Posted on 05/17/2006 9:47:43 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - The Senate voted Wednesday to exclude illegal immigrants convicted of a felony or three misdemeanors from a chance at remaining in the United States under what critics say is an amnesty program.
The unanimous vote on an amendment that before Easter had been considered a "poison pill" provided added momentum for broad immigration bill that would give legal status to millions of illegal immigrants and put many of them on a path toward citizenship.
The amendment by two of the bill's leading opponents, Republican Sens. Jon Kyl of Arizona and John Cornyn of Texas, was softened Tuesday in negotiations with the legislation's supporters. The sponsors agreed to include exceptions for hardship cases and those who didn't know a deportation order had been issued for them, winning the additional support.
"We want to keep those who could harm us, the criminal element, out," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), D-Mass., one of the authors of the bill. "Those who could benefit us ought to remain."
Critics of the legislation aren't giving up, however, and planned to keep trying to reshape the bill.
Sen. Jeff Sessions (news, bio, voting record), R-Ala., offered an amendment Wednesday that would erect more fencing along the nearly 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexican border, an idea similar to one in an enforcement-only bill passed by the House in December.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said Wednesday that lawmakers increasingly realize the need for a comprehensive plan that goes beyond trying to stop people at the border.
"If you just try to build a wall 30 feet high and 2,000 miles long, it will be insufficient. People will go up over it, around it, in order to get a job in this country," Frist said on CBS' "The Early Show."
This is 00122
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00122
Vote Summary
Question: On the Amendment (Salazar Amdt. No. 3994 )
Vote Number: 122 Vote Date: May 16, 2006, 12:40 PM
Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Amendment Agreed to
Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 3994 to S. 2611 (Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 )
Statement of Purpose: To prohibit implementation of title IV and title VI until the President determines that implementation of such titles will strengthen the national security of the United States.
Vote Counts: YEAs 79
NAYs 16
Not Voting 5
Exactly. What's a hardship case?
susie
This is 00124
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00124
Vote Summary
Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Bingaman Amdt. No. 3981 )
Vote Number: 124 Vote Date: May 16, 2006, 05:16 PM
Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Motion to Table Failed
Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 3981 to S. 2611 (Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 )
Statement of Purpose: To reduce the number of H-2C nonimmigrants to 200,000 during any fiscal year.
Vote Counts: YEAs 18
NAYs 79
Not Voting 3
Actually, let's take the salaries and perks from our senators and use that first, until they actually give us a secure border.
susie
This is good - if they grow some balz to enforce it. According to US Code Title 18, Section 1028 everyone who has in his/her possession or has used any form of falsified or stolen ID documents may be tried and if found guilty for such would be FELONS. That would include illegal aliens - essentially shutting them out from AMNESTY, unless there's an AMNESTY for that also....
Because they are a bunch of elite rich guys who can afford to live in gated communities and they like being able to have cheap gardners and nannies and potential future voters (the republicans cannot possibly believe THAT can they???).
They are not us.
susie
What a bunch of garbage! Deport them all! If they are here illegally now, they may not try to enter legally for at least 10 years. Make an amendment with cajones. Make it so impossible to come or live here illegally, they will try to do it the right, legal way like most others who can't just walk across the border.
My Rep is Wexler. I'm doomed.
susie
As long as "barriers" are worthless, lets take the one down arount the White House (or however you say it in Spanish) and the Capital.........after all Jorge and Fat@ss Teddy have nothing to fear.
At least from the Mexicans................
don't feel bad. My senator is Coleman and I'm doomed,too.
I think that would be considered a hardship case....
susie
I think... susie
Gimme a break, Frist.... Add a moat and electrified barbed wire if that's what it takes.
Well, people occasionally jump the White House fence, too, but to say the least it stops the vast majority.
Senator Frist disappoints me.
Oh really, you fatass slob? You really know about criminals don't you? It would be nice if we could keep the criminal elements in your family out too! You've harmed more people than most illegals will ever do.
Hell! You don't need a wall 30 feet
in heighth. Just 12 feet...ELECTRIFIED!
The 2000 miles could be watched
with temporary walls, cameras, boots
stationed every 30 yards where wall
aren't available, and drone air sur-
veillance.
But hitting the employers is the
2nd logical step...and not six months
down the line. Like tonight! In
the interrum, we'll be watching the
Senate dolts dance around with
Kennedy, Kerry, and McCain.
Sad, but true...
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