Sarbanes (D-MD) Schumer (D-NY) Shelby (R-AL) Snowe (R-ME) Specter (R-PA) Stevens (R-AK) Voinovich (R-OH) Warner (R-VA)

Not Voting - 5
Cochran (R-MS) Gregg (R-NH)	Lott (R-MS) McCain (R-AZ)	Rockefeller (D-WV)

[oceanview]

you can see the consensus forming on this - its the Dems + the moderate Rs joining with the administration to push it through.

Its going to be hard to stop this in the House, if they can peel off enough republicans in the House, we're done.

[KarlInOhio]

Looks like the President has the support of his base, the Democrats and the RINO's.

DeRino and Rinovich from Ohio voted No. (shaking my head in disgust).

[Leatherneck_MT]

Montana's vote

Baucus (D-MT), Nay

Burns (R-MT), Yea

Dems supporting the president's plan. My my how peachy is that.

[kingu]

As for the vote - the message wasn't one of compromise, it was a welcome mat at our borders for anyone who wants to come on in and join in on the happy bandwagon of amnesty. Thanks guys, really don't appreciate it.

[NormsRevenge]

Vote Number:	121	Vote Date:	May 16, 2006, 12:11 PM
Required For Majority:	1/2	Vote Result:	Amendment Rejected
Amendment Number:	S.Amdt. 3961 to S. 2611 (Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 )
Statement of Purpose:	To prohibit the granting of legal status, or adjustment of current status, to any individual who enters or entered the United States in violation of Federal law unless the border security measures authorized under Title I and section 233 are fully completed and fully operational.

Vote Counts:	YEAs	40
	NAYs	55
	Not Voting	5

Vote Summary

By Senator Name

By Vote Position

By Home State

Alphabetical by Senator Name

Akaka (D-HI), Nay Alexander (R-TN), Yea Allard (R-CO), Yea Allen (R-VA), Yea Baucus (D-MT), Nay Bayh (D-IN), Nay Bennett (R-UT), Nay Biden (D-DE), Nay Bingaman (D-NM), Nay Bond (R-MO), Yea Boxer (D-CA), Nay Brownback (R-KS), Nay Bunning (R-KY), Yea Burns (R-MT), Yea Burr (R-NC), Yea Byrd (D-WV), Yea Cantwell (D-WA), Nay Carper (D-DE), Nay Chafee (R-RI), Nay Chambliss (R-GA), Yea Clinton (D-NY), Nay Coburn (R-OK), Yea Cochran (R-MS), Not Voting Coleman (R-MN), Nay Collins (R-ME), Nay Conrad (D-ND), Yea Cornyn (R-TX), Yea Craig (R-ID), Nay Crapo (R-ID), Yea Dayton (D-MN), Nay DeMint (R-SC), Yea DeWine (R-OH), Nay Dodd (D-CT), Nay Dole (R-NC), Yea

Domenici (R-NM), Yea Dorgan (D-ND), Yea Durbin (D-IL), Nay Ensign (R-NV), Yea Enzi (R-WY), Yea Feingold (D-WI), Nay Feinstein (D-CA), Nay Frist (R-TN), Yea Graham (R-SC), Nay Grassley (R-IA), Yea Gregg (R-NH), Not Voting Hagel (R-NE), Nay Harkin (D-IA), Nay Hatch (R-UT), Yea Hutchison (R-TX), Yea Inhofe (R-OK), Yea Inouye (D-HI), Nay Isakson (R-GA), Yea Jeffords (I-VT), Nay Johnson (D-SD), Nay Kennedy (D-MA), Nay Kerry (D-MA), Nay Kohl (D-WI), Nay Kyl (R-AZ), Yea Landrieu (D-LA), Yea Lautenberg (D-NJ), Nay Leahy (D-VT), Nay Levin (D-MI), Nay Lieberman (D-CT), Nay Lincoln (D-AR), Nay Lott (R-MS), Not Voting Lugar (R-IN), Nay Martinez (R-FL), Nay McCain (R-AZ), Not Voting

