Posted on 05/17/2007 10:16:31 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of senators reached agreement with the White House Thursday on an immigration overhaul to grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. and fortify the border against new ones.
One of the key negotiators, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said he expects President Bush to endorse it.
The deal came after weeks of painstaking closed-door negotiations that brought the most liberal Democrats and the most conservative Republicans together with Bush's Cabinet officers to produce a highly complex measure that carries heavy political consequences.
It set the stage for what promises to be a bruising battle next week in the Senate on one of Bush's top non-war priorities.
This is a breaking news update. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican and Democratic senators huddled Thursday trying to close in on an immigration compromise to grant quick legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants while fortifying U.S. borders against new ones.
A group of lawmakers that has been haggling over the terms of agreement for weeks were reviewing language negotiated Wednesday night in efforts to nail down a deal. Among the final sticking points was a stubborn dispute over how much family ties count toward green cards under a new "point system." The plan prioritizes advanced skills and education levels for future immigrants.
Two of the lead negotiators, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Lindsey Graham (news, bio, voting record), R-S.C., booked time for Thursday afternoon in the Senate's radio-TV gallery for an announcement.
But Kennedy said some were hanging back as an agreement inched closer.
"There are just some people who don't want to close on this. There comes a time in every negotiation where people have to close," Kennedy said. "Today is it."
Kennedy said Thursday was likely the last chance for a compromise before senators scattered for a three-day weekend.
"The immigration reform legislation has come to a boiling point," Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., said just before going into Thursday's meeting. "We've tried to come to a consensus and I think we are very, very close, but every time we grasp it, it eludes a final resolution."
If no deal emerged, Senate Democrats were to vote Monday evening to bring up an immigration measure that passed last year over the objections of most Republicans, who have said they will block it. That would be a highly partisan start to the immigration debate, which divides the two parties and exposes fissures within their ranks.
Even with a bipartisan agreement, the immigration debate could easily devolve into a free-for-all in the unruly Senate.
Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., has said he wants to complete a bill before Memorial Day, and President Bush says he wants to sign one by summer's end.
Fred Thompson is a totally establishment Republican — cut out of the Howard Henry Baker School of Appeasement and Sellout.
Yeah, for 3 million who were present in the U.S. Not for 15 to 20 million plus their "spouses" and "children" in Mexico.
Yes... Jim Talent was on a local radio show here in St. Louis, and when I found out he was working on Romney’s campaign... My first thought was... “We’re done...”
For once they should check the polls. W and Congess have sold us, not just us in FreeRepublic, but everyone in the U.S., out! You know if Kennedy and McCain had something to do with it, it ain't good!
At first I was just angry. But your post has me near tears. Because I know it's true.
It’s a day, no six years, of mourning with CA senatorial elections.
Wait until the wage hike and the families come in.
I think the public has a general idea that there is an aristocracy here. Executives of the oligarchs have figured out how to give people an opportunity ***to go into debt*** and get the shiny new car, the widescreen TV, the home and its mortgage, and plenty of steak and potatos. Those that climb into that way of life will be working their butts off to make the payments.
They are definitely not free. They are lured into debt slavery. And for awhile they like it until they retire and are too old to fight.
A history professor once researched why Louis X14 had such extravagant dress and why all the aristocrats of his court were draped so richly. He found orders from the King that for every session of his court, the ladies and gents of the court were required to port new attire fashioned by the King’s clothesmakers. When this professor examined letters from the aristocracy he found many complaints that they could not afford all the gowns with so many laces and jewels, so they had to use the King’s credit provided by his good graces to be able to be members of the court.
Louis XIV ruled France largely by clothing expense.
This is not Free Republic that I know.
Lately there has been a lot of anger about so many things. It is unsettling that is for sure. They have not even passed the thing yet. lol.
“While it may be bad policy, it will have make us lose.
Don’t forget....Reagan pushed even more liberal amnesty.”
Reagan’s amnesty involved a WHOLE LOT LESS people than this one does. This one will cripple the country and turn it into a third world country.
As for losing, what you don’t get is that I don’t give a damn about the Republican Party after this passes. If this is what I get from Republicans, I have no use for them. I’m a conservative first.
This is not the Bush we were sold either.
NO deal!!!
Yea, ol’ Ben Franklin assumed that the colonists would pay the Stamp Tax, and he tried to get a collector’s commission for a friend. He was soon shocked at the resistance, which he though unwise.
It wasn’t the end of America when Reagan did it, and it isn’t the end now, either. This hyperbole is hilarious.
Yeah, it stinks that these illegals will not be sent back, but what would we do if we didn’t give them a program to stay? How would we possibly send them all back? That would just be monumentous.
“Kyls voice mail box is full... Wonder why?”
It took 10+ tries to get through to Sen. Warner’s office (VA).
Oh, this is very much the GWB from the start. People just saw in GWB in 2000 what they wanted to see.
That does not mean I am not in favor of a fence and lots of troops to try to keep them out in the future, however.
True that. I apologize to Benedict Arnold.
Warner — I’d as soon have E. Taylor in the seat.
No, they did not. Pres. Bush will be impeached by the Democrats
and the future ex-Republicans (stabbed by Pres. Bush) will do nothing to stop it.
Quite a difference. And if this goes through, quite likely.
Want to bet that Arlen Specter votes for impeachment to boot?
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