Majority Leader Reid (Democrat) Close to Reviving Senate Immigration Bill

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will approve a new deal on immigration on Thursday and move to bring the once-dead legislation back to the Senate floor next week, Democratic sources told FOX News.

[...]

The principal change to the bipartisan immigration compromise that Reid shelved last week is the addition of $4.4 billion in added border security spending. That money will be added to the base bill to return to the floor. Any other changes to the immigration bill will have to be made through the amendment process.

The base immigration bill seeks to tighten border security, put an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants on a path to permanent residency and create a temporary worker program.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,282593,00.html

[JoeMama 0]

####### is wrong with this guy? Isn't it obvious that the majority of Americans do not want this bill? He must be pushing it this hard because he's probably going to become a billionaire and live in Mexico not long from now! Azzwipe!

[peejay 327]

Rotten fish stinks no matter how much ketchup is put on it.

This legislation stinks and $4 billion doesn't help the smell.

[Scott & Lai 12]

####### is wrong with this guy? Isn't it obvious that the majority of Americans do not want this bill? He must be pushing it this hard because he's probably going to become a billionaire and live in Mexico not long from now! Azzwipe!

These @ss #013$ don't give a $h!t what the American citizens want

[Mirorgate 0]

The part that this article doesnt mention is the dropping of the fines levied against the illegals. Bush dropped that to get this border $$ added in. Stupid fackers... the lot of the.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It becomes more and more obvious that we need a third party in this country. An alternative that will actually work for the people once again. I am just disgusted with these slimeys in the Senate - on both sides of the aisle.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I am sure their internal polling shows that this is a winning move for the long-term future of their party.

[JoeMama 0]

It becomes more and more obvious that we need a third party in this country. An alternative that will actually work for the people once again. I am just disgusted with these slimeys in the Senate - on both sides of the aisle.

I'm with you on this one! A 3rd or 4th party would be fine with me! These 2 parties are no longer effective in managing this country whatsoever. It's time they were ousted! Enough is enough!

Edited June 15, 2007 by JoeMama

[Portlander 0]

"Democratic sources told FOX News"?

FOX is the king of "Some people say" references. They throw out something rediculous and preface it by saying "Some people say." The are partisan hacks themselves. If this came from a real media outlet I'd believe it.

From everything I can tell, the bill is totally, 110% dead in the water. Bush is still pushing it, but he doesn't have to wrry about being re-lelected, and his poll approval numbers can't get much lower. The bill still has its supporters, R + D alike, but now is not the time for any of them to stand up and support it. that doesn't make sense.

I truly hope that the Rs nominate Mitt Romney, as that would split the R party in 2 because he's a Mormon. The Democrats could certainly stand to be split up themselves. I'd almost prefer not to have any party system at all ... just let the most qualified candidates stand on their own 2 feet. Why is this not possible?

[GaryC 7]

"Democratic sources told FOX News"?

FOX is the king of "Some people say" references. They throw out something rediculous and preface it by saying "Some people say." The are partisan hacks themselves. If this came from a real media outlet I'd believe it.

From everything I can tell, the bill is totally, 110% dead in the water. Bush is still pushing it, but he doesn't have to wrry about being re-lelected, and his poll approval numbers can't get much lower. The bill still has its supporters, R + D alike, but now is not the time for any of them to stand up and support it. that doesn't make sense.

You need to get over yourself. Foxnews is just as valid as any other news service. But if you must have another source then here you are.

Senators vow to revive immigration bill

By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent 9 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Senate leaders vowed Thursday night to revive stalled immigration legislation as soon as next week, capping a furious rescue attempt led by President Bush.

The decision, announced by Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record) of Nevada and his Republican counterpart, Sen. Mitch McConnell (news, bio, voting record) of Kentucky, envisions a final vote on the complex bill before lawmakers begin their Fourth of July vacation.

The legislation has generated intense controversy, particularly for provisions that could lead to eventual citizenship for many of the estimated 12 million immigrants now in the country unlawfully. The bill also calls for greater border security and a crackdown on the hiring of illegal employees.

Critics of the measure succeeded in sidetracking it last week, and given their continued opposition, the decision to bring it back for more debate does not necessarily portend passage.

Reid and McConnell announced their plans in a brief, two sentence statement that capped days of private negotiations by key senators as well as Bush's personal involvement.

"We met this evening with several of the senators involved in the immigration bill negotiations," they said. Based on that discussion, the immigration bill will return to the Senate floor after completion of an unrelated energy measure now undergoing debate.

At the White House, spokesman Scott Stanzel said, "We are encouraged by the announcement from Senate leaders that comprehensive immigration reform will be brought back up for consideration."

Two days ago, Bush made a rare visit to the Capitol for a meeting with Republican senators, where he urged them to give the bill a second chance. Earlier on Thursday, responding to a request from pivotal GOP senators, he threw his support behind a plan for $4.4 billion in immediate funding for "securing our borders and enforcing our laws at the work site."

Precise details of the rescue plan were not immediately disclosed.

In general, according to officials familiar with the discussions, Republicans and Democrats will each have 10-12 opportunities to amend the measure, with the hope that they would then combine to provide the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster by die-hard opponents.

Officials said the Bush-backed plan for accelerated funding would be among the changes to be voted on. So, too, a proposal by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (news, bio, voting record), R-Texas, to toughen a requirement for illegal immigrants to return to their home country before gaining legal status.

