Posted on 06/06/2007 5:06:45 AM PDT by IrishMike
WASHINGTON, June 5 — The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, said Tuesday that he would try to force an end to debate on a comprehensive immigration bill, leaving the fate of the legislation in question.
Mr. Reid, Democrat of Nevada, said the Senate would vote Thursday on whether to limit debate, a process that requires 60 votes to succeed. He said he would pull the bill if he failed to get the necessary votes.
The majority leader said he wanted to complete work on the legislation this week, and he suggested that Republicans were trying to “stall this bill” with amendments. “People are looking for excuses on the Republican side to kill this bill,” he said.
His announcement provoked an outcry from Republican supporters and opponents of the bill, who said the Senate needed more time.
Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, the chief Republican architect of the bill, said “it would be a big mistake” to try to invoke cloture this week.
A motion to cut off debate would be “an extreme act of bad faith,” Mr. Kyl said, and he asserted on Tuesday afternoon that “we are not anywhere near finishing this bill.”
The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said, “The overwhelming majority of our conference would insist on having additional days to make sure that all of our important amendments have been given an opportunity to be considered.”
Even Senator Mel Martinez, Republican of Florida, a strong supporter of the bill, said, “I would not support cloture at this point because I don’t think that enough of our members have had an opportunity to have their amendments heard.”
Behind the scenes, senators were trying to work out agreements on what amendments to consider, so the legislation would not fail on a motion to limit debate.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Term limits for congress members and the senate ARE the answer. The founding father never intended for people to become permanent career fixtures in Washington. What we now have is a collection of 2nd and 3rd stringers on both sides of the isle. The men and women serving with character are long gone and their voids are filled with too many street hustling political hucksters
My few dollars are on the bill sinking.
‘My few dollars are on the bill sinking.’
I’m more confident that will be the result than I was a week ago, thats for sure.
We’ll see.
This bill may be in trouble in the Senate. Don’t get too excited. Getting rid of this bill in the Senate now would be pure politics by the Democrats, they love this bill. I am sure, particularly seeing the way the American people are opposed to it, they want to end up making sure this bill is tacked on to the feet of Republicans.
Thats why Czar Nancy wants a clear Republican number, more than needed, to pass it in the House.
Once again, stoopid Republicans, because of GWB, are going to go down in flames.
Is this bill going to go away? Hell no, getting rid of it would be harder than whacking a mole with a pitchfork.
It will be back, there are those already treating it as a done deal.
So hang your hat on that "extreme act of bad faith" and let him kill it. Then set it aflame on the capitol steps.
Want to get sick at your stomach? Visit these sites and tell me if this isn’t already considered a “done deal”:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060331-1.html
or worse yet:
Vote for Hunter. He’s about the only guy serious about curbing this nonsense.
Which candidate last night asked Wolf Blitzer “If the war is going WELL in September, will you report that?” Blitzer didn’t know what to say!
Was it "Green Eggs & Ham" or "Cat in the Hat"?
Amendments are what will make this a good bill. There are *some* good things in the bill, but it needs amending to get rid of the deal-killers, such as instant legal status for 12 million illegals.
Beef up the border - yes.
Increase penalties on employers of illegals - yes.
A z-visa program for those wanting to work here - ok (how is this different from H1B?)
Elimination of including extended families - yes.
Instant legal status - no.
Path to citizenship for illegals - HELL no.
The only path to legal status is to leave and get in the legal immigration line. And if we can determine that you had been here illegally, no citizenship, period. And get rid of the achor babies law.
>>A z-visa program for those wanting to work here - ok (how is this different from H1B?)<<
The Z-visa program is the one that instantly legalizes the 12-20 million illegals.
I just hope our next President will do the right thing and not be hung up by big business and government.
The bill increases H1B visas from 65,000 to 115,000 a year and eventually up to 180,000.
LOL....I must confess I am still a registered Rep‘Rat....but we are both Pro USA, aren’t we?
Yup. And some issues transcend party.
Has anyone gotten a committment from Burr of NC that he will vote no? Dole’s office says she is voting NO, but she’s up for reelection so what else could one expect? Burr’s office has told me he is studying the bill.
Lost count. Have you called the Nat. Rep. Senate Comm? How about your reprsentatives? How about the state party? There are many ways to skin this cat. The Senators aren’t the only way.
Why don’t you contact those you want to, and I’ll take care of my own business, okay?
So you haven’t contacted as many as you claim. Thought so.
The funny thing about this bill is that it has not only jeopardized RINO Republicans like Limply grahamCRACKER, Spector and McCaniac but also Democrats from Blue Dog Democrat States.
Simply folks this is not a one party screw up but in military terms a SNAFU big time for both Republicans and Democrats.
I predict that fall out from this crappy legislation will haunt Shamnesty supporters for many elections to come.
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