Posted on 05/19/2007 11:07:43 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush on Saturday acknowledged lawmakers' doubts about a U.S. immigration proposal, but argued it will help resolve the status of 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States.
With the proposal taking fire from both Republicans and Democrats, the Senate is expected to begin debate on immigration next week.
Bush used his weekly radio address to open what is likely to be an intense effort to persuade Americans to support the plan as the answer to long-simmering U.S. immigration problems.
"It will help us resolve the status of millions of illegal immigrants who are here already, without animosity and without amnesty," said Bush, who is spending the weekend at his Texas ranch.
The president, in need of a victory to brighten a second term dominated by the chaos in Iraq, wants to resolve the immigration battle before it gets swept up by the presidential campaign to replace him in 2008.
The immigration deal was reached on Thursday between U.S. senators and backed by both Bush and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record) of Nevada.
The legislation will have to navigate some perilous shoals if it is to become law.
Conservative Republicans fear it would lead to an amnesty for illegal immigrants who they say are already weighing heavily on America's social fabric.
At the same time, many Democrats think the elements of the worker program are too tough on immigrants. Labor unions fear the deal will drive down wages.
STRONG WORDS IN NEGOTIATING ROOM
"I realize that many hold strong convictions on this issue, and reaching an agreement was not easy," Bush said.
The Washington Post reported on Saturday that Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) got into a shouting match with Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn (news, bio, voting record) in the final negotiations that led to the deal.
The Post, citing several unnamed Republican and Democratic sources, said words were exchanged when Cornyn voiced concerns about the number of judicial appeals that illegal immigrants could receive, and that it got really heated when Cornyn accused McCain of being too busy running for president to take part in the immigration negotiations.
"Wait a second here," Cornyn said to McCain, according to The Post. "I've been sitting in here for all of these negotiations and you just parachute in here on the last day. You're out of line."
McCain was said to have used an expletive and shouted at Cornyn, "I know more about this than anyone else in the room."
McCain's presidential campaign spokesman Brian Jones denied his boss claimed to know more about the bill, but acknowledged to the Post that "there was a spirited exchange" amid the tense negotiations.
The Republican president sought to reassure conservatives who stymied an immigration push last year by fighting for tougher border security measures.
He said the immigration proposal would require that strong border security and enforcement benchmarks - such as doubling the number of Border Patrol agents on the U.S.-Mexico border -- are met before the temporary worker program and other pieces of the legislation would be implemented.
In another move aimed at conservatives, the White House circulated a "Myth/Fact" document seeking to answer critics who contend the agreement amounts to a reward for the thousands who sneaked into the United States.
Have the John Birchers been correct all along?
Bush has surpassed Carter. Carter just sold us out on the Canal. As you say, Bush is selling out the country. And not just on amnesty for illegals - there is also his attempt to resurrect the Law of the Sea treaty.
excellent post!
If some lawmakers and US citizens have concerns, maybe this might have something to do with it.
Bush Removes Provision Requiring Back taxes From Illegal Immigrants
No doubt, that raises concerns.
Perhaps Bush could gather support if he allowed us to pay $5000 and then get a refund of all the taxes we paid in the last five years.
By "resolve their status" he means, "Put their problems behind them." The rest of us don't need their status resolved, we know what it is: Illegal.
If he thought his approval numbers were bad before, just wait until they start reflecting HIS amnesty/sellout. Single digits may actually be possible.
So lets see. You can’t enforce the existing laws, but you’ll be able to enforce the new and improved ones, right? Face it, there is no will to enforce ANY laws when it comes to illegal. Until that changes, anyone selling reform can eat my shorts.
“Tell me why CONgress & this man can even have 20% approval - Ill go with
6% for both - thats their family voting for them.”
We hear all sorts of numbers quoted about illegals residing in the USA (10 million,
12 million, 20 million, etc.)...maybe the poll reflects the real presence
of illegals, Kool-Aid Democrats and Perfidious Republicans that actually
fervently support this national surrender bill.
“Does he not know about the gangs, costs just everything? What is his problem?”
I honestly believe that many of our elitist rulers have never even seen the problems that are a facts to many of us in the real world.
They simply lead lives that are totally removed from day to day reality.
They really DON’T know, and they don’t care.
The words of traitors (American Meat Institute):
"Though no one wants to reward illegal behavior, we must find a way for these workers to come forward, make good on the past and participate in a program that leads to permanent residency and eventual citizenship."
http://www.meatami.com/1CQImmigrationAd030206.pdf
The Rogues Gallery Of Signatories To The Above Statement:
Acknowledges = “Tells them to go f themselves”
I've been an ardent Dubya supporter. As my friends and relatives have deserted him, I have steadfastly argued for him. But no more. With his amnesty bill, Dubya has lost me forever. He is not our friend.
They say follow the money. Well, it's more than a little obvious that Dubya only cares about his supporters who benefit from the cheap labor that illegal immigration provides. Regardless of what Dubya says, he could care less about the illegal immigrants.
Now, I'm wondering just what else he's lied about. Friends, we've been duped.
If Jeb hoped to have a political future, his hopes have been dashed. I have voted for every Bush, but I would never vote for a Bush again for anything.
He can’t do that, they need those taxes to support the invaders and their American born children.
CALL! CALL! CALL! CALL! AND KEEP CALLING TILL THE LINES FRY!
WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! TILL YOU RUN OUT OF INK IN YOUR PEN!
Bush doesn’t care about what YOU think or WANT!
That is painfully OBVIOUS.
Poll after poll states they don’t want dressed up amnesty. SO what does BUSH do - push for dressed up amnesty and REFUSES to SECURE the borders as they beat this thing to death. BUSH wants as many ILLEGALS in the U.S. as possible, hence the LACK OF SECURITY on the border. The longer they debate this, the MORE ILLEGALS CROSS OUR OPEN BORDER.
“BS! There’s nothing to resolve! They’re illegal! He said it himself. Now deport them, all of them!”
YES (I’m SHOUTING THIS!)
Make it UNPORFITABLE for employers to HIRE them.
Make it ILLEGAL for an ILLEGAL to RENT or OWN property or have ILLEGAL kids in SCHOOL if ONE or BOTH of the PARENTS ARE ILLEGAL. If the KIDS are born here then let them FILE for citizenship along with the “hardworking” parents.
DEPORT THEM ALL - even those in prison. There is NO REASON NOT TO - THEY ARE ILLEGAL - breaking our laws, not paying taxes, and having LEGAL citizens SUBSIZE them through OUR hard earned dollars via taxes.
I’m PISSED AT BUSH trying to ram this down our throats.
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