Posted on 08/07/2009 11:00:00 AM PDT by Mount Athos
Senate Democrats have found a Republican in Sen. Lindsey Graham to help them push for passage of a comprehensive immigration overhaul this year.
Democrats and Republicans say Mr. Graham of South Carolina is working behind the scenes with Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) to gain support from other GOP members.
The bill is still taking shape, but it is expected to include key features of unsuccessful 2006 and 2007 immigration proposals, including a path to legal status for many of the illegal immigrants already inside the U.S. and measures to strengthen border security.
A new Gallup poll this week showed Americans less favorable to immigration than they were a year ago, which could make the climate for legislation even tougher. Now 50% of those surveyed say immigration should be decreased, which is up significantly from the 39% who said the same a year ago.
Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.), who led those earlier drives along with Sen. Edward Kennedy (D., Mass.), isn't expected to play a prominent role this year. He faces a primary challenge next year in the state he has represented for more than two decades. One of his opponents is a founder of a controversial group that conducts civilian patrols along the border in search of illegal immigrants.
Lawmakers from both parties, but especially Republicans, have faced intense criticism from populist corners of their constituencies, where there is support for a zero-tolerance, enforcement-only approach to immigration.
Pulling in the other direction for Republicans is strong support from business groups for guest-worker programs, including for high-tech workers, and a way to legalize many of the high- and low-skill foreign laborers already inside the U.S.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
I have a feeling Gramnesty will be pulling a jumpin jim jeffords.
Perhaps we should have a protest at his town hall demanding he resign.
CAM SIMPSON, any relation to OJ? :-)
.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.