http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/article ... 5cbf86.txt

Frist sees immigration bill advancing
12:15 PM


LE MARS, Iowa -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said this morning that the two federal chambers could agree on a limited immigration reform bill dealing with securing the border, but perhaps leaving the issue of what to do with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants to the next Congress.

Republican Frist said he recognizes there are naysayers that the differences between the bill the House passed in December 2005 and the Senate bill passed in May could be resolved. He said the most likely course for compromise between the two is to focus on border security, and Frist also predicted that within the next two weeks, the Senate will pass an appropriations bill with $2.6 billion in additional money for border security.

Frist, who is mulling a 2008 presidential bid, was in Le Mars to campaign on behalf of state Rep. Chuck Soderberg. Frist also spoke about the U.S. health care system and the importance of Republicans turning out to keep majorities in the Senate and House into 2007.

He termed the Nov. 7 election very critical, and said Americans face a distinct choice between Republicans who want to lower taxes, become energy independent and stand strong against terrorism and Democrats who will raise taxes, "cut and run" in Iraq and allow "predatory trial lawyers" to drive up the cost of health care.