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.
Don’t forget he got the fence built in CA, and got the bill passed for funding the building of the rest. Don’t underestimate what he can do on this. He has muscle and no qualms about using it.
The pretend conservative is selling us out?
But it is true that Reagan was duped on immigration as well as Sandra Day O’Connor and Anthony Kennedy. He didn’t always do his homework, as the Democrats charged.
At least this Bush didn’t say “Read my lips! No amnesty!”
Duncan Hunter!!!
At first I was just angry. But your post has me near tears. Because I know it’s true.
I certainly didn’t mean to cause that especially so close to a weekend. lol. I am hoping that this is just a test to see if people are going to go ballistic before the actual vote. See they decided to put this information out. See how people react and then put it towards a vote. My only hope is that a heck of a lot of people are freaking out and not just our FRiends on FREEPERS.
Let me fill you in on a little secret: most of them don't care that much.
The Democrats are the ones who crave power and control above everything. The Republicans by and large are greedy pigs who crave money above everything, even at the expense of some power.
I don’t think the Democrats want GWB impeached. They want him to keep failing and bleeding, and all they have to do is wait and win forty states again.
Work in a field requiring lots of education, and you will be fine.
This is upsetting, but it is hardly the end of the world being portrayed by many here.
What was the vote?
Same here. 1986 was a whole different ballgame than this in terms of the sheer numbers...
Think again. the way this reads, by the time the fence goes up the only thing it will accomplish is to keep us in
NO! LOL! That doesn't make the mental image any more palatable. I guess in a sick perverted sort of way, I should be thankful he doesn't spit that toxic waste out. Is there possibly anything we can speak of that could wipe that image from my mind? It's worse than a damn BeeGee song getting stuck in there....I'm turning on the radio....Blackbird.
oh geez, I better suck on a bullet
Sirhan Sirhan was an immigrant, welcomed to this country, who then settled his differences with Bobby Kennedy Palestinian-style.
I don’t think it will be that bad.
Like every previous immigrant group, they will learn English as well.
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