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.
When we capture Bin Laden or Al Zawahiri you cowards will go back hiding in your cave because you will not dare utter those words against President Bush.
Your are right!!!! The SOB went along with it, I just called his office. I asked her to please take my name, number and address and let it be known that he should never communitcate with me again because of his support of this, THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I WILL EVER SUPPORT HIM!!!!!!
“And the Democrats are going to do any better?”
No, but we EXPECT THEM to be traitorous, scum sucking bastards!
Not the Repubs.
They just want to get this issue over with and behind them but little do they know it’s just beginning. Running Fred Thompson or anyone else isn’t going to excite a fruit fly let alone a base that is being betrayed.
CWII Ping!
An thus the united States of America is being sold out by those that claim to love her. May they rot before they die.
I see the end of my great nation, the shining star in a morass of mediocre to outright scum countries.
Everything wasted.
All the sacrifice, the sweat, the effort, the death, the commitment, all of it.
Gone.
Bastards.
Dunno.. were you counting the numbers of FReepers you've bored to tears with your silly insults?
Remember, Mahmoud the Terrorist can get into this country via Mexico by masquerading as Jose the Illegal Alien and get amnesty, either this year or when the next amnesty rolls around.
Senator Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., seated, and others, takes part in a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 17, 2007, to discuss immigration reform legislation. Standing, from left are, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
I agree.
Fred Thompson supports a deal on amnesty for illegal aliens already here and has voted accordingly in the past. Are you looking for more pro-illegal alien third parties?
The democrats are going to hang this around the republicans head like they did with the “Read my lips” tax increase they passed.
And they figure correctly. In a few months, this will be made out as something minuscule, and completely inconsequential in comparison to “the greatest threat this nation has ever faced”. The rear and the flank apparently don’t matter. Says a lot about what the real theme is, and what it is not.
“We are back to Rome in the 4th century with barbarians streaming across the borders unchecked. If you are under 30 you will live to see America on par with Brazil.”
Good Point! But this is worse than Rome. At least the Roman leadership didn’t let the Huns, Goths, and Vandals invade on purpose.
You got that right!
wonderful, I will print this out and send it to the RNC the next time they ask for money. No more from me.
There may be some wacko trolls doing some of it too. The libs like to infiltrate FR with their nastiness to split us several ways. Some will never be smart enough to understand that.
Get ready for it! The seismometers are going to be able to pick it up.
I read as this as all Americans will have to present "Real-ID" in order to even get a job here in the U.S.
Or, to frame this in the appropriate tradition, I just expect to hear "Your papers, please."
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