Immigration Bill Suffers Stunning Defeat

NewsMax ^ | June 8, 2007

[2ndDivisionVet]

A broad immigration bill to legalize millions of people in the U.S. unlawfully failed a crucial test vote in the Senate Thursday, a stunning setback that could spell its defeat for the year.

The vote was 45-50 against limiting debate on the bill, 15 short of the 60 that the bill's supporters needed to prevail. Most Republicans voted to block Democrats' efforts to bring the bill to a final vote.

The legislation, which had been endorsed by President Bush, would tighten borders, institute a new system to prevent employers from hiring undocumented workers in addition to giving up to 12 million illegal immigrants a pathway to legal status.

Conceived by an improbable coalition that nicknamed the deal a "grand bargain," the measure exposed deep rifts within both parties and is loathed by most GOP conservatives.

Senate Majority Harry Reid, D-Nev., who had made no secret of his distaste for parts of the bill, said earlier he would move on to other matters if the immigration measure's supporters didn't get 60 votes Thursday night.

The defeat set off a bitter round of partisan recriminations, with Democrats and Republicans each accusing the other of killing it.

Most Republicans voted against ending debate, saying they needed more time to make the bill tougher with tighter border security measures and a more arduous legalization process for unlawful immigrants.

All but a handful of Democrats supported the move, but they, too, were holding their noses at provisions of the bill. Many of them argued it makes second-class citizens of a new crop of temporary workers and rips apart families by prioritizing employability over blood ties in future immigration.

Still, they had argued that the measure, on balance, was worth advancing.

"We can all find different aspects of this legislation that we differ with," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, the leading Democratic architect of the bill.

Reid, who had made no secret of his distaste for parts of the bill, quickly pulled it from the floor and moved on to other business, costing the measure perhaps its best chance at enactment.

He insisted that the immigration bill is not dead for the year. "I, even though disappointed, look forward to passing this bill," Reid said.

[blasater1960]

"This is not over yet"....

Not by a long shot. They wont give up that easy. PLUS, dont forget that while they are here illegally, they are popping out legal anchor babies like crazy. So, the 20-30 million here today 60, 80, 100 million tomorrow.

[roses of sharon]

So Harry and Nancy won’t get their voters after all?

Or maybe they already do vote!

[Halcontent]

We need to get the Senate away from this Bush idea of a “comprehensive bill” and onto the right track of eating this elephant one bite at a time!
STEP 1) SECURE OUR BORDERS
“WHERE’S THE FENCE?”!!!!!!

STEP 2) WHILE BUILDING THE FENCE, TURN THE DOGS LOOSE ON ALL EMPLOYERS OF
ILLEGALS!!
START WITH THE BIGGER ONES AND HIT THEM WITH MASSIVE FINES & JAIL
TIME!!!!
STEP 3) HAVE 287(G) TRAINING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY SO LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT CAN START ROUNDING UP ILLEGALS & TURNING THEM OVER
FOR DEPORTATION. PUT JOE ARPAIO IN CHARGE OF THIS.

STEP 4) WHILE 1, 2 AND 3 ARE TAKING PLACE, LET ALL PEOPLE HEADED SOUTH CROSS
THE BORDER WITH NO INTERFERENCE.

[Peacekeeper357]

Did anyone get a list of those voting for,against or not present on this bill????

[potlatch]

Yes, this was very good news today! They finally heard the ‘roar of the crowd’. I wonder if the President did, or if he cares?

He certainly was ‘tone deaf’ before!

[umgud]

I’m reading comments on the demise of this bill over at DU. It’s almost exactly like reading FR threads on this. They’re screeming for border control, fining employers, etc.

Seems nobody outside the beltway likes this bill.

[donnab]

its not over yet ...and it wont be over until the border is sealed, the illegals prohibited from collecting assistance, and i no longer have to push one for english!!!!!
this part we can all do...i for one will no longer shop at Lowes...i will NOT step inside their store as long as entrada is on the door!!! we all need to step it up a little more and let these businesses know what country they operate in. if they want spanish..they can all go to mexico.

[Travis McGee]

I hope that strong conservatives run against all of the RINO traitors who supported this sellout of the USA.

The soundbites provided by Lott, Graham etc will be very effective in primary campaign ads.

[Rudder]

Keep your eyes down the road. Watch for this bill to be included in a military expediture or something, like the online gambling ban was to the port security bill.

You know, there's something clearly missing from this whole conflagration. That is the supporters for this comprehensive amnesty are pretty much laying low (hiding) with their reasons for such advocacy. The most articulate spokesman for amnesty is Bush of all people: 'Jobs Americans won't do.' 'We can't deport 12 million immigrants, it wouldn't be practical'

Aside from the racist rants of how we conservatives are xenophobic and hate Mexicans, I've not heard any compelling and detailed arguments from our opposition---have you?

[kenth]

Ha! Looks like the hive was sent it’s collective talking points. This looks to be the new argument; all opposed to this bill are actually the ones for amnesty, etc.

[LimaLimaMikeFoxtrot]

"we have won the battle, but the war goes on.."

Hey y'all. I'm fairly new here but I have to say I really think that FR and other sites had everything to do with motivating the American people to take action. If it weren't for FR I would not have had nearly as much info or as many great links like numbersusa.com. I sent a barrage of faxes from there and I burned up the phone lines of Corker and Lamar Alexander.

I'm just sayin thanks for all the great posts that have enlightened and motivated me.

[abigailsmybaby]

You’re absolutely right. We can take a bit of a breather but we’ll have to stay vigilant. They’ll bring it up again when they think we’re not watching.

[cookiedough]

If they put Joe Arpaio in charge, the illegals will probably beat feet for the border. Otherwise, they’ll come to Massachusetts (sigh).

[rurgan]

You’re absolutely right. We can take a bit of a breather but we’ll have to stay vigilant. They’ll bring it up again when they think we’re not watching.

I agree. We should keep pressing like the bill is still out there being debated. Liberals will try to pass this bill on a holiday like Labor Day, the 4th, or Christmas when we are all distracted. They are negotiating in back rooms now.

[abigailsmybaby]

I think that’s exactly what they’ll do.

I’m a member of numbersusa.com so I’ll get an email as soon as they suspect something is going on.

[doug from upland]

I sent Jeff a fax late last night and called this morning.

[HKMk23]

I’m reading comments on the demise of this bill over at DU. It’s almost exactly like reading FR threads on this.

YE GODS, MAN, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
If they find out that they actually agree with us on something this major, why, they might hack up their spleens! Their large intestines might shoot up through their necks and throttle their brains!

Not that any of that would change their general tone, but you get what I'm saying...

[George W. Bush]

The defeat set off a bitter round of partisan recriminations, with Democrats and Republicans each accusing the other of killing it.

Hahahahaha. Relish every second!

But Reid was certainly leaving the door open to trying it again later this year.

What will come next is all the pro-zamnesty employers will run ads to tell us that we'll all soon starve to death if we won't let Jose pick our lettuce. Oh, yeah, and his poor family will starve too because we're so mean that we're unwilling to continue the most insane border policies in recorded history.

Besides, we're all just bad horrible Americans if we actually expect the government to enforce its laws against illegals invading this country. And that whole Sacred Rule Of Law thing the politicians love to talk about, well, apparently we're exporting that (along with democracy) to Iraq.

After 4-5 months of this and lots of religious scolding by pontificating clergy (scofflaw liberal clergy) and assorted libmedia types in the sanctuary movement, they'll try to pass it again to the cheers of weasels like Fred Barnes and William Kristol.