Thread: Senate GOP votes down 'amnesty' bill

Senate GOP votes down 'amnesty' bill
The Washington Times
April 7, 2006

Senate Republicans killed an immigration bill yesterday that they said would grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens and then cast doubt on the fate of a new bill that would grant the same amnesty to a slightly smaller portion of illegals. "We've made huge progress," Majority Leader Bill Frist said of the new bill, co-sponsored by Republican Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Mel Martinez of Florida, that would give a direct path to citizenship for workers who have resided illegally in the U.S. for five years or more. But by nightfall, hopes for a deal had dimmed considerably over Democrats' refusal to consider Republican amendments. "I believe there are some people who would rather have no bill," said Mr. Martinez, whose compromise bill had visibly thrilled Democrats earlier in the day. "We're looking like we're going to be able to dance," Minority Leader Harry Reid enthused in an impromptu morning press conference with Mr. Frist. Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, and John McCain, Arizona Republican -- the co-authors of the bill that Republicans blocked yesterday -- pronounced the new compromise a victory and said in a joint statement that they are "proud" to join in support of it. But as the day wore on, staffers on Capitol Hill and lobbyists interested in the issue read through the 525 pages of legislation. By late last night, leaders on both sides of the aisle told reporters that they were highly doubtful that the Hagel-Martinez legislation would survive a vote scheduled for today. If the compromise does not garner enough votes to move forward, senators will have an opportunity to give conservatives what they've always wanted by voting on a border-security-only bill introduced last month by Mr. Frist. Unlike other Senate proposals, such a bill would meet little resistance.

Full story

IMMIGRATION REFORM SCORECARD


U.S HOUSE ----

Sensenbrenner Bill --- Passed

Greater penalties for employers who hire illegals, 700 miles of fence, felony to be in the US illegaly.

Republicans: 203 YES....16 NO
Democrats: 39 YES....160 NO



U.S SENATE

Kennedy - McCain Amnesty Bill ---Blocked/Defeated

Gives Amnesty to many illegals

Republicans 55 NO
Democrats 39 Yes.....5 NO


Hagel-Martinez Comprimise BIll

Provides amensty...but less than Kennedy-McCain

Vote is Today......Expected to be defeated.



Frist Bill

Deals with Securing the Border Only....and has no amnesty provisions.

Will probably be voted on and may pass it Hagel-Martinez is defeated.

US parties agree immigration deal

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4885672.stm

There have been a series of protests against tougher laws
Republicans and Democrats in the US Senate have reached a last-minute compromise on a new immigration bill.
The breakthrough could clear the way for approval of legislation granting millions of illegal immigrants the right to stay in the US.

President George Bush said he was encouraged by the development.

The deal, which came after weeks of wrangling, now requires a full Senate vote that could take place before Friday night.

"I'm pleased that Republicans and Democrats in the United States Senate are working together to get a comprehensive immigration bill," President Bush said in a statement welcoming the accord.

Various requirements

The deal would allow illegal immigrants who arrived in the US five years ago or more to be allowed to stay subject to various criteria, including a criminal background check.

Those who have lived in the US for less than five years but more than two years would be able to get a temporary work visa ( amnesty ) - but they first must leave the country and would be fingerprinted and processed on their return.

They would be given priority in applying for US residency over future immigrants entering as temporary workers.

However, under the bill, millions of illegal immigrants who have been in the country for less than two years would be required to return to their countries of origin.

Conservative senator Sam Brownback called the immigration debate "probably the most divisive issue in America today".

"I hope this compromise ends up bringing us together, and I believe it can," he said.

It seems to me that the amnesty for people that have been here for 2 years and up, wil go on. It took me 13 years to get a Green Card, but border jumpers that have been here for2 years will receive amnesty.
I'm speechless.

Asam

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/acompromise

For illegal migrants, time in US may define status By Gail Russell Chaddock, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
Fri Apr 7, 4:00 AM ET

WASHINGTON - In a move that stunned official Washington, Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a compromise Thursday on an immigration bill that had looked certain to fail.

With hundreds of thousands of immigrants and their supporters poised for street demonstrations Monday in many US cities, the pressure was on both sides to find a path to citizenship for at least some of the 12 million living here illegally.

"They looked into the abyss and saw this whole thing falling apart and realized they needed to get something done over a serious issue," says Marshall Wittmann, an analyst with the Democratic Leadership Council. "It was a rare moment of government at its best, and it's not clear how long it will last."

For nearly two weeks, Democrats had blocked all but three votes on amendments to a bipartisan bill that had emerged from the Senate Judiciary Committee. Democrats said they wanted a straight vote on the Judiciary bill, before heading into a tough conference over a House immigration-control bill focused on enforcement and border security. The House bill does not include a path to legalization or citizenship.

The new plan, offered by Senate majority leader Bill Frist late Wednesday, offers a path to legalization for some but not all those currently in the US illegally.

While final details were not available, in general, the compromise would require illegal immigrants who have been in the United States between two years and five years to return to their home countries briefly, then re-enter as temporary workers. They could then begin a process of seeking citizenship.

Illegal immigrants who've been here longer than five years would not be required to return home. Those in the country less than two years would be required to leave without assurances of returning, and take their place in line with others seeking entry papers.

Not everyone was satisfied. A spokesman for Sen. John Cornyn (news, bio, voting record) said the Texas Republican was opposed to the plan. There was no immediate reaction from GOP Sens. Jon Kyl of Arizona or Jeff Sessions of Alabama, two other prominent critics of earlier proposals dealing with illegal immigrants.

Other thorny issues remain to be clarified. Senate leaders had yet to unveil draft legislation to make sure that only legal workers are hired in the future, for one.

Though President Bush was expected to give his nod to the Senate compromise later Thursday, reaction from the House of Representatives was less predictable.

Even so, a celebratory news conference by Senate leaders Thursday underlined the expectation that senators could pass the most sweeping immigration bill in two decades, and act before leaving for a two-week vacation at the end of the week.

"We have a great opportunity to deliver to the American people what they expect, what they deserve" - a bill that includes both enforcement and a program to deal with those already in the country illegally, said Senator Frist.

As outlined, the measure would provide for enhanced border security, regulate the future flow of immigrants into the US, and offer legal status to millions of men, women, and children here unlawfully.

I know some here want to be pessimistic about everything, but that BBC article was from early yesterday, when everyone was praising the compromise. Since then the democrats won't allow the republicans to bring on their 20+ amendments, only three or six of them, meaning the bill is going to collaspe due to the republican filibuster of the bill since they can't file and vote on their amendments.

Some here just never can be satisfied. McCain-Kennedy is dead and Hagel-Martinez, the "compromise" will die too. Frist's bill increasing legal immigration too much, but still secures the border and contains no guest worker amnesty. It's looking more and more like we'll get a border security bill with no guest worker amnesty, though it won't be as strong as the current house bill.