Thursday, June 21, 2007
WASHINGTON NEWS
Reid Forced To Delay Immigration Debate
Roll Call reports that "infighting within the Senate Democratic Caucus has stalled work on the chamber's energy bill," forcing Majority Leader Harry Reid "to delay resumption of the immigration debate until the beginning of next week, Reid said Wednesday." In addition to "a vote on a motion to proceed to immigration," Reid also "was expected to delay a vote to take up legislation that would change the way workers vote on whether to form a union."

The Christian Science Monitor says "many...Republicans say they have been shut out of a process. Sen. John Cornyn (R) of Texas, once a supporter of comprehensive immigration reform, filed 30 amendments to the bill, and narrowed them to five after Democrats pulled the bill." Even some Republicans "who did make the list of those allowed amendments are concerned. The secrecy and rush to a final bill will undermine public confidence in the outcome, says Senator Thune."

Bush Opposes Grassley-Obama Amendment The AP reports the Bush Administration "came out strongly against a bipartisan effort by Sens. Charles Grassley and Barack Obama to make the immigration bill easier on employers." Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff "told senators in a letter late Tuesday that the amendment, which makes a new program to stop businesses from hiring illegal workers less burdensome, 'would be a serious step backwards in our enforcement effort.'"

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/b ... 070621.htm