But in a gauge of the complexity of the rescue effort, officials said the Senate's decision last week to terminate a temporary worker program after five years would likely not be subject to change before a vote on final passage. Many of the bill's strongest supporters opposed the five-year provision when it came to a vote last week.

Also to be protected from immediate change is a requirement to give enforcement agencies access to information that immigrants provide on their applications for legal status.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, saying the negotiations had been conducted in private.

"We're going to show the American people that the promises in this bill will be kept," Bush said, two days after launching a personal rescue mission.

Any agreement was ultimately subject to approval by Reid, who has said repeatedly it was up to Bush and Republicans to line up the votes needed to advance the measure if it was to be brought back to the Senate for debate. Reid, who has expressed misgivings about elements of the bill, sidetracked it last week after supporters gained only 45 of the 60 votes needed.

Republicans accounted for only seven of the 45 votes, and Reid said earlier this week, "We'll move on to immigration when they have their own act together."

Bush's decision to personally announce support for the accelerated funding reflected concerns expressed by Republican senators at a closed-door meeting on Tuesday. Several told him their constituents doubted the government was capable of following through on a commitment to enforce immigration laws.

In a letter sent to Bush before the meeting, Georgia Republican Sens. Saxby Chambliss (news, bio, voting record) and Johnny Isakson (news, bio, voting record) wrote, "This lack of trust is rooted in the mistakes made in 1986, and the continued chaos surrounding our immigration laws. Understandably, the lack of credibility the federal government has on this issue gives merit to the skepticism of many about future immigration reform."

Under the legislation as drafted, money for border enforcement would be collected gradually as illegal immigrants pay the fines and fees needed to achieve legal status. The letter asked Bush to secure the border before other elements of the immigration measure go into effect, and the president agreed in his remarks to the Associated Builders and Contractors.

"One common concern is whether the government will provide the resources to meet the goals in the bill. They say, `It's fine to talk about it, are you actually going to do something?'" he said.

"To answer these concerns I support an amendment that will provide $4.4 billion in immediate additional funding for securing our borders and enforcing our laws at the work site," he said.

"By matching our benchmarks with these critical funds, we're going to show the American people that the promises in this bill will be kept."

Two Republican supporters of the legislation, Sens. Lindsey Graham (news, bio, voting record) of South Carolina and Jon Kyl (news, bio, voting record) of Arizona, had previously proposed advanced funding.

"The moment the presidential signing pen meets the paper these funds will be available," Graham said in a statement welcoming Bush's remarks.

But Sen. Jim DeMint (news, bio, voting record), R-S.C., who opposes the legislation, took a different view. "I appreciate the effort to fund border security, but there's simply no reason why we should be forced to tie amnesty to it."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070615/ap_on_...ush_immigration

[Portlander 0]

Yup - that one is live. I'm not saying there aren't plenty of Dems who are bought and sold! There most surely are.

Re FOX News:

What would you think of a news service that was headed by James Carville? Roger Ailes, Bush's campaign manager is in charge of FOX. You might remeber his work, the Willie Horton ads during the Bush Sr-Dukakis race in '88. (actually to be fair, that was both Ailes and Bush Jr. working together to make that one) Ailes has been a paid Republican operative at least since Nixon. Hardly fair and balanced. You'll hear me say the same thing about Mother Jones. They are equally partisan.

Just as a little example, Republicans make up 89% of FOX's partisan guests. Have you ever seen any of their internal memos?

It pays to know who is talking to you. check out SourceWatch

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Fox_News

In any case, I hope the thing dies a horrible death.

[almaty 19]

I am sure their internal polling shows that this is a winning move for the long-term future of their party.

I agree, they want to be the Abe lincoln to the Hispanic future voters...40 million strong...a voting block control many electoral college numbers

good idea...for them....i am sure it is a major factor..

[Portlander 0]

Yup. bound to be true.

I am not opposed with a path to legality for illegals in and of itself - I think having a way for them to become legal and pay their taxes and get 'on the books' has a lot of potential for doing good. Its one thing to take a moral stance on something but it doesn't do anyone any good to ignore the reality of the situation.

This way isn't it, though. The best way to deal with immigration is with Fair Trade laws, not Free Trade laws. Thats best for us and the best for them. Creating an Guest Worker Program ("Indentured Servant Program") ruins our middle class.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

You need to get over yourself. Foxnews is just as valid as any other news service. But if you must have another source then here you are.

Its must be nice to pull your blindfold down long enough to see what you want!

Hear the word FOX and close into your shell? Now there is a open mind?

Edited June 27, 2007 by CarolsMarc

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I am sure their internal polling shows that this is a winning move for the long-term future of their party.

I agree, they want to be the Abe lincoln to the Hispanic future voters...40 million strong...a voting block control many electoral college numbers

good idea...for them....i am sure it is a major factor..

Most Hispanics in the US don't vote. Most who do vote aren't Hispanic. There is growing vocal opposition among legal Hispanics to Hispanic being defined by and equated with illegals, and to ethno-centric groups being presented as speaking for them. Just as the spring 2006 protest marches of the illegals waving the Mexican flag awakened Americans to the audacity and entitlement exhibited by these people, the expectation that Latinos are "naturally" in favor of amnesty is also being denounced. Personally, I know very few Latinos who support this effort.

Edited June 27, 2007 by Green-eyed girl