McConnell (R-KY), Yea Menendez (D-NJ), Nay Mikulski (D-MD), Nay Murkowski (R-AK), Nay Murray (D-WA), Nay Nelson (D-FL), Nay Nelson (D-NE), Yea Obama (D-IL), Nay Pryor (D-AR), Nay Reed (D-RI), Nay Reid (D-NV), Nay Roberts (R-KS), Yea Rockefeller (D-WV), Not Voting Salazar (D-CO), Nay Santorum (R-PA), Yea Sarbanes (D-MD), Nay Schumer (D-NY), Nay Sessions (R-AL), Yea Shelby (R-AL), Nay Smith (R-OR), Yea Snowe (R-ME), Nay Specter (R-PA), Nay Stabenow (D-MI), Yea Stevens (R-AK), Nay Sununu (R-NH), Yea Talent (R-MO), Yea Thomas (R-WY), Yea Thune (R-SD), Yea Vitter (R-LA), Yea Voinovich (R-OH), Nay Warner (R-VA), Nay Wyden (D-OR), Yea

Vote Summary

By Senator Name

By Vote Position

By Home State

Grouped By Vote Position

YEAs ---40
Alexander (R-TN) Allard (R-CO) Allen (R-VA) Bond (R-MO) Bunning (R-KY) Burns (R-MT) Burr (R-NC) Byrd (D-WV) Chambliss (R-GA) Coburn (R-OK) Conrad (D-ND) Cornyn (R-TX) Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC)	Dole (R-NC) Domenici (R-NM) Dorgan (D-ND) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Frist (R-TN) Grassley (R-IA) Hatch (R-UT) Hutchison (R-TX) Inhofe (R-OK) Isakson (R-GA) Kyl (R-AZ) Landrieu (D-LA) McConnell (R-KY)	Nelson (D-NE) Roberts (R-KS) Santorum (R-PA) Sessions (R-AL) Smith (R-OR) Stabenow (D-MI) Sununu (R-NH) Talent (R-MO) Thomas (R-WY) Thune (R-SD) Vitter (R-LA) Wyden (D-OR)

NAYs ---55
Akaka (D-HI) Baucus (D-MT) Bayh (D-IN) Bennett (R-UT) Biden (D-DE) Bingaman (D-NM) Boxer (D-CA) Brownback (R-KS) Cantwell (D-WA) Carper (D-DE) Chafee (R-RI) Clinton (D-NY) Coleman (R-MN) Collins (R-ME) Craig (R-ID) Dayton (D-MN) DeWine (R-OH) Dodd (D-CT) Durbin (D-IL)	Feingold (D-WI) Feinstein (D-CA) Graham (R-SC) Hagel (R-NE) Harkin (D-IA) Inouye (D-HI) Jeffords (I-VT) Johnson (D-SD) Kennedy (D-MA) Kerry (D-MA) Kohl (D-WI) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Leahy (D-VT) Levin (D-MI) Lieberman (D-CT) Lincoln (D-AR) Lugar (R-IN) Martinez (R-FL) Menendez (D-NJ)	Mikulski (D-MD) Murkowski (R-AK) Murray (D-WA) Nelson (D-FL) Obama (D-IL) Pryor (D-AR) Reed (D-RI) Reid (D-NV) Salazar (D-CO) Sarbanes (D-MD) Schumer (D-NY) Shelby (R-AL) Snowe (R-ME) Specter (R-PA) Stevens (R-AK) Voinovich (R-OH) Warner (R-VA)

Not Voting - 5
Cochran (R-MS) Gregg (R-NH)	Lott (R-MS) McCain (R-AZ)	Rockefeller (D-WV)

