Posted on 05/25/2006 4:35:06 PM PDT by Nachum
WASHINGTON (AP) - Legislation to secure U.S. borders and offer millions of illegal immigrants access to the American dream cleared the Senate on Thursday, a rare election-year reach across party lines and a triumph for President Bush.
The 62-36 vote cleared the way for arduous summertime compromise talks with the House on its version that focuses on border enforcement - with no guarantee of success.
"Why not say to those undocumented workers who are working the jobs that the rest of us refuse, come out from the shadows," said Arizona Republican John McCain, a key architect of the bill.
The legislation includes money to better secure the borders, provide a new guest worker program and give an eventual shot at citizenship to many of the estimated 11 million to 12 million immigrants in the country illegally.
The bill "strengthens our security and reflects our humanity," said Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., McCain's partner in Senate compromise. "It is intended to keep out those who would harm us and welcome those who contribute to our country."
Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and the Democratic leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, both sided with supporters, a reflection of the bipartisan backing for a bill that was months in the drafting and survived several near-death experiences.
Conservative critics attacked the legislation to the end after trying unsuccessfully to pull it apart with amendments.
"This bill will not secure our borders," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., one of the most persistent critics.
"This is amnesty," added David Vitter, R-La., who tried last week to strip out provisions relating to citizenship.
Not so, said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., chairman of the Judiciary Committee, in a rebuttal to weeks of debate. "They have to pay a fine. They have to undergo a criminal background check. They have to pay back taxes, they have to learn English and they have to go to the back of the line," he said, referring to illegal immigrants who would apply for citizenship.
Still, Sessions, Vitter, John Cornyn of Texas and others echoed a view widely held among House Republicans, many of whom have vigorously denounced the Senate bill as well as Bush's call for a "comprehensive approach" to the issue.
That portended difficult compromise talks in the shadow of midterm elections, at a time when Bush's poll ratings are low, congressional Republicans are concerned and Democrats are increasingly optimistic about their chances in November.
For now, supporters of the Senate bill said they intended to savor their victory. Peppered with questions about the compromise talks ahead, Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., said, "I'm going to celebrate here."
The House bill, which passed on a largely party-line vote last year, is generally limited to border enforcement. It would make all illegal immigrants subject to felony charges and it contains no provision for either a new temporary worker program or citizenship for men, women and children in the country unlawfully.
(AP) Republican senators appear at a Capitol Hill news conference, Thursday, May 25, 2006, to discuss... Full Image
In contrast, the Senate bill would mark the most far-reaching changes in immigration law in two decades. Built on compromise after painstaking compromise, it was designed to appeal to conservatives and others seeking tougher border enforcement; business interests eager for a steady supply of legal, low-wage labor; unions seeking enhanced protections for migrants who often toil in seasonal work the fields and Hispanics who are on the cusp of greater political power and determined to win a change in legal status for millions of illegal immigrants.
That last group - Hispanics - comprises the fastest growing segment of the electorate, and millions made their feelings clear in street demonstrations denouncing the House measure and calling for passage of a broader measure.
Bush played a prominent role in the run-up to passage. An Oval Office speech last week made explicit his support for the Senate's overall approach. A later trip to Arizona was designed to reassure conservatives about his commitment to stanching illegal immigration.
In more than a week of debate, the Senate made a series of changes in the legislation. Still, the key pillars were preserved when opponents failed to knock out the guest worker program or the citizenship provisions. A new program for 1.5 million temporary agricultural workers also survived.
To secure the borders, the measure calls for the hiring of an additional 1,000 new Border Patrol agents this year and 14,000 by 2011, and backs Bush's plan for a short-term deployment of National Guard troops to states along the Mexican Border. The bill calls for new surveillance equipment as well as the construction of 370 miles of triple-layered fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers.
The new guest worker program would admit 200,000 individuals a year. Once here, they would be permitted for the first time to petition on their own for a green card that confers legal permanent residency, a provision designed to reduce the potential for exploitation by employers.
A separate new program, a compromise between growers and unions, envisions admission of an estimated 1.5 million immigrant farm workers who may also apply for permanent residency
Even supporters of the bill conceded the three-tiered program related to illegal immigrants was complicated.
