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.
Specter is truly insane. He and the rest have disgraced the hardworking people of this country. Damn him.
Impeachment would be great. Unfortunately Congress is now controlled by George Jr’s fellow immigration-leftists who are as anxious to flush our country as he is.
Depends on which two votes.
Get a new act, would ya?
“Amnesty. Pure and simple.”
Now now, I’m almost positive they called it something else.
I seriously doubt it. If so, the RINOs on capital hill probably couldn’t get more than thrity days funding out of the deal.
good response. For anyone to not see the destruction that will be brought on by this bill, then they are delusional. I knew America could recover from 9/11. This bill is part of the cancer that will destroy our Republic. Never in my life, have I been this let down by our leaders. It's sickening how they all "hail" this bill as something good. God help us.
Our newest citizens demonstrate on the Communist Holiday.
They salute the citizens of our nation who are welcoming them!
Our new flag!
Lots more of this ahead!
I assume you mean our nation, and not this organization. because today, with the sellout, all I have left is this organization and my family.
Not me, I'll remember this act of treason that the GOP could have prevented until I'm six feet in the ground.
“Call the Whitehouse comment line and leave a message for Bush on what a traitor to Americans he is.
This was a compromise between the Senate and the Whitehouse.
Comments: 202-456-1111”
I just tried and the line is BUSY!!! I’m gonna keep trying.
I voted, donated money, and put signs up to support this President. I have been behind him 100% with the WOT, the War in Iraq, and his stance on life, but he has now lost me on this. Yes, this one issue. I do not know ONE Republican that doesn’t feel the same way. Even Democrats I know don’t want amnesty for illegals!
We are losing our country, and have been for a while. If this passes, this is the nail in the coffin. We cease to be The United States of America and we are going to become Los Estados Unidos. Anyone notice that EVERYTHING is in English AND Spanish? Sickening.
What kind of a country are we passing onto our kids? What is our country going to look like in 15 or 20 years? Are we even going to recognize large parts of it?
I AM FURIOUS ABOUT THIS!!!
now I know why Bush supported Specter over a "real" conservative. This bill.
Not that "legal" seems to matter much up on the hill anymore, judging from their actions today.
Are you one of those who I mentioned?
and I will keep doing so until they come around (if ever).
This one can, and he's frankly p**d off about it. When the alternative is Al Frankenstein, that's a real problem. I can only write so many letters to my Senator inviting him to act like the people who elected him expect him to act.
Maybe legally, but how much enforcement will there be with millions of visa or green card holders and many local governments under the control of open borders/MECHA zealots; not to mention a Federal government that will not be interested in aggressive anti voter fraud actions.
Bush appointed a 'war czar' recently, presumably (IMO) so he could focus exclusively his immigration plan.
Its clearly the ONLY policy he feels passionately about.
I call him “El Gringo de Mexico en la Casa Blanca.”
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