The Senate, meanwhile, voted Wednesday to take up a bill to build a 700-mile fence along one-third of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Action on the fence, which could cost billions of dollars, comes four months after the Senate approved legislation that, along with tightening border security, created a guest worker program and outlined how people in the country illegally could work toward legal status and eventual citizenship.
President Bush has supported this broader approach, but it has met strong resistance in the House, where opponents have said it was tantamount to amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Bush, in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, said he would sign a fencebuilding bill as part of efforts to strengthen the border. But he added, "I would view this as an interim step. I don't view this as the final product. And I will keep urging people to have a comprehensive reform."
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said, "While I've made it clear that I prefer a comprehensive solution, I have always said we need an enforcement-first approach to immigration reform."
Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada countered, "We can build the tallest fence in the world and it won't fix our broken immigration system." To do that, he said, "we need the kind of comprehensive reform that the Senate passed earlier this year."
The current bill wouldn't provide funding to cover costs of the fencing and other barriers aimed at preventing illegal entry. About $1 billion for the fencing is likely to be included in a bill for the Department of Homeland Security that Congress is expected to approve before its scheduled adjournment next week for the elections.
the final product?
(shudder)
Reid, like Daschle, is a titty baby.
Dems running away from this issue as usual, they know Repubs are going them to hit them hard when it comes to the immigration issue.
Senate Advances 'Fence' Bill
WASHINGTON -- The Senate today gave up on comprehensive immigration reform and instead advanced a bill that would authorize a fence along one-third of the U.S. border with Mexico.
By a tally of 94 to 0, the Senate voted to limit debate on the bill to build a barrier to those trying to sneak across the border along two regions, one running from Calexico, Calif., to Douglas, Ariz., and the other in Laredo, Texas.
The fence bill is one piece of a broad bill that the House passed in July to curb immigration. The House, unable to win Senate support for its relatively punitive legislation, plans to break its bill into pieces and to send them to the Senate either as free-standing bills or as riders to spending bills. The fence bill is the first such piece.
Maybe,,Someday,,,Build The Damn Fence !
Hey Congress, here is an idea. Put a check box on the tax form for a $10 donation from our tax returns to fund the fence for each of the next 10 tax year returns.
I'm sure we could raise several billion by then.
This is confusing. I thought, last I heard, that the Senate had voted to not fund a fence...
THE SENATE ARE A WORTHLESS LOST OF POS's!!! They're being "lobbied" (to put it nicely) by representatives from Mexico as we speak.
Why pay any attention to them?
Our immigration laws are not being enforced and, without the WALL that we needed decades ago, we don't even have a BORDER!
Hasta la vista, U.S.A.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said, "While I've made it clear that I prefer a comprehensive solution, I have always said we need an enforcement-first approach to immigration reform."
If it doesn't deal with anchor babies, it isn't comperehensive.
We need to keep a very close eye on this one.
Complete with amnesty. I am amazed at how many Americans demand a fence. simply because the Federal government has failed to perform the job that they are tasked, and funded, to perform. Where is the hue and cry over a "land grab" to build a useless fence/wall on private property? How about imposing upon MEXICO the responsibility to administer their side of the border? Or build a freakin wall on the south side of the border. If it is so effective.
"Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada countered, "We can build the tallest fence in the world and it won't fix our broken immigration system." To do that, he said, "we need the kind of comprehensive reform that the Senate passed earlier this year." "
I say this in response to Sen. Hugo Reid: We spend much more than a couple Billion bucks a year providing health care, schooling, law enforcement, etc. as a result of these illegals. Building a wall will not keep out everyone; on that single point you are right, Sen. Hugo. However, it will keep the Mama and the bambino's out since they won't want to risk the wall. If Papa is in the U.S. illegally, most of those Papas will go back to Mexico to be with Mama and the bambinos. If the entire family is here, they won't leave. Pretty tough to figure out, isn't it?
BUILD THE WALL!!! The costs avoided will pay for the wall inside of one year and the on-going problem will be greatly diminished - look at the Israeli situation.
Here's the "final product" I would like to see:
1) An effective security fence along the entire length of the US-Mexico border, provided with adequate personnel and surveillance equipment.
2) Sufficient detention facilities to house captured illegals prior to their deportation.
3) An effective ID system for legal immigrants (yes, and "guest workers") and a system for verification of US citizenship made accessible to prospective employers.
4) Heavy punnishment for employers who knowingly hire illegals.
5) All immigrants screened for contageous disease, criminal record, membership in the ROP.
6) US citizen or employer sponsrship for all immigrants Guest workers may stay as long as they have employment.
7) Welfare payments of any kind except for (certain) emergency medical care until a US citizen will not be provided.
8) Valid ID must be possessed at all times. If issued a drivers license, such license must identify the possessor as a non-US-citizen.
9) May not vote in US elections.
10)Failure to comply with above results in deportation following one hearing and one appeal to be conducted within three months.