Thread: GOP lawmakers fish for support on immigration

GOP lawmakers fish for support on immigration, border security

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By MICHAEL DOYLE
BEE WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON — The path to immigration reform took a quiet detour recently through the White House's Roosevelt Room.

Nine GOP lawmakers, including two House members from the Central Valley, privately conferred with President Bush's top political operator, Karl Rove.

In the windowless room where Franklin D. Roosevelt once displayed fishing mementos, the Republicans were looking for ways to reel in the big one that's in danger of getting away.

"We're going to make a good push over the next two weeks," said Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia.

Specifically, Nunes and his allies will approach congressional colleagues to figure out what kind of immigration and border security bill can pass the House. It will be like an informal whip count, seeing what's politically feasible and what's not.

"We don't really know where people are at," Nunes said. "There are supporters out there. We just have to find out where they are."

Differing versions

The House in December passed a border secu-rity bill that includes stiffening penalties, hiring new Border Patrol agents and building a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Senate in May approved a broader bill that includes an agricultural guest-worker program and legalization for millions of illegal immigrants.

Nunes and Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, joined in the hourlong White House strategy session late Thursday afternoon. Both support border security measures that conservatives emphasize. Both also say they want comprehensive reform. That puts both in the middle of a fight dividing the Republican caucus.

Radanovich said he advised Rove that constituents have been growing increasingly impatient with congressional inaction.

There have been private meetings galore amid this year's immigration debate. This White House session, which also included Arizona Republicans Jeff Flake and John Shadegg, came at a particularly crucial time.

Time running out for compromise

Nearly two months after the Senate passed its wide-ranging immigration bill, neither the House nor Senate have named negotiators who will work out a final package. Nor is there any sign of that happening soon, even though Congress is fast approaching its August recess.

When Congress returns in September, moreover, only about four weeks remain before an Oct.1 adjournment date that House leaders insist is firm. Opinions varied as to the odds of action this year.

Publicly, opposing sides appear to be hardening their positions rather than preparing for negotiations. This week, at least three House committees plan hearings that emphasize the importance of border security and, implicitly, criticize the Senate's comprehensive approach as premature or dangerous.



Posted on 07/16/06 00:00:00
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/12460 ... 9556c.html

Specifically, Nunes and his allies will approach congressional colleagues to figure out what kind of immigration and border security bill can pass the House. It will be like an informal whip count, seeing what's politically feasible and what's not.

"We don't really know where people are at," Nunes said. "There are supporters out there. We just have to find out where they are."

Its really sickening to hear these politicians playing stupid.
Immigratioin is one of the top issues in the nation today, and they claim to "not know" where people are at?
I hope they are referring to the people who do support the Senate plan.
If this is the case, according to many of the polls, the 16% of the people who do support the Senate plan would be hard to find...

Oops, correction. They wouldn't be hard to find. Just look in DC.

The only thing these bums are good for is to CUT BAIT for the CFR and the administration

We sent bricks so maybe now's the time to send CUT UP BAIT
Wouldn't that be the best yet!! What a stink that would make, lmao.

Originally Posted by 2ndamendsis

The only thing these bums are good for is to CUT BAIT for the CFR and the administration

We sent bricks so maybe now's the time to send CUT UP BAIT
Wouldn't that be the best yet!! What a stink that would make, lmao.

And leave a note saying this is what I think about your position on immigration as he smells the stink.