Those in the country unlawfully for five years or more would be permitted to remain, continue working and eventually apply for citizenship. They would be required to pay at least $3,250 in fines and fees, settle any back taxes and learn English.
Illegal immigrants in the country for more than two years but less than five would be required to travel to a point of entry before re-entering the United States legally and beginning a lengthy process of seeking citizenship. They would be subject to the same fines, fees and other requirements as the longer-term immigrants.
An immigrant in the country illegally for less than two years would be required to leave with no guarantee of return.
A new electronic system for employee verification is designed to hold employers accountable for hiring decisions. It provides for maximum fines of $20,000 for each worker and possible jail time for repeat offenders.
A separate controversy erupted over a call to make English the national language. Supporters said it would leave all current rights in place. Detractors argued it could undermine an executive order that mandates assistance to individuals who receive services such as health care yet lack proficiency in English.
I won't ever call my 19-year-old daughter a drama queen again!
I agree completely.........but
Given the current makeup of the House and Senate, do you think they would pass a bill such as HR 25?
I don't.
And if control goes to the "Dark side", do you think they would pass a bill that would take $$$ away from their social programs?
They will be looking to increase the flow of $$$ into their schemes.
Believe me, I'm normally not the 'doom and gloom' type......but I don't see a very good chance of seeing the slightest glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
I've got the bino's out and I'm looking hard.
Republics demand responsibility and morality not only from the elected officials, but from the People as well.
Strike One........Striiiiiiiiiike Two.........
We the people - have forgotten about that.
I don't know and I'm not sure of any easy way to find out. I'll let you know if I find anything.
How about our own deck of cards: "Republican Weasels"?
There's a certain morbid fascination in watching a political party pour gasoline over its head and then strike a match.
What do you make of the President freezing everything the FBI took out of Jefferson's office? Is this to make nice with Hastert to get him to push this bill? I know at this point I sound like a conspiracy theorist, again...
Graham was downright disgusting, today, when I was listening to him justify this on the radio. I hope he is sent packing when he's up for re-election again.
O'Reilly made clear to his listening audience (on the radio) that if the dems were in charge of the house there is no doubt this would be passed as is.
I missed H&C. I heard local radio KFYI and Kyl. I also receive emails from Kyl. He'll prevail in Nov. MCCain's presidential hopes are burned toast. The House, Senate reconciliation of the two bills, if lives up to the media hype, will be a brawl worth watching. America v. Globalists.
I don't believe Pres. Bush should not have tampered with a USDOJ investigation, of Jefferson, or Hastert. Moreover, I've never heard of subpoenaed evidence being sealed and negotiable during a criminal investigation? Sort of stands the rule of law on it's head.
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and... makes me verrrrrrrry suspicious in it's timing.
If this is playing out as I suspect we are in deep doo-doo as a country.
The rule of law is the thing that differentiates us and Banana Republics ---and camouflage-clad federales patrolling the streets with shoulder holsters and ammo straps. The invaders undermine our freedoms and bring with them Marxist contempt for our efforts to maintain a civilized society under a Constitution.
The sense of entitlement these people have is outrageous-----that we owe them a living, and that US citizens, and the US government, exist for their convenience...... while they break our laws with complete impunity.
IMHO, the RINOs aren't trying to capture votes from the illegals for themselves. Rather, they're trying to ensure that the Democrats remain enough power that they can argue the need for "moderate" Republicans. The RINOs are more than happy to allow Democrats to cheat, since it prevents their real enemies (conservatives) from gaining too much power.
If we can believe what we read, the immigration legislation's final outcome has yet to be determined. There could be surrendered reconciliation, or nothing.
The so called long term political fallout is just months away, and will be determined by us voters. I believe, there's been to big of an uproar for short memories for 06 or 08. Credit the American people for being better informed, then have occurred in the past. There's to much at stake for us to develop amnesia and/or forget or forgive these bloviating NWO rascals.
I know. It breaks my heart to see what is happening to my once upright country.
I guess we will find out if Hastert is willing to throw his speakership and the house to the wolves to please McCain and the President.
Two thoughts. Either the USDOJ and the Executive weren't on the same page (a double cover up), or a massive leader of the Houswe smack down, of go soft on S-2611 or else.
My money is on door #2.
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