Posted on 04/06/2006 8:33:43 AM PDT by STARWISE
WASHINGTON - In a last stab at compromise, Senate Republicans and Democrats reported progress Thursday toward agreement on legislation opening the way to legal status and eventual citizenship for many of the 11 million immigrants now in the U.S. illegally.
"There's been tremendous progress overnight," said Sen. Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record) of Nevada, the Democratic leader, while Majority Leader Bill Frist also expressed optimism that a long-sought compromise might be at hand.
There was no immediate reaction from President Bush, who has made immigration legislation a key priority.
The developments occurred after Frist unveiled a new bill late Wednesday night on the subject as the Senate headed into a test vote on the most sweeping immigration bill in two decades.
In general, the legislation would provide for enhanced border security, regulate the flow of future immigrants into the United States and settle the legal fate of the estimated 11 million men, women and children already in the country.
It was the fate of the illegal immigrant population that proved hardest to legislate, and it has left the Senate on the verge of gridlock for days.
(snip)
Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., as well as other key senators met before the vote to review terms of a proposed compromise.
In general, it would require illegal immigrants who have been in the United States between two years and five years to return to their home country briefly, then re-enter as temporary workers. They could then begin a process of seeking citizenship.
Illegal immigrants here longer than five years would not be required to return home; those in the country less than two years would be required to leave without assurances of returning, and take their place in line with others seeking entry papers.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Is is the Republicans in Congress who are selling out our country and who are ignoring the overwhelming will of the populace who are risking a great loss in '06 and '08. There are consequences to ones actions and the consequence for a politician who betrays his country should be an electoral loss. Cause. Effect. You're preaching to the wrong people. Get on the phone with your congresscritters.
I can't recall that, but I do remember Slick trying to put fund some (urgently needed) programs with taxes that he described as "payroll premiums".
People were baffled at first (this was before Bubba acquainted us with the parsing of two-letter words) until we finally figured out that he was just being Slick.
As I see it, the sum result of this `happy compromise'will be even more desperate, ailing, pregnant, `light-fingered', judgment-proof/litigious Mexican "guests" crossing our southwestern border in the future. I haven't yet seen what they plan to do to `drain the swamp'.
And don't be too surprised if the critters attach some automatic renewal rider, with some eupemistic label, to this current amnesty bill--as they did with their COLA payroll increases--so they don't have to be bothered in the future.
Nonsense. It’s no step at all. It’s exactly where we stand now. They’ve always had to leave.
Hmmm... Let me tell you what history - and my vote - has proved to me.
Roberts. - Alito.
God bless you brother!
Awesome cartoon. Goes right to the heart of the matter. The cut and run, Murtha-inspired, appeasement pukes in the Republican Party clamoring to declare unconditional surrender to the 20 million criminal invaders and their home nation make me sick.
>Nonsense. It’s no step at all. It’s exactly where we stand now. They’ve always had to leave.
Bingo. Funny how many here use the word 'illegal' as if it didn't mean a thing.
Ever heard of "momentum"?"
Ouch! That's gonna leave a mark!
Nice one. We could also add John Paul Stevens to that list too. Seem to me it doesn't matter sometimes.
Considering that most voters, swing or otherwise, want very much to get the border under control, we could stand a little more "pandering" from the Republicans.
How about putting them on Double Secret Probation!
I could go on, but why bother?
McCain and Kennedy can pass all the laws they want, but what makes them think they'll make any difference? The first thing the illegals did was to break the law when they set foot on U.S. soil and once here, we've seen just how effective the enforcement of the current laws has been!
"End of line" could be the date signed into law - every person who has applied for U.S. citizenship prior to that needs to be processed before anyone here illegally is. I have no problem with all other requirements for those legal applicants being imposed on illegals, sponsorship included. And, thank you for your honest answer re: Vietnam draft dodgers - I hold them in contempt as well BUT that doesn't mean it wasn't a good idea to grant amnesty decades later.
Senate Set for Test Vote Over Immigration
Senators warn dispute threatens immigration bill
WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans and Democrats closed in on a last-minute compromise Thursday on legislation opening the way to legal status and eventual citizenship for many of the 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally.
Now there are two names that make my soul all squishy and over flowing with confidence.
The amnesty program appears to have gathered the requisite support. Essentially, this whole deal stinks!! Sickening.
Not if people look beyond the Rat spin, deeper than the 6 o'clock news and inform themselves. The GOP loses congressional and presidential victory at your and our peril, God forbid and God help us.
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