Immigration Measure Appears Imperiled Again

Washington Post ^ | 6/28/07 | William Branigin and Jonathan Weisman

[freespirited]

The Senate yesterday turned back a series of amendments from both parties aimed at substantially altering controversial immigration legislation, but the bill shed supporters as it became mired in procedural hurdles that left backers concerned about its prospects.

The legislation faces a make-or-break vote this morning when senators will decide whether to cut off debate and move to a final vote tomorrow. If it does not get the 60 votes necessary, Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) has said he will pull the bill, all but dashing hopes for any meaningful legislation this year.

Top legislative aides in both parties predicted today's vote would be very close but would fall short of keeping the proposal alive.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), a key opponent, crowed last night that "they tried to railroad this through today, but we derailed the train." Another opponent, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said, "I would say to my colleagues: Let's end this thing."

Key Democrats who were on the fence also raised questions. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) said the failure of his amendment to bolster family reunification visas "makes it more difficult to vote in favor" of ending debate. The reunification provision was voted down 55 to 40.

Last night's stall came after a day that had left the bill's proponents optimistic. The defeat of provisions intended to toughen the bill or soften its restrictions suggested that the core of the "grand bargain" was holding in the Senate's second attempt to pass an immigration bill supported by the White House.

[freespirited]

Keep up the pressure. We're almost there.

[cubreporter]

AMEN! Especially after that arrogant jerk voinovich was on Sean Hannity today. Man, he proved he didn’t know anything about anything.

[rbg81]

Unfortunately, it will be back. There is no way that Teddy the K will let such a great opportunity to destroy America slip though his fingers. It’ll be like Chapaquidick alll over again.

[sonic109]

I been writing all day . All call were met with “ we cant take your call righ tnow” . These bastrads forget they work for US not themselves. I say we clean house BIG TIME .Dems and Republicans alike . I wouldn’y give you a dime for the lot of them anymore. NO ONE REPRESENTS ME ANYMORE .

[Cacique]

STOP AMNESTY NOW!! WE CAN DO IT!!

[ruination]

Many of the fax lines are now open, so keep pounding!

[truthkeeper]

I’m LOVING these headlines tonight!

[JoanneSD]

This family reunification is a joke.. a lot of these illegals have kids in other countries, and have another family or two going on in this country...family loyalty does not stop at the rio grande, the baby batter keeps mixing once it gets here..

[truthkeeper]

These bastrads forget they work for US not themselves. I say we clean house BIG TIME .

Rest assured this treachery will NOT be forgotten next year. That is going to be some election!

[Shermy]

""The overall bill would create a path to U.S. citizenship for the nation's 12 million illegal immigrants and establish a new guest-worker program that would allow hundreds of thousands more to enter the country to take jobs that President Bush says Americans do not want.

That's an twist that's interesting...and accurate.

[WOSG]

“grand bargain” - what a pathetic media mis-label.

This was a disgusting backroom backdoor sham-deal. There is nothing ‘grand’ about it, unless you are describing the massiveness of the sellout that this Z visa amnesty entailed - $2.5 trillion cost over 30 years, 20+ million to be given amnesty, etc.

If and when this fails, we will have to get up and demand those pieces of the bill that are worth something ... “GIVE US THE ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS!”

[blam]

"Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), a key opponent, crowed last night that "they tried to railroad this through today, but we derailed the train." Another opponent, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said, "I would say to my colleagues: Let's end this thing."

If we beat this thing...we owe big 'thank you's' to these guys.

[caphillbabe]

Here is a list of the key staff contacts of the “Amnesty 8” Senators (plus Domenici) that are most likely to be persuaded to vote no on Thursday and derail amnesty. Many offices are putting calls straight to voicemail and they can just trash faxes (and letters take weeks to get through due to security). Hit Hill staff where they are so codependent - their Blackberries! Send email directly to staff - not just the generic Senate office mailbox. Contact their Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, and Press Secretary. Make your voice heard!!

For the Democrats, I would strongly suggest taking a pro-union/anti-illegal alien stance (i.e. “they are taking our jobs”) rather than using the conservative national security angle.

Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE)
Chief of Staff
tim_becker@bennelson.senate.gov

Legislative Director
christiana_gallagher@bennelson.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
david_dimartino@bennelson.senate.gov

Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR)
Chief of Staff
bob_russell@pryor.senate.gov

Legislative Director
andy_york@pryor.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
michael_teague@pryor.senate.gov
lisa_ackerman@pryor.senate.gov

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA)
Chief of Staff
paul_reagan@webb.senate.gov

Legislative Director
mike_sozan@webb.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
jessica_smith@webb.senate.gov

Senator Kit Bond (R-MO)
Chief of Staff
brian_klippenstein@bond.senate.gov

Legislative Director
kara_smith@bond.senate.gov

Communications Director
shana_marchio@bond.senate.gov

Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS)
Chief of Staff
glen_chambers@brownback.senate.gov

Domestic Policy Advisor
brian_robertson@brownback.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
john_rankin@brownback.senate.gov
brian_hart@brownback.senate.gov

Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)
Chief of Staff
alicia_peterson-clark@burr.senate.gov
alicia_peterson-petersonclark@burr.senate.gov

Legislative Director
natasha_hickman@burr.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
laura_caudell@burr.senate.gov
mark_williams@burr.senate.gov

Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN)
Chief of Staff
jennifer_lowe@coleman.senate.gov

Deputy Chief of Staff
lucia_lebens@coleman.senate.gov

Legislative Director
lorianne_moss@coleman.senate.gov

Communications Director
tom_steward@coleman.senate.gov
tom_stewart@coleman.senate.gov

Press Secretary
leroy_coleman@coleman.senate.gov

Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM)
Chief of Staff
steve_bell@domenici.senate.gov

Legislative Director
edward_hild@domenici.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
chris_gallegos@domenici.senate.gov

Immigration LA
tara_shaw@domenici.senate.gov

Senator John Ensign (R-NV)
Chief of Staff
john_lopez@ensign.senate.gov

Legislative Director
pam_thiessen@ensign.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
tory_mazzola@ensign.senate.gov
jack_finn@ensign.senate.gov
don_tatro@ensign.senate.gov

[wgflyer]

“Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) has said he will pull the bill, all but dashing hopes for any meaningful legislation this year.”

Meaningful Legislation? Are they kidding?

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

KILL IT BONZO!!!

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), a key opponent, crowed last night that "they tried to railroad this through today, but we derailed the train."

Crowed? Sounds like sour grapes from the Washington Post. It'll be more like a sigh of relief if this beast does meet its permanent demise.

[elizabetty]

The Senate and President's attempt to impale us is imperil? Excellent.

[skinkinthegrass]

The Senate and President's attempt to impale us is imperil? Excellent.....BUMP. :D

[Bobibutu]

A stake ... a stake ... my kingdom for a stake ... and a couple of silver bullets would be welcomed with a device to fire them ...

Lordy!

[nicmarlo]

The legislation faces a make-or-break vote this morning when senators will decide whether to cut off debate and move to a final vote tomorrow. If it does not get the 60 votes necessary, Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) has said he will pull the bill,

PING!