Thread: CSpan2 - Arlen Specter speaking on Immigration

11:22am Pacific - Play by play follows (summary only)

Giving background and much history about current situation vs. last year's bill

Called current policy 'unmitigated disaster'.

Noted that meetings have been held since Fed 13 - by 10-12 senators, + Sec Commerce, Sec. DHS. Many of these were all-day long meetings

Republicans met first, then held bipartisan meetings.

Just mentioned the 'Grand Bargain' - coined by Sen. Graham (SC)

Now speaking about 'real border security'.

The need for a fence.

Need for employer verification - to determine status.

Need for employer enforcement/sanctions

Claims a mechanism for dealing with 12 million 'undocumented'

Says the program won't be 'amnesty' - outlined conditions, requirements,
- including 'touch-back' provision (!), back taxes, and guest - worker program.

(Basically, this is amnesty just like last year, repackaged with different descriptions)

23 meetings held over last 3 months.

Referring to press conf yesterday, Sen. Reid, noted that last 2 months that new Sen. Bill to be taken in last 2 weeks before Memorial Day recess.
(quoted comment by Reid)

Claims Senate has worked 'tenaciously'.


So-called stakeholders want more than what is available:
want more green cards, advantages of family admission/re-unification,

People are descending from 'all sides' - opposition from House - even before legislation is even fielded.

Strong - bipartisan opposition to amnesty - from House member.

Specter - 'it is not amnesty.'

Hoping filibuster would not be employed (by opposition).

Claims filibuster use would 'doom immigration reform'


If last year's bill brought to floor, it would face signficant opposition

Talking about senate scheduling.... how , when to bring it up.

etc.

Blah, blah, blah...

Talking about abandonment of traditional committee process .

Need to Flush out "Grand Compromise"

Need to bring 11 million illegal immigrants 'out of the shadows'.
-Traditional American way is to 'Welcome Immigrants'


'Last best chance' - invites all sides to reconsider current position, and future prospects for 'reform'

Going to speak on the "Grand Bargain" - to consider proposal for "Grand Bargain"

Now current speaker is Sen. Schumer (NY)

Schumer is back to discussing court judge nominees.

This concludes today's CSpan live reporting. I hope you enjoyed the show.

Being from Pa, I just called Specter's office and let them know exactly what I thought of Specter's shamnesty.
I ended with letting them know if the Democracts get amnesty thru, they will use it to get the votes of these people and the republicans can rest assured hell will freeze over before they ever get back control of the government.