Thread: Arizona senator still optimistic on immigration package

Arizona senator still optimistic on immigration package
DAN SEWELL
Associated Press
CINCINNATI - Republican Sen. John McCain still believes the immigration package he's pushing will pick up enough support in Washington. But he didn't gain any here Tuesday from GOP Rep. Steve Chabot.

"This happens to be an area where the senator and I don't agree," Chabot said, after McCain attended a fundraising breakfast for the Ohio congressman's re-election campaign. Chabot said he agrees with McCain on many issues, but their immigration differences underline the difficulty ahead in reaching a consensus.

McCain, of Arizona, said Monday's massive demonstrations around the country for immigration rights underline the urgency for action on the issue. He said there's bipartisan support in the Senate and that President Bush supports a guest-worker program.

Legislation McCain backs seeks better border security, regulations on the future entry of foreign workers and a plan that could allow most of the nation's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants to eventually qualify for citizenship through a series of steps, including paying any back taxes and passing criminal background checks.

"I am confident that over time we will prevail with a comprehensive approach to this issue," McCain told reporters.

The bill stalled in the Senate last week, while the House backed an alternative that would crack down on illegals and add border fencing.

"I support the House bill," Chabot said. "I think it's a mistake for us to even consider anything like a temporary worker program, or some people call it amnesty, until we have border control."

He said it's not only a security issue, but a matter of fairness to people who have tried to come into this country legally.

"It's a very divisive issue. There are differences within the parties," he said. "It's obviously an issue we need to deal with."

McCain told some 300 people at the Chabot breakfast that immigration will be an important political issue, especially for Latino voters.

"So we better treat this issue with care, we better treat it with sensitivity, better treat it with humanity," McCain said.

McCain planned later Tuesday to campaign in Cleveland with Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, an Ohio gubernatorial hopeful who was at the breakfast.


http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/14317522.htm

Wish I still lived in Ohio, I'd vote for that guy!

McCain told some 300 people at the Chabot breakfast that immigration will be an important political issue, especially for Latino voters.

"So we better treat this issue with care, we better treat it with sensitivity, better treat it with humanity," McCain said.

They better start treating the American people better and be more sensitive to the citizens or you can kiss politics goodbye.