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.
Billions for illegals to colonize our country ... but no windmills for Cape Cod to compromise Ted’s view of Nantucket Sound.
“It’s third party time for me if this goes through. Not that it will matter, with the millions and millions of new Democrats that amnesty will provide.”
I don’t think it’s sunk in yet how done we are. For the first time in my life, I’m actually wondering if living in America is the best thing.
If, and only if, the Repblicans choose a candidate that is not bought and paid for by the U. S. Chambers of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), et al, most true conservatives will NOT be voting Republican come '08 and in fact, many of us will rise up against our local elected officials and support opposing candidates in their Primaries.
Hopefully, other irate citizens around the country will also go after the elected dims in their areas.
I have wholeheartedly supported his WOT...
..I have been so very thankful for his support of LIFE
BUT I am beyond words or emotions with this latest news...
THIS IS SO UNFAIR!!!!............SO UNFAIR!!!!
It's just WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! and no amount of words can make it right!
PLEASE SOMEONE TELL ME WHY THIS HAS HAPPENED????f
I can't get the images of the illegals thumbing their noses on camera and demanding this and that....
What is happening to our country.....?
WHY is Bush doing this????
I am one who plays by the rules....
..We taught our children to respect authority....to play by the rules.
Why does my hardworking husband and all of you hardworking people HAVE TO PAY FOR ILLEGALS....FOR ALL OF THEIR FREEBIES....ALL OF THE THINGS THEY WILL NOW DEMAND????
Kennedy, Specter, McCain, Graham, and the others are exceedingly biased against Asians.
I have come to the conclusion that given this Congress and the present political climate, doing nothing is the best alternative.
I agree with Mr. Limbaugh. I just don't see any way that this amnesty will help net us any votes in 2008.
I hope that Representative Hunter will explicitly campaign against passage of this amnesty.
This is bigger than 2008. It is bigger than the Republican Party. This is about what kind of America we will have. The hell with the stupid politics. It’s about whether there will still be an America that we can recognize.
The globalists will make sure that there is nowhere to run. Yes, the U.S. is heading down the crapper, but everywhere else is worse.
Bush is doing this because he’s been bought. Hard to believe a guy who can lay his hands on most of a billion dollars would sell out so easy.
Call your Congressman and tell them NOT to support this.
If they hear from enough of us MAYBE it will help.
Take a few minutes and see.
I also think this generation of Republicans have no teeth and are a bunch of wimps. They will be the reason why America turns into a police state for working, Christian, heterosexual, parents. They are not fighting for America, they are watching America get high-jacked by leftist radicals who do not represent the majority of America and are doing NOTHING about it.
Get ready to say, Madam President.
They're as much American as Benedict Arnold. Blackbird.
What do you mean, "IF?" He's already been quoted as being thrilled with it. It's what he's always wanted, the elimination of those pesky borders.
The total sellout of my country is now almost complete. Unfreakingbelieveable.
Call the Whitehouse comment line and leave a message for Bush on what a traitor to Americans he is.
This was a compromise between the Senate and the Whitehouse.
Comments: 202-456-1111
IT’s WHAT?
I finally have something the Dems and I agree on - it’s time to bring the troops home.
It is asinine to have Americans dying in Iraq when we have just given away America and all it stands for to an illegal alien horde and a profiteering political elite.
Bring the troops home, and let them at least enjoy the last few days of a dying nation. Their final insult will be a few years down the road when an illegal alien culture schooled in the corruption and socialism of Latin America replaces Memorial and Veterans Days with hispanic festivals like Cinco de Mayo and Bolivar Day. Can’t wait to see future President Villagarossa welcoming President Chavez.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.