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.
Cripes! You insult the holocaust and those that died in it. You're like one of those recoquistas telling this invasion is the same as the civil rights movement.
Who did the Jews invade, mooch off and kill THOUSANDS of people? When? Where?
Shame on you.
Because they put the traitors in office!!!
Welcome to America, bought and paid for with the blessings of all you 'internationalists'.
"J.D. Hayworth's loss was particularly noteworthy because unlike the other candidates being mentioned, he could fairly be called one of the leaders of the "tough on illegal immigration" crowd.
For example, on October 24, 2006, here's a message that was posted prominently on the front of Mitchell's web page:
"I'm proud to show you the second television spot of our campaign which highlights an important issue to all Arizonan(s): securing our border and ending illegal immigration.
My opponent likes to talk tough about immigration, but the truth is he and those in Washington have failed in their responsibility to secure our border.
The number of illegal immigrants in our state has increased 400% during his tenure in Congress. My opponent has rewarded illegal immigration by voting for amnesty four times.
Just last month, he voted against 12,000 additional Border Patrol agents and against implementing the border security recommendations of the bi-partisan 9/11 Commission. In his 12 years in Congress, J.D. has given us a lot of rhetoric, but not a lot of results."
Now, after reading that, does it sound like J.D. Hayworth had problems because he was "too tough" on illegal immigration? No, it doesn't".
So did they vote him out because he was too tough on illegal immigration? Or not tough enough? Or did his opponent lie? You decide.
sw
He’s been show this same stuff for at least 4 years. Just beat your head on the desk, you’ll accomplish more and probably feel better.
Thanks."
No...what HAS brought us here today is the fielding of non-electable Republican candidates, who don't have a CHANCE of winning an election, regardless of how you wish they could.
If we don't field candidates that CAN GET ELECTED, you are wasting your time supporting them. Rally behind someone who CAN get elected, instead of bloviating about a non-contender who will result in yet ANOTHER Democrat winning an election.
Ronald Reagn also granted amnesty to illegals yet he is rightly considered one of our nations greatest presidents.
You got it right on the money, AuntB. Ooh-Rah !
A stampede of MILLIONS more across the border so they can be here when the legislation goes into effect.
Strangely, while Gov. of MA, Romney NEVER spoke a word about illegal immigration in his state.
Baloney! Cut off the free medical care, schooling, and such. And, don't give them licenses. Watch them trickle back over the border when the free ride runs out. Maybe we can get a few liberals to follow.
Yeah, the President also said this is about “treating people with respect.” Respect? RESPECT?!?! What the hell is he talking about? We have millions of people of here who have NO respect at all for OUR laws, OUR borders, or OUR country and we are supposed to RESPECT THAT??? Their very first act on OUR soil was to break our laws and now we need to treat them with respect???
I am sorry, but this is all so absurd! Is there another country on the face of the Earth that has policians that are this braindead?
I am at a point of nearly being beyond words to express my anger, frustration, and sheer disbelief at what is actually happening right now!
And now those "traitors" are hell-bent on doing something... even if it's absolutely wrong!!! (and they know it's stupid, as well)
“the simple fact that it is impossible to deport 12 million immigrants.”
That would be ILLEGAL immigrants.
Take away the incentive to be here and guess what? They leave on their own.
New tagline...
Ridiculous hogwash.
The Republicans have held the White House, the House and the Senate for most of this decade. It was "electable" Republicans who were weak on spending, weak on illegal immigration, weak on tax reform, weak on moving forward with the promises they made to get elected that lost their control in the House and Senate and helped to bring us this bipartisan amnesty today.
This foolishness about "electibility" is why the party is falling apart - we settle for candidates who settle for weakness and compromise.
I'll vote for the unelectable candidates with principles over the weak every time. The principled Republicans - Tancredo, King, Coburn, Linder - win their elections when the Country Club establishment doesn't step in their way and sabatoge them for the likes of Specter and Isakson in the primaries.
I'm sick of being lectured by County Club Republicans who love their big government about "electibility."
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