Posted on 06/20/2006 3:56:34 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
GOP leaders: No immigration bill this year
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent 33 minutes ago
In a defeat for President Bush, Republican congressional leaders said Tuesday that broad immigration legislation is all but doomed for the year, a victim of election-year concerns in the House and conservatives' implacable opposition to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants.
"Our number one priority is to secure the border, and right now I haven't heard a lot of pressure to have a path to citizenship," said Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., announcing plans for an unusual series of hearings to begin in August on Senate-passed immigration legislation.
"I think it is easy to say the first priority of the House is to secure the borders," added Rep. Roy Blunt (news, bio, voting record), the GOP whip.
In deference to the president, neither Hastert nor any other Republican official in either house said publicly that the president's ambitious plan — including a guest worker program as well as an opportunity for citizenship for many illegal immigrants — was dead for the year.
But several Republicans in both houses, speaking on condition of anonymity, were less guarded.
"There will be no path to citizenship," said one lawmaker who attended a strategy session in Hastert's office.
Some officials added that Republicans have begun discussing a pre-election strategy for seizing the political high ground on an issue that so far has served to highlight divisions within the party. Among the possibilities, these officials said, are holding votes in the House or Senate this fall on additional measures to secure the borders, or on legislation that would prevent illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security payments or other government benefits.
"The discussion is how to put the Democrats in a box without attacking the president,"
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Thankfully, we already have perfectly adequate immigration laws on the books. Now, are we a nation of laws, or not, Mr. President?
There are plenty of laws on the books now you people need to enforce. Forget the bill, do your jobs.
Unfortunately, those laws are rarely (if ever) enforced.
I agree...YAY!
In view of the White House pressure, it's time to contact my Congressman, again and again.
Like anyone thought the bunch of clowns would pass something prior to the election.
Both sides need to be put through the rinse cycle.
Well...then we just need to change our energy from fighting with each other...to contacting our Congresswienies..and telling them..that we want to see the laws enforced BY election time...
That might give the ones in the House, especially, the message to push for that to happen.
""Some officials added that Republicans have begun discussing a pre-election strategy for seizing the political high ground on an issue that so far has served to highlight divisions within the party. Among the possibilities, these officials said, are holding votes in the House or Senate this fall on additional measures to secure the borders, or on legislation that would prevent illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security payments or other government benefits."
The "strategy" is already in play in some races. Say adios to Senator Cantwell.
""The discussion is how to put the Democrats in a box without attacking the president," said one aide, speaking on condition of anonymity.""
Impossible to do IMO, and Bilbray, Sensenbrenner, have made it appear they had no problem doing so.
Should be an interesting summer of Rove, Democrats and MSM spinning "comprehensivity" as every one of the Senate bill's more outrageous provisions is displayed for public consumption.
Meanwhile 11,000 criminal invaders stream across our southern border everyday. If and when another 911 happens we will tar and feather every politican in Washington, democrat and republican. God help them all.
I've made it clear to my Rep. that border security must be addressed first so we don't get suckered again like in 1986.
There isn't going to be a bill next year either, except one for border enforcement ONLY.
If the Congress doesn't do anything else, they must beef up the border. That's what the American people want and it is the only immigration bill that will get the GOP re-elected.
There isn't going to be any immigration bills for the forseeable future, of any kind. Truth be told, neither House of Congress wants anything to do with "immigration reform."
If it is delayed, look for GW to make an all-out effort to get amnesty passed during his last 2 years in office.
GW won't just let it go. He has been trying to get it passed since 2001, and he isn't about to stop now, nor during the next 2 years.
For from being a defeat, I think it's a victory though Bush may not realize it. No bill this year likely means he'll keep the base for the November election. This is a good thing for Bush. This never should have been brought up in an election year.
By the way, why is this always the first line of nearly every story about what Congress opts to do or not do in terms of the Bush agenda? Why does it have to be put in terms of "defeat?" Is there ever any admission of victory for Bush like when we off-ed Zarqawi?
I don't think so.
He realizes he won't be able to get anything after this mid-term election, so he'll be content with the status-quo.
Before Bush put forth a proposal last year, the only push for "immigration reform" came from Glenn Spencer and his American Patrol and some fringe groups. It wasn't even in the top ten list of issues on the minds of American voters.
And the selective service registration .....presently a requirement for all males 18 to 26 and an instant barrier to citizenship for legal immigrants when not completed.
It's a line item question in the IN400 petition for citizenship form.
Anyone know how this issue is handled in theSenate bill....I guess the illegals get a pass on this..../sarcasm
Then get busy and pass a bill to secure the border Denny.
Keep up the good work.
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