Posted on 05/11/2006 10:27:58 AM PDT by jamese777
U.S. Senate leaders clear path for immigration bill
Thu May 11, 2006 12:32 PM ET
WASHINGTON, May 11 (Reuters) - Republican and Democratic Senate leaders agreed on Thursday on a plan to revive a bill that would give millions of illegal immigrants a chance to earn U.S. citizenship.
The sweeping immigration overhaul, which has triggered rallies by millions of immigrants and their supporters across the country, is expected to be considered by the Senate next week.
Despite the agreement between Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, the outcome of the legislation remains in doubt. It faces opposition from some Republicans who say it gives amnesty to people who broke U.S. laws.
Frist said opponents now will be allowed to offer "a considerable number of amendments" to the bill. In return, Democrats won an assurance that the bill's backers will have a input in eventual negotiations with the U.S. House of Representatives.
The House passed a tough border security bill that would further criminalize illegal presence in the United States and the two bills will have to be merged.
The House bill, which would make illegal presence a felony instead of a civil offense, has drawn huge protests around the country from Hispanic groups and their supporters.
Frist said he wants the Senate to finish work on the bill by the end of the month when Congress takes a week-long break for the Memorial Day holiday.
The legislation stalled just before Congress' Easter break last month when Democrats, worried that Republican opponents would try to gut the bill, blocked consideration of amendments and sought to limit their number. Even though some of those amendments now will go forward, backers feel they have the votes to defeat them.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat who has been pushing for the bipartisan immigration overhaul, said he was optimistic the Senate would pass the bill, which also includes a guest worker program backed by President George W. Bush.
"Today's agreement is a major step forward in our fight for tough but fair immigration reform," Kennedy said.
The Senate bill includes border security and enforcement measures, but also addresses the estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States. Millions would be given a chance to earn citizenship. The bill also includes a temporary worker program backed by President George W. Bush.
Anytime those two agree, you can bet the American people get screwed.
this is Bravo Sierra....when are REAL AMERICANS gonna wake up and get rid of these self serving MORONS who are killing America ????????
I think we need to wait for the details here. This is the Reuters interpretation.
Just as I expected. Another step backwards for the U.S.
This is not a compromise or an agreement...more like a capitulation.
If Frist and Reid are agreeing, then it's a bad bill. Especially when Bush met with those two a couple of weeks ago while excluding conservatives.
my fear is by the time we can vote these idiots out of office, the damage will have already been done. We still have 2 years b-4 a new prez and many months before 2006 elections. This bill is slated to be passed by the end of this month.
I feel that there has to be some sort of threat to our government officials that if they pass this amnesty bill, then ________ will immediately happen. The American people will need to fill in the blank.
Al JaReuters Alert! Not one word about the millions of illegal immigrants demonstrating, nor the millions of citizens who OPPOSE illegal immigration. What pukes they are at Reuters.
"Millions would be given a chance to earn citizenship. The bill also includes a temporary worker program backed by President George W. Bush."
Seems fair.
ARE THEY THIS UNBELIEVABLY STUPID!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS GOING TO BE AMNESTY!!!
IT MAKES CURRENT LAWS WEAKER!!!!
Earned citizenship EQUALS AMNESTY!!!!
OUTRAGED BEYOND BELIEF!!!
Bend over and grab thine ankles : )
I couldn't agree with you more. The people serving us in Washington are only interested in their VESTED rights and could care less about the American public who give them their paycheck. Politics, the fine art that keeps taking, taking and taking some more.
Substitute Frist's name for McCain's.
Frist has no sway here.
McCain/Specter/Martinez/Hagel/Linds arranged this sell out with Reid.
one question : what would thomas jefferson do ?
Frist-Reid Reach Accord
Were there a way to circumvent the eventual demise of any and all who would conspire to do that, it would be being considered as we speak.
In the end, some will have to perform, as did our Founding Fathers against England, but it won't be in my lifetime.
Should this post prove to be my suspension cause, so be it. I need a rest anyway. ;)
I does not matter what name is used, sold out for a few votes is sold out for a few votes.
"Seems fair."
_________________
To who? Certainly not to the millions of immigrants who have gone through the incredible hassle and expense to come here legally. Certainly not to the American people who expect their laws to be obeyed.
There is nothing fair about it in any way shape or form. We already have a path to earn citizenship...its called legal immigration under our CURRENT immigration laws, which do not need revision. This new path proposed by this bill is amnesty and will only encourage more illegal immigration, just like Reagan's amnesty did.
Republican and Democratic Senate leaders agreed on Thursday on a plan to revive a bill that would give millions of illegal immigrants a chance to earn U.S. citizenship.
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