Posted on 06/23/2007 3:39:30 PM PDT by Baladas
Washington, D.C. (AHN)-President George Bush called on Congress to muster the "political courage" to pass an immigration overhaul that has foundered for weeks in the U.S. Senate.
"We have an obligation to solve problems that have been piling up for decades," President Bush said in his weekly radio address. "The status quo is unacceptable."
The proposed legislation, drafted by a small group of senators and White House negotiators, would create a guest worker program and a path to citizenship for an estimated 12 million immigrants in the United States illegally.
The proposal has been derided by opponents as an amnesty program. Among the sticking points is a provision that would allow illegal immigrants who entered the country before Jan. 1 to apply for Z visas, which would enable them to live and work in the United States legally.
Critics have also charged that the bill does not do enough to secure the nation's borders.
"I understand that many Americans have concerns about immigration reform - especially about the federal government's ability to secure the border," President Bush said. "So this bill puts the enforcement tools in place first."
On June 26, to move the bill forward, 60 senators will have to vote to resume debate on the politically contentious issue.
To attract the 15 additional votes needed to advance the bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has suggested that the Democratic and Republican caucuses would each be able to put forth 12 amendments.
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, speaking to Bloomberg Television on Friday, said Republican support of the proposal is waning, despite it being one of the President's top domestic priorities.
"We're beginning to see some of the people that would have ordinarily voted to proceed with the bill to say, `hey, this process is not fair, it's not transparent,''' Senator Cornyn said.
Among those Republicans who Senator Cornyn cited: Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson of Georgia.
I do think they need it from time to time.
Maybe he’s off the wagon?
Yeah, I’m kidding !!!
Ramirez is the best.
I don’t know about a law suit,but I’m thinking an article of impeachment might be do-able !!!
Thank God there's less than two years left of this nightmare of a presidency, though even that seems too much to bear.
Two reasons this bother me. One, the taxpayers are going to have to pay more in taxes to provide benefits, and two, the amount of benefits, especially the payout of social security for those who have contributed all their lives, when they become retirement eligible, will be less.
We have been hearing all these warnings for years from people like Bush, that the Social Security system has to be changed because it is going broke. How does adding all these people help shore up that system?
And another thing, after these people become legal residents, in 3 years these people can become US citizens. There are no restrictions on them bringing their relatives here to live as legal immigrants after that happens. Who is going to pay for them and the benefits they demand?
I really think Bush has lost his mind on this issue?
This clown is starting to make me miss President Clinton.
Come Sept - the funding for Iraq will be reconsidered and the President will need A LOT of support from the base for that. Some will support him because they support the war. But a big chunk of the base will be gone forever for this President - as he, essentially, spits in their face on immigration.
I was thinking earlier that “someone” could make some serious polical hay taking up this cause. Wondering why “someone” isn’t jumping on the bandwagon.
That's a really bad idea, cause it ain't gonna be there no matter what happens to this immigration bill.
Depending on your age, you probably have a better chance of being visited by aliens from outer space than you have of being able to live on your social security.
What's next? Calling the Senate a bunch of chickens and quadruple dog daring them to pass the amnesty bill?
More like follow me into the Red Sea!
I’ve never seen a person try so hard to unseat Jimmy Carter off the “Worst In History” throne. Even though it seems impossible, even for W, it’s the only thing he’s making an effort at nowadays.
“What’s next? Calling the Senate a bunch of chickens and quadruple dog daring them to pass the amnesty bill?”
Nothing would surprise me at this point!
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