Thread: Senate returning to immigration bill

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070624/ap_ ... mmigration

By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer
5 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - Senators pushing a new immigration policy appealed Sunday to wavering supporters ahead of renewed debate on securing the borders and dealing with 12 million undocumented immigrants.

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A fragile compromise was pulled from the Senate in early June, then resurrected after bipartisan negotiations with the White House. The bill awaits a crucial test vote this week. With several senators distancing themselves from the proposal, the outcome was too close to call.

"We'll see if between the two parties we have 60 votes" needed to keep the bill moving toward a final vote, said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

The measure would tighten borders, require workplace verification and create a guest worker program. It also would lay out a way by which the estimated 12 million people illegally in the U.S. could gain legal status and work toward citizenship.

President Bush long has advocated an immigration overhaul. On Saturday, he urged lawmakers to "summon the courage" to support what could be the last major legislative achievement of his presidency. "The status quo is unacceptable," he said in his weekly radio address.

But he faces dissension from fellow Republicans who demand better border security and oppose any policy that suggests amnesty for undocumented immigrants.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., last week said his support for the bill hinges on the outcome of a series of amendments agreed to as part of the compromise to revive the legislation.

Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., who has faced critical ads back home over his support for the bill, said Sunday, "I'm not committed to voting for the final product. The wheels may come off. But I am committed to trying."

Democrats have taken hits from their normal allies, including labor and some Hispanic groups. They say the proposal is bad for workers or that provisions for obtaining visas place too much emphasis on skills, to the disadvantage of family ties.

"We know what they're against. What are they for?" asked Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. He noted that since the Sept. 11 attacks, there have been 39 hearings on immigration, 23 days of debate in the Senate and 52 amendments.

"We have a terrible problem in this country that demands an answer," he said.

But Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., a leading critic of the legislation, argued that support for the bill continues to plummet, both among senators thought to be behind it and among the public.

"We are going to use every effort to slow this process down and continue to hold up the bill," he said.

Senate passage would send the issue to the House, where Democratic leaders have promised to take it up at an early date. But the legislation also faces a tough road in the House. Many Republicans want tighter border security and opposing giving legal status to those who entered the country illegally.

Feinstein and Lott appeared on "Fox News Sunday" while Kennedy and Sessions spoke on "This Week" on ABC.

Please lord let our senators see the light and vote against this bill.

Well, Beckyal, if they don't, they'll be seeing the door come election time.

"We know what they're against. What are they for?" asked Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. He noted that since the Sept. 11 attacks, there have been 39 hearings on immigration, 23 days of debate in the Senate and 52 amendments.

Does this moron really not know what we want? How long have we been screaming in their faces to enforce existing laws and not reward anyone for criminal behavior?

"We know what they're against. What are they for?" asked Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. He noted that since the Sept. 11 attacks, there have been 39 hearings on immigration, 23 days of debate in the Senate and 52 amendments.

Ted Kennedy you are such an idiot. ALIPAC, Numbers USA, the U.S. Border Control, the American Legion, talk radio, a number of clear headed Congressmen, Lou Dobbs, and millions and millions and millions and millions of American citizens have repeatidly stated over and over again what we are for:

Secure the Border Now!
Build the Fence
Enforce our existing immigration laws
No amnesty to illegal aliens
We don't need you to tell us that to get the government to secure the border we must pass a comprehensive immigration reform plan that also includes amnesty to 20 million illegal aliens.

You may be arrogant, a lier, a charlatan,a traitor and a despicable jackass...but the American people are not. If you would get the Chamber of Commerce, business elitists, La Raza, and the babbling bleeding hearts out of your ears...you would have heard us!!!

"We have a terrible problem in this country that demands an answer," he said.

Yes, we do...Congressmen like you. So to to solve this problem, millions and millions and millions and millions of Americans will work to send you into retirement. Enjoy Cape Cod...your time in the Senate is coming to an end.

Zeezil....WONDERFULLY said!!!!
In my opinion, Ted Kennedy is on a mission...He KNEW early in his political career he would NOT be as famous or POPULAR as his brothers.
So, he is out to get revenge...To make HIS legacy this one, TO DESTROY AMERICA FROM WITHIN!!!
And, he has been doing it since HIS 1965 IMMIGRATION BILL!
Ted Kennedy is a bitter old man..And an Alcoholic.
His Presidencial aspirations were done after Chappaquidick, and NOW..He is getting back at America. Something to think about.

One only has to look at Kennedy's repeated involvement in disastrous immigration bills and policy over the past 40 years to know what he's for.

And, we know enough to KNOW FOR SURE that whatever he's for, WE DON"T WANT!!!! Kennedy is selling "DEATH TO AMERICA."

So, way to go Sen. Sessions. Obstruct all you can. Once this baby is put to bed, we can then go back to crafting an immigration policy that makes sense, upholds and demands the rule of law, stresses national and border security, reduces our through-the-roof immigration, and will allow us to assimilate those who are already here. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, IS CRAFTED IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS, NOT THOSE WHO WANT TO COME.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE FOR MR. KENNEDY.

PatriotofPast, I believe John McCain is pretty much in the same place as Kennedy. As his Presidential aspirations go up in flames, prepare to see an even meaner, more ornery McCain.