Emanuel Says Immigration Reform Bill Lacks Votes to Pass

WaPo ^ | 6/25/2009 | Michael D. Shear and Spencer S. Hsu

[mojito]

Just hours before President Obama hosts lawmakers for a discussion on immigration at the White House, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel conceded that Obama and his allies on Capitol Hill do not have the votes to pass a comprehensive reform bill.

"If the votes were there, you wouldn't need to have the meeting. You could go to a roll call," Emanuel told reporters during an hour-long breakfast.

About 20 senators and House members are due to arrive at the White House at 2 p.m. for the discussion in the State Dining Room. Aides to the president said the meeting was intended to "launch a policy conversation by having an honest discussion about the issues and identifying areas of agreement and areas where we still have work to do."

The president will announce administrative actions that the White House has already taken to chip away at the issues, including a modernization of computers that allow people to quickly see their immigration status. Officials said the White House hopes to begin the more controversial debate over a comprehensive approach to address illegal immigration later this year.

But Emanuel offered reporters a more realistic assessment, saying that while it is "not impossible" to get immigration reform done this year, it is more likely to be pushed off.

[mojito]

Now if only cap & trade dies in the House today.

[spectre]

I still don't trust them with this.

sw

[twigs]

I still don't trust them with this.

Nor do I. This group doesn't announce defeat.

[wiggen]

“an honest discussion”...obamaspeak for ,”if you don’t agree with me you’re a liar.”

[Fred]

modernization of computers that allow people to quickly see their immigration status

Rumor has it ACORN will be running this.

[gubamyster]

ping

[moose2004]

It will in the senate. Jim Inhofe said the senate will never pass “cap and tax.”

[servantboy777]

They’ll do just like McCain / Kennedy / Bush attempted to do....attach portions of the bill to other bills as amendments.

Our government is so damn corrupt.

[JoanneSD]

Cap and tax, that is good.. I thought it would cap my spending limits and enhance our foreign trade...

[Costumed Vigilante]

Mass criminal pardons of hostile alien invaders ie "immigration reform" will be the final proof that this Congress needs to be dissolved, its illegal and unConstitutional dictates annulled, and it's members tried, in abstentia if necessary, and sentence passed.

I will start collecting rope. If anyone can help with carpenter skills, I'd appreciate it. We have a lot of temporary structures to build...

[mojito]

Rumor has it ACORN will be running this.

Why am I not surprised at this? And if not ACORN, why not La Raza?

[La Lydia]

Schumer said legislation should secure control of the nation's borders within a year...Yeah, sure, Schmucky. And I am the Queen of Sheba. This is the same lie they told us the last two times they passed an amnesty bill. Secure the borders. Then we'll talk.

"Every Democrat that's in a competitive district knows that will be the question next year: Why did they vote for more foreign workers while 14 million workers are unemployed?" said Roy Beck, founder of NumbersUSA...Trying running against that, you bastards, Democrat or Republican.

Also unclear is what backing might come from business groups. Schumer's priorities did not include expanding a guest-worker program, which employers sought.

Big error. They did not accommodate one of their principle special interest groups, which includes big ag, so that special interests no longer has a dog in the fight, unless there is some kind of super-secret plan to slip it in while it is in conference.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

“But Emanuel offered reporters a more realistic assessment, saying that while it is “not impossible” to get immigration reform done this year, it is more likely to be pushed off.”...

Hey, you little friggin weasel!...Its all going to get pushed off!

[who knows what evil?]

We do not want immigration reform, cap and tax, national healthcare, or card check.

[spectre]

Yep, they'll try and slide this in while we are focused on something else.

Let's see if La Raza pitches a fit. If they don't, it's a dead give a way something isn't right.

sw

[Luke21]

How many times have we heard that cap n trade was dead?

[Graybeard58]

With the help of "moderate" democrats maybe 0bama care will also go down in flames.

It's a precarious situation having to rely on any democrat.

[SunkenCiv]

Just hours before President Obama hosts lawmakers for a discussion on immigration at the White House, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel conceded... "If the votes were there, you wouldn't need to have the meeting. You could go to a roll call," ...About 20 senators and House members are due to arrive at the White House at 2 p.m. for the discussion in the State Dining Room. Aides to the president said the meeting was intended to "launch a policy conversation by having an honest discussion about the issues and identifying areas of agreement and areas where we still have work to do." ...Officials said the White House hopes to begin the more controversial debate over a comprehensive approach to address illegal immigration later this year.

Illegal Immigration first (border fence, beef-up of INS and DEA); deportation roundup second; kicking out illegal Kenyan nationals third.

[steamroller]

Maybe,just maybe, legislators will start actually reading the garbage Barry gives them to yote “yes” on.
Even Democrats are starting to resent his commandeering of the legislative function of govrnment.

[B4Ranch]

If you want to accomplish the first two, do the third one first.