Thread: Senate Democrats snub Kyl, opt to push former McCain-Kennedy

Senate Democrats snub Kyl, opt to push former McCain-Kennedy bill

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/51248.php

Tucson Citizen
5.10.2007

Democrats in the U.S. Senate have reintroduced a comprehensive immigration reform bill authored last year by U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

U.S. Senate Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., had pleaded with Senate Democrats - who won a majority in the 2006 elections - to hold off on any action while a bipartisan bill was being hammered out.

A huge sticking point is whether to allow the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States to legalize their status, provided they pay fines and meet other conditions.

Co-sponsoring a bill Wednesday with U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., are Sens. Kennedy, Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey and Ken Salazar, D-Colorado.

Democrats also hold a majority in the U.S. House, where legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., would require a "touchback" provision, meaning illegal immigrants would have to leave the country in order to apply for legal status.

President Bush praised last year's McCain-Kennedy bill, but McCain has become subdued about the issue and some say Democrats would not want to approve immigration reform that might be seen as a victory for Bush.
Reid said debate would begin Monday on the newly reintroduced legislation.

Bite Me KYLE!

Co-sponsoring a bill Wednesday with U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., are Sens. Kennedy, Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey and Ken Salazar, D-Colorado.

Behold the wussy parade. Not one of them is worth the powder it would take to blow them to hell.