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.
Why did you ever believe Gov’t had you in mind when they vote on anything?
STop waisting your time believing in this Gov’t
Someone please call Jay or Howie CArr or Michael Graham...
TIME FOR A MARCH ON THE STREETS OF EVERY CITY. WE MUST.
free dixie,sw
Unless jveritas starts writing or linking to obscenities, I don't really think silencing him or her is a valid suggestion. If you don't like the arguments presented there is a simple solution. Ignore them. Move on. Go read some John Stuart Mill to understand why all views even those you don't agree with should be able to be presented and debated.
Unreal!
You're giving US advice and telling US to cool our passion, and you're not even a citizen here?
“Problem is, where do we go? Do we go to an already existing third party or create a new one? I think it might be easier to migrate to a third party, but which one?”
He already praised it TODAY!
“The Constitution Party looks pretty nice. Decent platform.”
I used to think they had some flaky people over there until I heard the likes of Ron Paul and Chuck Hagel speak...no one has the market cornered on flakiness.
Taking immigration off the issue table in the short run takes it out of the ‘08 elections. Conservatives will have a choice, vote or not.
Listen Spiff, you have been lying again and again and again about what I am saying so this is one more time so you can understand it if you remove the hate that is blinding your heart, mind, and soul:
Here is my solution for the illegal immigration problem which is very practical and very effective. 1. Greatly increase the border security to stop the flood of illegal immigrants.
2. Grant temporary working status for the illegal immigrants that need to be renewed every 2 years with a fine. The temporary workers must no have access to any welfare program and must no obtain US citizenship in any way, that will be the ultimate penalty they should pay for coming here illegally. May be the best they can obtain is a Permanent Residence status (Green Card) after they have been law abiding temporary workers for 10 years.
worthless bastards!
March on the fifty state capitals. That would send a powerful message, while cutting back on the logistical [mileage] problems with doing DC.
They come from the Federal Government's own statistics. I've seen those stats myself. In fact, I think I still have them on my hard drive.
Thank you Leni !!!! The post you were replying to was truly offensive but expected. Blackbird.
Who are you going to fight? It seems the only election choice will be once again to vote for the lesser of two bads.
I didn’t understand your comment. I hope it wasn’t sarcastic?
IF NOT NOW THEN WHEN....IS THERE ANY OTHER TIME MORE NEEDED THAN NOW.
OUR COUNTRY IS BEING TAKEN OVER.....CAN YOU HEAR ME!!!!
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?
THIS SATURDAY SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.
Whatever it is ... I am just glad people are making phone calls.
Well, it just might be that those posters are hard to refute, or that the site administrator agrees that this is an egregious turn of events. Just speculatin'.
That Franklin quote is 100% on-target, though. This gigantic mess would not exist were it not for our legislators allowing their "feelings" to dictate their actions. The Rule of Law, or even simple logic... it's all being eagerly thrown out the window by people with "passion" - for the power that comes from a virtual lock on national politics in this nation.
Just called Senator Cornyn’s office. Was told that because this is new and very long he is now taking a hard look at it but that he is definitely against AMNESTY. She logged our family’s angry opposition to it and was told that this was virtually the Republicans last stand.
We need a good old fashion Tea Party.
What would do it?
-marching in the streets?
-can’t keep our taxes back, they fixed that in WWII
-would a work stopage do it?
Think about it. If enough people just stopped working over this, that would hit the one group that is driving this, the US corps. I am open to ideas on how this could best work.
“If _this_ NEW amnesty goes through, how many _more_ will invade in the next 25 years?”
Don’t worry. I just saw an interview with Chertof and some other administration flunky assuring us that anybody who came over after the law went into effect need not bother because they would “never be eligible for legal status.” Trust me, I work for the government.
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