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.
“it’s about who gets the benefit of the men who died in all those wars, the benefit of all the great people who have come before us in order that we could maintain the culture, traditions, rights, liberties and morals of this nation.”
My family has lost 2 members fighting wars for America. These cretins merely jump a fence, and have more rights than my dead family members ever had!!!!
That may be why Brownback is fighting to get out of 1 percent in the presidential polls — no conservative could trust his overall judgment. He’s really no better than Dole was in that seat.
Bush Swallows.
What? The best and the brightest criminals?
The gal at Boxer’s office was nice to me, the guy at Feinstein’s was a piece of work though. I also called the Whitehouse and told them how disgusted I am with the whole lot of them, especially their ‘back-door deals’.
Jim Talent (R-MO) should be replaced by Claire McCaskill (D-MO). If Claire voted against it, she deserves way more credit than I gave her. Jim Talent (our dear conservative friend) is currently working on Mitt Romney’s campaign.
Post of the day.
Paging Congress....
Don’t forget bedbugs. That problem may be related to illegals also.
I agree, calling Congressman Hunter...........STOP THIS bill in the House PLEASE!!
Seems a bit too lenient. Personal opinion (not as though many freepers would disagree....).
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and the far left run the House of Representatives. I very much doubt that we can stop it there.
Actually, Coleman is independent — an independent liberal. He is not backing this because of GWB but because of himself and his “caring” and “reaching out” mentality. People of MN can’t figure it out.
They upped the H1B (smart immigrants) by a couple thousand and are all happy. Yet open the door for all the grade school dropouts in North America.
This whole manuever is about creating a new working class, and to drive wages downward or keep them where they are at....
They will be coming from any and everywhere, not simply mexico.
Nope can't do that, Mexico actually has very tough immigration laws that they enforce, unlike us saps. Oh the irony of it all.
Wasn’t Benedict Arnold under the “spell” of a witch-like wife, or was he his own man? At one time, he was a real hero, but maybe he looked 200 years into the future, and said, “It’s not worth the bother.”
I didn't agree with you, but you argued persuasively.
Do you understand how angry everyone is feeling and why we're reacting so passionately?
Do you understand this?
My local congressman wanted my address. Hope I don’t get a drive by.
We have to keep after the House. Nancy is just one vote. I saw a list on how they voted, but now cannot find it.
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