Thread: Texas senators leaning against bill

Texas senators leaning against bill
By DAVE MONTGOMERY
Star-Telegram Washington Bureau

KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
WASHINGTON -- As President Bush tries to push a far-reaching immigration bill through the Senate this week, he may not have the help of the two Republican senators from his home state.

Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, in a joint op-ed article, signaled their likely opposition to the bill, expressing fears that it "may be repeating the mistakes" of a widely discredited 1986 law that granted amnesty to more than 2 million illegal immigrants.

The Senate is scheduled to open debate on the bill today. It was crafted by the White House and a bipartisan group of senators during three months of behind-the-scenes negotiations. Cornyn and Hutchison both participated in the discussions but did not join other negotiators at a news conference last week to announce the deal.

"While our efforts had a positive influence, we were not convinced the announced proposal guarantees repair of our broken system," the two senators said in the article, which was released Sunday.

The bill, which has come under attack from interest groups at both ends of the political spectrum, would establish a process to legalize most of the 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States, create a guest worker program, toughen enforcement along the border and create an electronic verification system to screen job applicants.

Supporters of the bill dismiss arguments that the bill is a repeat of the 1986 amnesty, pointing out that illegal immigrants would have to pay fines and fees and pass background checks. They also wouldn't be eligible for a green card to obtain permanent residency in the United States for at least eight years and would have to first return to their home countries to apply.

The bill faces its first test late this afternoon with a motion to take up debate, requiring a "supermajority" -- 60 votes of the 100-member Senate. Supporters believe that senators will be willing to consider the bill, but the ultimate outcome remains uncertain.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., interviewed Sunday on ABC's This Week, said senators should be given at least two weeks to debate the complex legislation, meaning they would be unable to be finish before departing on a Memorial Day recess at the end of this week.

In their statement, Hutchison and Cornyn told Texas constituents that they remain committed to "clear and consistent" principles: "We must secure our borders, and we cannot encourage illegal behavior through amnesty."

While the bill offers "some long-term positive changes," they said, "many problems have not been satisfactorily addressed." They expressed concern that the bill does not adequately deal with document fraud, collection of Social Security benefits by illegal aliens, and illegal immigrants who are convicted criminals.

Hutchison and Cornyn also complained that the bill's supporters are trying to rush the compromise through the Senate. While the Texans did not express outright opposition, they suggested that they will push for amendments to eliminate their objections.

Dave Montgomery reports from the Star-Telegram's Washington bureau.

dmontgomery@mcclatchydc.com
202-383-6016

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/109400.html

2 POSSIBILITIES HERE:

In their statement, Hutchison and Cornyn told Texas constituents that they remain committed to "clear and consistent" principles: "We must secure our borders, and we cannot encourage illegal behavior through amnesty."

1. they've HEARD THE AMERICAN OUTRAGE and FEAR IT

2. they're actors in a SOAP OPERA to confuse Texans.

They made the mistake of voting yes for cloture on S2611 last year, they better not play that game again.

Dixie

Or maybe they heard the Boos...that Lindsey Traitor La Raza graham got

This am on the news...they asked Cornyn if this bill was Amnesty...he talked about lots of stuff..but would not answer the rather straight forward question

when is DC going to understand.

WE DONT NEED LAWS TO MAKE NEW LAWS THAT ARE
ALREADY ON THE BOOK AND ALREADY LAW.

I've managed to fax and call Hutchison and email Cornyn. Cornyn's office is not answering the phones.

I will be so proud of them and of Texas if they vote NO.

After what we've gotten, we could use and we would appreciate something very positive for the country coming out of that state TODAY.

PLEASE Senators Cornyn and Hutchison, stand up for Texans and the American people TODAY.

Well they both voted NO this round. Let's watch them to see if the change sides.