Thread: Clay Pigeon Tactic in the Senate for Debate

Tests Ahead for Immigration Deal
By Martin Kady II and Jonathan Allen, CQ Staff

Two amendments — one from the left and one from the right — may be the ultimate test of whether a fragile coalition will hold when the Senate brings back the stalled immigration bill.

Supporters of the bill (S 134 had reason to be optimistic last week when Senate leaders agreed to revive it and limit amendments. The legislation could be on the floor by the end of this week, with 12 Republican and 11 Democratic amendments to be considered.

One Democratic amendment, which would give family ties more weight in any point system that allows illegal immigrants to gain legal status, could cause trouble with Republican supporters of the bill.

The proposal, by Robert Menendez, D-N.J., has support from liberals and immigration advocates. But it has the potential to increase legal immigration and could be a deal-breaker for Republican supporters pushing for a merit-based immigration system.

Menendez dismissed the criticism, saying family reunification is a “bedrock principleâ€

[quote]“This goes a long way toward removing amnesty,â€

You know, I've come to the conclusion that Harry Reid and the rest of the Senate still don't realize just how pissed off we are. This movement is not going to be fooled by some stupid parlimentary gesture. If the Senate passes this albatros, we're not going to suddenly say, "Looks like we lost the fight. Guess we'll go home and watch Telemundo."

We're going to fight and fight and fight until we kill this bill. Then we're going to fight and fight and fight until we get a real fence built. Then we're going to fight and fight and fight until law enforcement does its job and enforces the law. Then come election day we're going to vote and vote and vote until we get rid of the idiot who tried to shove this piece of garbage down our throats! We're not doing this for money or power or fame, we're doing this for our kids and their kids. So that when they're older they won't ask us how this country was lost.

I'm glad we're not in it for the fame. I have a face for radio.

Time to rally!

Time to hit them HARD tomorrow!

I agree, no matter how many calls, faxes, emails, each of us have done, we have to redouble our efforts and HIT THEM HARD!!

FYI, regarding this head-spinning "clay pigeon" business Reid may try, here is some more info from the National Review Online:

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Monday, June 18, 2007

the corner

Worm turn on clay pigeon [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

Continuing the conversation of immigration and Senate process (scroll down to see jousting GOP aides this weekend), a former leadership aide e-mails:

The innovation here isn’t a divisible amendment. The right to divide an amendment is available to any member (if the amendment qualifies for division). The innovation is the Majority Leader using his majority power to make it happen POST-CLOTURE, and, in so doing, block out other amendments from being offered.

On immigration last year, Frist built a “clay pigeonâ€