Posted on 06/11/2007 8:32:49 PM PDT by indcons
US President George W. Bush was confident Monday that the most sweeping overhaul of US immigration laws in two decades will ultimately clear Congress once he gets home from his European tour.
Speaking in Bulgaria's capital Sofia, Bush acknowledged disappointment that the legislation -- aimed at bringing 12 million illegal immigrants out of the shadows -- collapsed Thursday in the Democratic-controlled Congress.
"Listen, the immigration debate is a tough debate. I'm under no illusions about how hard it is," he told a news conference.
"There are people in my (Republican) party that don't want a comprehensive bill. There are people in the Democrat Party that don't seem to want a comprehensive bill."
But he said that he would, upon his return to Washington, get in touch with leading Democrats and Republicans who do support the legislation to get it firmly back on track.
"I'll be going to the Senate to talk about a way forward on the piece of legislation," he said.
"I'm going to work with those who are focused on getting an immigration bill done and start taking some steps forward again. I believe we can get it done. I'll see you at the bill signing."
Harry Reid, the Democratic leader of the Senate, withdrew the bill Thursday after senators, seeking to add amendments, voted twice within nine hours not to move it towards a final vote as he had demanded.
Billed as a "grand bargain," the proposed law would grant a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants, establishing a merit-based points system for future immigrants, and create a low-wage temporary worker program.
It also envisions a border security crackdown, punishment for employers who hire illegal immigrants and an attempt to wipe out a backlog of visa applications from those who have gone through legal channels.
Bush, who has made immigration reform a top priority of his second presidential term, is due to attend a Senate Republican policy lunch on Tuesday following his trip to Europe.
This damned bill is like a zombie from Night of the Living Dead. Someone, kill the abomination once and for all.
And i’m confident that when all is said and done Bush will have an approval ratings in the teens.
Bush, we told you loudly...no.
The President’s oath is to enforce the laws, not press the Congress for new ones. He is way out of line.
The bill has been bought and paid for by industry that wants its supply of cheap labor guaranteed. The initial appearances that it’s dead are just for show. It’s very much alive, and it will pass no matter how many calls are made. The one that passes will be slightly different.
His low approval ratings will mean totally nothing to him.
...a pox upon your whitehouse oh foolish one.....
Optimist.
So do we storm the halls?
He doesn’t care what his ratings are, neither the democrats he’s working with...The supporters of the bill would take low ratings to get it passed...And....If they don’t get it passed it could be authorized somehow through 9/11 powers for security or economy reasons...
“And i’m confident that when all is said and done Bush will have an approval ratings in the teens.”
yep
The politicians who support this bill are thralls of the businesses that use illegal labor. These businesses want to pass part of the cost of doing business on to the American taxpayer (in the form of health care, education, food stamps, etc). It’s a huge corruption of our government, a corruption of those we put into a position to protect our interests. They’re refusing to fulfill the oaths of their offices.
We need to throw these criminals over the side.
There, how about some real accuracy in reporting?
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YESY YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES 7YES .......
Has George W. got some of Paris Hilton’s stash? He seems out of touch with reality!
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