Friday, June 8, 2007
Dole plays role in ending debate on immigration


By Mary M. Shaffrey
JOURNAL WASHINGTON BUREAU

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satel ... 3351537131


WASHINGTON
Immigration reform for the time being is dead, and Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., may have dealt it a lethal blow.
Late last night, the Senate passed an amendment 49-48 that would sunset the guest-worker provisions of the bill in five years. The amendment was sponsored by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. Dole voted for the amendment.
Dole had voted against an identical amendment last month but she said yesterday afternoon that she switched her vote because she saw the amendment as a chance to the kill the overall immigration bill.
The guest-worker provisions, which allow temporary visas for workers, were a key part of the bipartisan support for the immigration bill. Dole said she is opposed to the bill because it offers what she said would be amnesty for illegal immigrants.
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