Thread: Immigration vote stuns Senate supporters

Immigration vote stuns Senate supporters

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington ... side_N.htm

By Kathy Kiely, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., sat in the back of the Senate wearing the tux he had donned for an evening event where he was the scheduled speaker. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., rubbed fatigue from her eyes.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., came to sit by his disappointed father, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., the chief sponsor of the immigration bill, as the Senate blocked it from coming to a vote Thursday night. Another key supporter of the bill, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., refused to speak to reporters.

The breakdown of the immigration legislation, despite the support of the Senate's Democratic and Republican leadership and the White House, left stunned backers of the bill vowing to revive it, but uncertain of how.

"We're not giving up the game," Kennedy told Senate colleagues.

SETBACK: Party rifts derail Senate immigration bill

The National Immigration Forum, one of the groups that have lobbied hardest for the immigration bill's passage, called the Senate's 50-45 vote against limiting debate, "a huge disappointment to immigrant communities."

Voting in favor of the immigration bill were 37 Democrats, seven Republicans and one independent. Voting against: 38 Republicans, 11 Democrats, one independent.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, one of the bill's leading opponents, said the vote was a victory for open government.

"I simply do not understand why some of my colleagues want to jam this legislation through," he said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and other Democrats blamed Republican opponents of the bill for its collapse, even though 11 Democrats also opposed the bill.

"There's lots of support for this bill on the outside," he said. "The problem is inside the Senate chamber."

Opponents of the bill insisted they wanted more time to debate amendments but repeatedly objected Thursday to bringing those amendments up. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said Republican opponents of the immigration bill had "lost credibility."

Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, who also serves as chairman of the Republican Party, rebuked his fellow party members in a Senate floor speech, saying it is time for them to be "putting forth a proposal" instead of "tearing down one that has been put out there."

Opponents of the bill range from conservative Republicans, who think it is too lenient with immigrants who broke the law, to liberal Democrats who believe it is too harsh.

Prospects were uncertain as weary senators left the Capitol. "When you're trying to anchor the center down, it's tough," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

Opponents of the bill insisted they wanted more time to debate amendments but repeatedly objected Thursday to bringing those amendments up. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said Republican opponents of the immigration bill had "lost credibility."

No Senator, it's you who have lost credibility with the American people.

"There's lots of support for this bill on the outside," he said.


You mean in Mexico? Yes, we know.

Originally Posted by squishy

"There's lots of support for this bill on the outside," he said.


You mean in Mexico? Yes, we know.

Exactly!! on the outside, Ted why don't you swim to Mexico?

Originally Posted by squishy

"There's lots of support for this bill on the outside," he said.


You mean in Mexico? Yes, we know.

That's what kills me. That is what they kept saying, but who have they been talking to? LaRaza? They certainly haven't been listening to Americans.

Someone needs to put forth an enforcement first bill. I dont think there is really anyone that could vote agaisnt that without commiting political suicide. then we can discuss what to do with the ones here.

We're not giving up the game," Kennedy told Senate colleagues.

So making laws is a game now? This isn't the sports world. Sorry, Kennedy, you lost. Now be a good sport and quit.

"a huge disappointment to immigrant communities."

This should read "a huge disappointment to illegal alien communities."

"There's lots of support for this bill on the outside,"

They forgot to put OBL(open borders lobby) in front of the word support.

Originally Posted by WavTek

Opponents of the bill insisted they wanted more time to debate amendments but repeatedly objected Thursday to bringing those amendments up. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said Republican opponents of the immigration bill had "lost credibility."

No Senator, it's you who have lost credibility with the American people.

Arlen Spector, whom I previously respected, has lost all credibility with me for his atrocious behavior toward Sen. Jeff Sessions on Thursday. While Sessions was speaking, Spector interrupted him with questions and scolded him for not settling his grievances over the legislation behind closed doors. He also colluded with Harry Reid in an attempt to pull Sessions from the floor, hypothetically to review a newly-crafted agreement, These sophomoric actions were clearly calculated to distract Sessions, put pressure on him, and use up his floor time. Shame on Spector.

Another key supporter of the bill, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., refused to speak to reporters.

As McBrainless's ratings continue to slide it won't be much longer before the reporters will refuse to speak with him.....the loser.

Originally Posted by pjr40

Another key supporter of the bill, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., refused to speak to reporters.

As McBrainless's ratings continue to slide it won't be much longer before the reporters will refuse to speak with him.....the loser.