Thread: Senators Compromise on Border Security.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/07/ ... 56234.html

WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats and Republicans came together Thursday to devote an additional $3 billion to gaining control over the U.S.-Mexico border, putting Congress on a path to override President Bush's promised veto of a $38 billion homeland security funding bill.

The deal resurrects a GOP plan launched Wednesday to pass some of the most popular elements of Bush's failed immigration bill, including money for additional Border Patrol agents and fencing along the southern border.

Democrats liked the money but objected to such GOP proposals as allowing law enforcement officers to question people about their immigration status and cracking down on those who overstay their visas.

After some parliamentary fireworks Wednesday, efforts to advance a compromise containing only the border security money broke down.

But Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, resolved their differences overnight and announced agreement Thursday morning. Cornyn won a promise to have some of the money used to go after immigrants who had entered the United States legally but had overstayed their visas.

Reid had apparently thought earlier that Cornyn wanted harsher language.

"I was wrong and Senator Cornyn was right," acknowledged a sheepish Reid.

The revised plan was poised to be approved around midday Thursday.

The measure is opposed by the White House, top Republicans said, and it clearly puts the president in a box. Bush had already promised a veto of the underlying homeland security bill for spending $2.3 billion more than he requested.

Now, Bush's GOP stalwarts in Congress such as Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., are poised to override the president's veto.

Cornyn predicted the bill would "pass by a veto-proof margin" and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters the bill might get 90 votes in the 100-member Senate.

The measure is likely to be the first spending bill to arrive on Bush's desk, despite his demand Thursday that the Democratic-controlled Congress focus on delivering the Pentagon's massive budget to his desk before going on its August vacation.

As adopted Thursday, the funding would go toward seizing "operational control" over the U.S.-Mexico border with additional Border Patrol agents, vehicle barriers, border fencing and observation towers, plus Cornyn's crackdown on people who overstay their visas.

The underlying homeland security bill had already drawn a veto threat for breaking Bush's budget. White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said Wednesday that the new border security measures under consideration would not be financed by fines on illegal immigrants as were comparable provisions from the broader bill that died last month. Stanzel declined further comment Thursday.

Bush and GOP allies such as Graham and Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona had argued during last month's hotly contested immigration debate that a comprehensive approach to immigration reform was the only way to attract bipartisan support to such a polarizing issue.

In the wake of the failure to pass the comprehensive bill - decried as offering "amnesty" by conservative talk radio and opposing lawmakers - Graham and the others changed their minds and offered the border security plan, combined with the tough GOP policy provisions.

Graham and Kyl said the public won't accept more controversial elements, especially the plan to give millions of illegal immigrants a way to earn U.S. citizenship, until the border with Mexico is made more secure.

"Border security is the gate that you must pass through to get to overall comprehensive reform," said Graham, who is up for re-election next year and facing political heat at home for backing Bush's unpopular immigration plan.

This is a step, albeit a small one, in the right direction. The anger the shamnesty bill generated, seems to have made an impression on the beltway crowd, especially with elections coming up next year.

Graham and Kyl said the public won't accept more controversial elements, especially the plan to give millions of illegal immigrants a way to earn U.S. citizenship, until the border with Mexico is made more secure.

They still dont want to tell the truth. We will not accept "AMNESTY" period..[/code]

Graham seems to BELIEVE that if the border is secured, WE WILL ALLOW SHAMNESTY. WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is a step in the right direction. If they have that go through AND IMPLEMENT THE FENCE, THE TOWERS, THE BEDS, AND THE VISA OVER STAY PROVISIONS, without any amnesty amendments, I'll be happy.

Let's face it folks we have to win battles. If we win this battle, its like any war, we take one step at a time as warriors to winning the war.

I didn't know they could override a veto. Good job. How many votes do they need to do this, I wonder. But, this bill would have to go back to the House for another vote if amendments are added. At least that's what Rep. Goode's office told me yesterday. Hopefully it won't get any objection there.

"Border security is the gate that you must pass through to get to overall comprehensive reform," said Graham, who is up for re-election next year and facing political heat at home for backing Bush's unpopular immigration plan.

What a snake.. Guess he is a bigot now..

2/3's to beat a veto

Senate Democrats and Republicans came together Thursday to devote an additional $3 billion to gaining control over the U.S.-Mexico border, putting Congress on a path to override President Bush's promised veto of a $38 billion homeland security funding bill.

I think that SOME of the senators in both parties see that George Bush is "paying the American people back" for his "failed immigration bill". They know that he is purposely allowing things to become worse and they cannot allow the borders to go on like this....and they know that George Bush is doing NOTHING to stop it.

Well, now Spector is trying another immigration bill.


http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/spe ... 07-27.html