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.
If it gets through the house, we will need a 4 million man march on the white house. I mean, close it down!
Seems fair to the hard-working immigrants who have already settled here.
I glanced over at the title a momment just to make sure it didn't say First Reich.
The Congress is our only hope.
I just sent this email to Frist:
Dear Senator Frist:
From what I've heard, you're a nice man and a fine physician. Sadly, at least for your electoral aspirations, you are not going to make much of a presidential candidate or even a senate re-election candidate after your agreement with Mr. Reid on an immigration bill which is little more than an amnesty bill. The American people, Republicans and Democrats will not support anyone for president who shows such disregard for our sovereignty, the rule of law and basic fairness.
If I was you, I wouldn't waste any money on any "exploratory" trips to Iowa or New Hamshire.
Regretably,
It better die. Because if doesn't, a tsunami of families from Mexico will be flooding in.....even faster than they are coming now.
what would thomas jefferson do ?
BOHICA!!!
Who would have ever thought that the downfall of the United States, i.e., our Republic, would come from inside our borders. Our own elected officials are betraying us, allowing an invading force to take control of our government and ultimately jeopordizing the safety and lives of the American People without even a shot being fired.
Truly, the fall of Rome in the 21st century.
The Congress is our only hope.
The AP version:
Senators Reach Deal to Revive Immigration Bill
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1630510/posts
From MSNBC.com:
Deal Reached to Revive Immigration Bill in Senate (Dems and RINOs unite)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1630506/posts
and then say... Thank you Sir, may I have another!
Senator Bohica Frist.
Yes, when the Senate is referred to in the article, and I say "Congress", I mean the lower house.
If Reid is in agreement then it's time to get the lube.
Thanks. Not very comforting.
I hope the grant them amnesty but require they move into your neighborhood.
L
BOHICA indeed
You know deep down inside it means Harry Reid has come up with an immigration plan. - tom
And some folks wanna keep sending folks like Frist back to Congress just 'cause they're 'Pubbies.
Let the GOP lose if they won't do the job. Its the only message they might understand.
It certainly does matter who the power in the Senate is.
Addressing complaints to an impotent Senator that has the title of Majority Leader accomplishes...what? Not that McMaverick gives a damn about complaints, but I intend the real power brokers of this sell out be tagged for it.
McCain wants to be President and Linds wants to tag along. Brownback wants to be President. I want this around their bloated beltway necks when they attempt to pretend they weren't the shakers that brought amnesty forward.
"Seems fair to the hard-working immigrants who have already settled here."
________________________________
Oh I see, and it would be unfair to them to enforce our immigration laws and make them come here legally because they broke our laws and settled here.
Real logical line of thought /sarcasm
After they get amnesty, they won't be "illegal".
Hey, I didn't write the bill. You may want to complain to those responsible.
It may not be a good compromise but at least it gets it to committee where the House side can knock some sense into the Senate.
This invasion will be the end of this nation if we are not careful. Swift action must be taken and if Amnesty is granted a flood that will dwarf the current one shall be swept upon us. They are selling us out...Demoncrats and Republicans all guided by an unseen hand.
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