Senate Passes Immigration Bill Overhaul

My Way News ^ | May 25, 2006 | DAVID ESPO

[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.

[nicmarlo]

See: 33 Senators running for reelection in 2006

Republicans in order of likelihood of being defeated

Hutchison, Kay Baily (R) Texas
Frist, William (R) Tennessee
Lugar, Richard (R) Indiana
Lott, Trent (R) Mississippi
Hatch, Orrin (R) Utah

Vulnerable
Allen, George (R) Virginia
DeWine, Mike (R) Ohio
Snowe, Olympia (R) Maine

Somewhat Vulnerable
Burns, Conrad (R) Montana
Chafee, Lincoln (R) Rhode Island
Santorum, Rick (R) Pennsylvania

Safe & Sound
Ensign, John (R) Nevada
Kyl, Jon (R) Arizona
Thomas, Craig (R) Wyoming

There are 33 seats on the ballot in the United States Senate in 2006. Republicans are defending 15 seats, while Democrats have 17 to protect, plus independent Senator Jim Jeffords’ seat in Vermont.

In 2006, all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives will be up for grabs.

[nicmarlo]

ping to my post #61

[Arizona Carolyn]

Kyl may, or may not be safe. Pederson is getting a lot of support from the DNC and running ads against Kyl relentlessly. Lots of money being spent to buy that seat.

[Smartass]

:o)

[nicmarlo]

That list, sorry, is from that thread I linked, which is 2 years old; but the number of Senators up for election is correct. Their vulnerability has probably changed by now.

The number of Congressional seats up for grabs is also correct.

[Smartass]

Thanks nic. I've saved it for November reference.

 

[Arizona Carolyn]

I'm hoping Kyl's vulnerablility was reduced today with his no vote.. I wish McCain was running instead, I'd campaign for anyone, but McCain. Personally, recall is what he needs.

[supercat]

In 2006, all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives will be up for grabs.

How many are really (i.e. how many can be predicted to be anything less than a 55% win for the incumbent)?

[nicmarlo]

That thread was posted in 2004; hopefully, someone will make a new thread with more current information/updated vulnerability levels.

recall is what McRino needs.

I'd say so!

[nicmarlo]

In PA, they just booted out most all of the State incumbents.

[nicmarlo]

yw; that thread is from 2004, but it's at least a point of reference, even though dated info. re "vulnerability".

[Smartass]

I don't believe any of it matters. The NWO dye has been cast.
The rest is pure theatrics.

 

[nicmarlo]

The NWO dye has been cast. The rest is pure theatrics.

Honestly, I think you're right; but I'm still going to put up a fight.

[Smartass]

Absolutely. The next round is at the House of Reps.
We knew when McCain and Kennedy made a pack, it would
be a bust. No surprise we're here.

 

[nicmarlo]

We knew when McCain and Kennedy made a pack, it would be a bust. No surprise we're here.

Nope, no surprise at all.

[rolling_stone]

Its about time we amended the 17th amendment and made Senators terms 4 years and require that they have an IQ higher than their age....

[Mears]

bump

[nicmarlo]

made Senators terms 4 years and require that they have an IQ higher than their age....

BUMP!!!

[JustPiper]

the House is unmovable on H.R. 4437

Watch the daily thread for our line of attack,started formulating it soon as we got the bad news live on CSpan

[Mears]

We will all be living the way they live in Johannesburg,S.A.----locking ourselves in behind the gates at night.