Thread: US Senate CSpan2 Reports (near real-time) 1:00pm ET 5/21/07

Discusses ambiguity of rewarding de facto low-skilled workers in consideration, vs. explicit need for high-skilled workers in process.

Undermines merit-based system.


References Sen Kennedy, "Grand Compromise"...

- 'only 30% of those entering would be based on merit '. ... to assure pro-illegal faction.


Mentions Z visa:

Gives legal status to current illegals. "no special path to citizenship'. Presentation said: holder would be available to apply for visa.

Ineligible for adjustment of status. Have to return home for consideration.


Does current bill provided on Sat at 2am do this? No.

New bill - current illegal aliens are treated differently than those that tried to come here legally. Those that came illegally should not receive same benefits as those that came lawfully.

To give every benefit of citizenship - is not the 'right thing'.

We should not treat the illegal alien preferentially.

1. Illegal aliens that came after 2004 will be allowed to stay - unlike last year's bill! (He's fired up here!!!!)
Proponents say: 'illegals' have deep roots', not true. Same benefits provided as those that came legally and played by the rules.

2. Lawful applications for GC have to reapply if they applied after .5-1-2005

3. IAs : only will be able to apply for Z visa. Special point system possible to later adjust status. No numerical limited defined.
Will have to return when visa expires (but will they?)

4. IAs may be exonerated / ignored several US federal laws about document fraud, previous removal orders, etc. - if they can show hardship imposed on families, etc.


Summarizes comments - lawless system, broken system, arrest at border 1.1 million people - because 'we don't enforce our laws'.

Will we create a system that is lawful or not? New legislation must actually work. Former bills have always had loopholes, and were impractical.

*** "It' is time to listen to the American people". ***


Yielding Floor to Sen Bunning (R-KY):..

(Transcriber takes a break! - fingers are tired).

PhredE,
Thanks so much for keeping us updated.

You betcha, glad I could help!

Anyone recall off the top of their head how Sen Bunning voted on S2611 last year?

If he has come around and seen the light (Voted Yes on S2611) then he deserves many nice congratulatory phone calls as he is speaking in support of Sessions position right now.

Session and Bunning - an awesome job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Called both offices asked their staff to thank them for fighting for America.

Originally Posted by PhredE

Anyone recall off the top of their head how Sen Bunning voted on S2611 last year?

If he has come around and seen the light (Voted Yes on S2611) then he deserves many nice congratulatory phone calls as he is speaking in support of Sessions position right now.

I believe there was a press release or article last night that said NO on cloture.

Haven't been able to find it for my updates either

Originally Posted by American

PLEASE KEEP POSTING FOR THOSE OF US AT WORK.

THANK YOU!!!!!!

Agreed. This is great!

Originally Posted by PhredE

Anyone recall off the top of their head how Sen Bunning voted on S2611 last year?

If he has come around and seen the light (Voted Yes on S2611) then he deserves many nice congratulatory phone calls as he is speaking in support of Sessions position right now.

Sen. Bunning NO on S 2611

Originally Posted by girlygirl369

Session and Bunning - an awesome job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Called both offices asked their staff to thank them for fighting for America.

Girlygirl have you been posting the information you have been getting from your phone calls? if not here is the link to get involved with everyone else get all the updated scoop over there!!

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... sc&start=0

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... sc&start=0

Bunning - just brought up idea of making the clerk read every sentence in the new bill. (Which might be justified as they are substituting one bill for the old one - in it's path toward official passage).

"Let's not rush the process".

Bill requires detailed examination.

Yielding floor back to Sessions...


Sen Sessions:

I hope everyone collected the import of what he just said...

Referring to Heritage Found. Study - R. Rector:

In his opinion: $2.3trillion USD net loss to US treasury if 12.5 million receive amnesty (1/2 of whom are not HS graduates).

Bunning speaking from other podium...

I know how desperate some people are in KY, ... people have got to be here in a legal form. They cannot be cheating to get those jobs. I don't think this bill gets us 'there'.


Sessions Speaks:

Refers to examples: Canada, Aust, New Zealand, etc.

Yielding floor to Sen Vitter (R-LA):



Vitter Speaks:

I rise to strongly oppose the vote on measure to be voted on.

Opposes the huge rush to push the bill through so quickly.

Thanks Sen. Sessions for ensuring careful process - American people deserve it.

I have not had adequte time to review legislation. As of monday, being asked to vote on motion to proceed (Cloture). I know of 16 fellow senators that want to require 1 week prior notice to consider bill.

This bill was not available to anyone until 2am Saturday.

800-900 pages, maybe 1000 in proper bill form, no committee markups, no formal language, etc. - these are all problems.

Reid - urging rush to consider before Mem. Day.... with no estimate of cost, no CBO score, etc. - urges senators to vote against rush to vote - vote NO on cloture. Urges Senators to carefully consider any bill on subject.

Why are we in this current rush?
Answer: pol. answer - America people do understand what is in the bill.
Politicians would have to react - that is reason for the rush.

Biggest item - Z visa aspect. It would grant amnesty to millions of IAs.
"Z Visa Amnesty". It IS amnesty. rewards lawbreaking, does not require return homeland.

** Wants to offer text to amend bill to strike Z visa from bill. **

We should not rush a bill through. 800+ pages is too much, and too important to rush through legislative process.

Cost - Not known. No estimates done (by gov't, CBO).

Majority leader pushing for final consideration of bill this week.

Founding fathers did not intend *this* to be legislative process.

Bill - is a 'massive' bill. Citizens should have chance to review and comment on bill.

Asks fellow Senators - is this good template for future leg. process?
No, can't be right way.

More time - just to read it is necessary. Need time to hear feedback from American people. CBO score necessary to understand fiscal impact.

Clearly 'something is up' with the rush to push this through before Mem.
Day. etc.

On any key bill (1000+ pg bill), the right way is to proceed systematically, slowly - not hastily and in a rushed way.

Urges No vote on motion to proceed (cloture). Respect American people enough to give 'em time to review it.

Yields floor to Sessions...


Sen. Sessions:

Thanks Sen. Vitter...