Vote Summary

By Senator Name

By Vote Position

By Home State

Grouped by Home State

Alabama:	Sessions (R-AL), Yea	Shelby (R-AL), Nay
Alaska:	Murkowski (R-AK), Nay	Stevens (R-AK), Nay
Arizona:	Kyl (R-AZ), Yea	McCain (R-AZ), Not Voting
Arkansas:	Lincoln (D-AR), Nay	Pryor (D-AR), Nay
California:	Boxer (D-CA), Nay	Feinstein (D-CA), Nay
Colorado:	Allard (R-CO), Yea	Salazar (D-CO), Nay
Connecticut:	Dodd (D-CT), Nay	Lieberman (D-CT), Nay
Delaware:	Biden (D-DE), Nay	Carper (D-DE), Nay
Florida:	Martinez (R-FL), Nay	Nelson (D-FL), Nay
Georgia:	Chambliss (R-GA), Yea	Isakson (R-GA), Yea
Hawaii:	Akaka (D-HI), Nay	Inouye (D-HI), Nay
Idaho:	Craig (R-ID), Nay	Crapo (R-ID), Yea
Illinois:	Durbin (D-IL), Nay	Obama (D-IL), Nay
Indiana:	Bayh (D-IN), Nay	Lugar (R-IN), Nay
Iowa:	Grassley (R-IA), Yea	Harkin (D-IA), Nay
Kansas:	Brownback (R-KS), Nay	Roberts (R-KS), Yea
Kentucky:	Bunning (R-KY), Yea	McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Louisiana:	Landrieu (D-LA), Yea	Vitter (R-LA), Yea
Maine:	Collins (R-ME), Nay	Snowe (R-ME), Nay
Maryland:	Mikulski (D-MD), Nay	Sarbanes (D-MD), Nay
Massachusetts:	Kennedy (D-MA), Nay	Kerry (D-MA), Nay
Michigan:	Levin (D-MI), Nay	Stabenow (D-MI), Yea
Minnesota:	Coleman (R-MN), Nay	Dayton (D-MN), Nay
Mississippi:	Cochran (R-MS), Not Voting	Lott (R-MS), Not Voting
Missouri:	Bond (R-MO), Yea	Talent (R-MO), Yea
Montana:	Baucus (D-MT), Nay	Burns (R-MT), Yea
Nebraska:	Hagel (R-NE), Nay	Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Nevada:	Ensign (R-NV), Yea	Reid (D-NV), Nay
New Hampshire:	Gregg (R-NH), Not Voting	Sununu (R-NH), Yea
New Jersey:	Lautenberg (D-NJ), Nay	Menendez (D-NJ), Nay
New Mexico:	Bingaman (D-NM), Nay	Domenici (R-NM), Yea
New York:	Clinton (D-NY), Nay	Schumer (D-NY), Nay
North Carolina:	Burr (R-NC), Yea	Dole (R-NC), Yea
North Dakota:	Conrad (D-ND), Yea	Dorgan (D-ND), Yea
Ohio:	DeWine (R-OH), Nay	Voinovich (R-OH), Nay
Oklahoma:	Coburn (R-OK), Yea	Inhofe (R-OK), Yea
Oregon:	Smith (R-OR), Yea	Wyden (D-OR), Yea
Pennsylvania:	Santorum (R-PA), Yea	Specter (R-PA), Nay
Rhode Island:	Chafee (R-RI), Nay	Reed (D-RI), Nay
South Carolina:	DeMint (R-SC), Yea	Graham (R-SC), Nay
South Dakota:	Johnson (D-SD), Nay	Thune (R-SD), Yea
Tennessee:	Alexander (R-TN), Yea	Frist (R-TN), Yea
Texas:	Cornyn (R-TX), Yea	Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Utah:	Bennett (R-UT), Nay	Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Vermont:	Jeffords (I-VT), Nay	Leahy (D-VT), Nay
Virginia:	Allen (R-VA), Yea	Warner (R-VA), Nay
Washington:	Cantwell (D-WA), Nay	Murray (D-WA), Nay
West Virginia:	Byrd (D-WV), Yea	Rockefeller (D-WV), Not Voting
Wisconsin:	Feingold (D-WI), Nay	Kohl (D-WI), Nay
Wyoming:	Enzi (R-WY), Yea	Thomas (R-WY), Yea

[Bikers4Bush]

DeWine will seal his fate in Ohio with his support of this trash.