Posted on 05/17/2007 10:16:31 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of senators reached agreement with the White House Thursday on an immigration overhaul to grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. and fortify the border against new ones.
One of the key negotiators, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said he expects President Bush to endorse it.
The deal came after weeks of painstaking closed-door negotiations that brought the most liberal Democrats and the most conservative Republicans together with Bush's Cabinet officers to produce a highly complex measure that carries heavy political consequences.
It set the stage for what promises to be a bruising battle next week in the Senate on one of Bush's top non-war priorities.
This is a breaking news update. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican and Democratic senators huddled Thursday trying to close in on an immigration compromise to grant quick legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants while fortifying U.S. borders against new ones.
A group of lawmakers that has been haggling over the terms of agreement for weeks were reviewing language negotiated Wednesday night in efforts to nail down a deal. Among the final sticking points was a stubborn dispute over how much family ties count toward green cards under a new "point system." The plan prioritizes advanced skills and education levels for future immigrants.
Two of the lead negotiators, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Lindsey Graham (news, bio, voting record), R-S.C., booked time for Thursday afternoon in the Senate's radio-TV gallery for an announcement.
But Kennedy said some were hanging back as an agreement inched closer.
"There are just some people who don't want to close on this. There comes a time in every negotiation where people have to close," Kennedy said. "Today is it."
Kennedy said Thursday was likely the last chance for a compromise before senators scattered for a three-day weekend.
"The immigration reform legislation has come to a boiling point," Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., said just before going into Thursday's meeting. "We've tried to come to a consensus and I think we are very, very close, but every time we grasp it, it eludes a final resolution."
If no deal emerged, Senate Democrats were to vote Monday evening to bring up an immigration measure that passed last year over the objections of most Republicans, who have said they will block it. That would be a highly partisan start to the immigration debate, which divides the two parties and exposes fissures within their ranks.
Even with a bipartisan agreement, the immigration debate could easily devolve into a free-for-all in the unruly Senate.
Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., has said he wants to complete a bill before Memorial Day, and President Bush says he wants to sign one by summer's end.
Really?! I doubt very much what you just said.
LOL....
I thought of it all by myself. LOL
LOL. Thanks, I needed that laugh on this depressing day.
....and O'Reilly just endorsed the bill: "It's not perfect, but it's the best we're going to get."
He also said he believes that we're now going to really clamp down on the border and get it under control. Unfathomably naive of him.
I shall be careful about this, thank for the golden wise words (sarcasm beyond belief).
amnesty am-nes-ty -n 1. a general pardon
for offenses against a government
Rove knows the base won't vote for Hillary, so they can be abused . . . no matter what Bush does, the base won't vote for Hillary. So the base doesn't count. The base's votes are like money in the bank.
When O’Reilly endorsed the extermination of Terri Schiavo, I never again listened to him for even a second. I have interest in a single word the man has to say.
: )
I like it.
Talking about a third amnesty in addition to this one bringing in tens of millions more.
sw
AMEN! I’m ready.
sw
Yes, and OUR tax dollars keep groups like LaRaza (and CAIR) going. We finance our own demise.
April 23, 2007 - IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Sponsor: Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [TX-15] COSPONSOR Rep Renzi, Rick [AZ-1]
To authorize appropriations for assistance for the National Council of La Raza and the Raza Development Fund.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section—
(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and (2) $10,000,000 for each fiscal year thereafter.
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=25447
I did too. The NBA playoffs are more interesting. ....and that’s a rare event.
...I 'm sure some realized Bush might have wanted this in 2000, but a lot of us didn't fully understand the ramifications of this....
..or his zeal to achieve it.
In hindsight, I guess in 2001 he was probably close to passing this kind of bill (with Mexican President Fox a close ally)....
..until 9/11 happened, and that set everything back.
I voted for Bush twice....
..I earnestly worked towards his win...
..and supported the efforts of those in West Palm to keep the votes away from Gore.
I don't know what I think now...
I wonder what the Swift Boat patriots are thinking now...after all, their efforts helped Bush as well.
Gore and Frankenstein Heinz would have been a lot worse, I know....
...but this is not fair....we shouldn't have to deal with this....
...what is happening to our country.
I'm very disheartened.
Oh, I want to close alright! I want to close the border and kick your cheap, taxpayer-funded, medical-stealing, freeloading labor out of my country, Teddy.
The democRATS are looking for new freeloaders for their party base. The republicans are looking, apparently, for cheap labor. Neither is looking for votes in 2008!
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