Senators agree on 'amnesty' proposal

The Washington Times ^ | May 12, 2006 | Charles Hurt

[Lancey Howard]

Senate leaders reached an agreement yesterday on immigration reform legislation that would strengthen border security but also would allow millions of illegal aliens who have been in the U.S. for two years or longer to apply for citizenship. Derided by conservatives as "amnesty," the proposal could be amended but senators on both sides of the aisle say they doubt it will be dramatically altered. "Senate Republicans are united in their commitment to an open and full debate on multiple amendments," said a statement from seven Republicans who represent the full spectrum of positions on immigration reform. "We are willing to put differences aside so we can get on with the important work to be done securing our borders and grappling with the 12 million illegal immigrants currently living in our country," said the group that included Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. "We are also in agreement that efforts to curtail the debate prematurely will only derail this process. We call on Senate Democrats to allow an open debate and votes on this complex and challenging issue," the statement read. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, with whom Mr. Frist has been negotiating for weeks, said he "welcomed" the return of the thorny bill to the floor.

[Kakaze]

"Can somebody explain how that amnesty differs from the proposed amnesty (apart from the number of people involved)? Is there a "stick" to this legislation?"

I hope someone can.

All I see is the same thing repackaged for a new generation, with even less real intent to enforce it. Any blustering about being tough on the border from the dems or the rinos is just political expediancy.

They'll be out front puting on a show and telling the paying customers (citizens) that they are protected and cherished, while they leave the back door open for the freeloaders to loot the place.

[Peach]

279 posted on 05/12/2006 12:03:01 AM EDT by Jim Robinson
Look, I'm not going to be a party to electing even one rat to the congress or the senate (or any local offices for that matter) nor will I be doing anything whatsoever which will help elect Hillary Clinton or any other Marxist Democrat to the presidency. Is that language plain enough for you to understand?

[conservativecorner]

The sell out of the Constitution and America continues in the senate. They are pathetic!

[Edgar3]

Should we stop voting Republican when the immigration amnesty is passed (which we all know is going to happen)? NO! If you vote for a third party or don't vote at all, you are are only going to make the situation worse.

No! By voting for more of the same you are only going to make the situation worse.

[seemoAR]

The Guard can do nothing. The federal government could nationalize it. Remember Central High School in Little Rock, AR? President Eisenhower(R) sent the 101st Airborne Division there in 1957.

This is a fact. It is history. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1876 is no longer in effect. Have you ever read Executive Order #12656, Section 101?

[Muleteam1]

Sorry, but don't watch CNN.

[TalBlack]

"Since Bush took office, over 6 million illegal aliens have been expelled from the U.S. - you think that is an "abject failure"? I'd give it a "C+" personally."

If a ship is taking on 4000 gal of water an hour and the Captain's efforts result in pumping 1000 gal an hour of the water out...HE GETS A C+!!!!

[Uncle Vlad]

First, let's ask ourselves what President Bush and the Republicans have done right. The war is going pretty well, we have lower taxes, and we seem to have a couple apparently decent judges on the SCOTUS and many more good ones on the lower courts.

All of that is very nice, but if you can't secure the borders of your country, you have no country.

[texastoo]

Also,what would you do to the illegal alien parents of three U.S. citizens - their oldest is a doctor, their middle child is 2 years into West Point, and the youngest is set to graduate as valedictorian for high school this June?

Let see. The oldest child, the anchor baby, is at the very least 25 years old. This tells me that the illegal parents could have been a part of the 1986 Reagan amnesty and 6 or 7 amnesties after 1986. I wonder why they refused the Reagan amnesty?

Why don't you tell us what YOU would do to the illegal alien parents who have refused 6 or 7 amnesties?

[stopem]

Amnesty spreads socialism! Plain and simple!

[clawrence3]

Reagan was a Socialist"?!

[clawrence3]

That amnesty was limited to agriculture workers - what 6 or 7 amnesties are you referring to?

[stopem]

Check mate.

[clawrence3]

Over 6 million illegal aliens have been expelled from the U.S. since Bush took office - how many more would be enough for you?

[clawrence3]

You think slandering the greatest POTUS of the 20th century is "checkmate"?! You and I must be operating under very different definitions of words here.

[cva66snipe]

Of course, there's always the other possibility of the states using the National Guard as you've mentioned. I read Arizona is moving in that direction. Maybe Texas would do something, but the Socialist Republic of California is doing everything it can to ENCOURAGE illegal immigration.

Any bets on NG units called up by governors for border protection would suddenly be put on deployment status for the M.E.?

[pabianice]

In Frist's defense, the Senate rule requiring 60 votes for cloture almost impossibly hamstrings any majority with less than 60 votes. To Frist's shame, he is a terrible majority leader -- weak, indecisive, and too much in love with what the MSM says about him.

I believe the Dems will take the House this fall, with all the horrors that entails. Perhaps being out of power for two years will be an ECT for the Repubs.

[clawrence3]

No - the Captain would get an "F" - but your analogy works only if 24 million illegal aliens all came in during Bush's watch. Do you have hards stats for that? Also, keep in mind there are other classes Bush is being graded on, so even with an "F" in illegal immigration, he's still got a 3.5 GPA.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Over 6 million illegal aliens have been expelled from the U.S. since Bush took office - how many more would be enough for you?"

All the ones that are left, plus any that come in in the meantime.