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Deal struck on immigration bill (in the Senate, now over to the House for action)
AP on Yahoo ^ | 5/17/07 | Julie Hirschfeld Davis - ap

Posted on 05/17/2007 10:16:31 AM PDT by NormsRevenge

WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of senators reached agreement with the White House Thursday on an immigration overhaul to grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. and fortify the border against new ones.

One of the key negotiators, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said he expects President Bush to endorse it.

The deal came after weeks of painstaking closed-door negotiations that brought the most liberal Democrats and the most conservative Republicans together with Bush's Cabinet officers to produce a highly complex measure that carries heavy political consequences.

It set the stage for what promises to be a bruising battle next week in the Senate on one of Bush's top non-war priorities.

This is a breaking news update. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican and Democratic senators huddled Thursday trying to close in on an immigration compromise to grant quick legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants while fortifying U.S. borders against new ones.

A group of lawmakers that has been haggling over the terms of agreement for weeks were reviewing language negotiated Wednesday night in efforts to nail down a deal. Among the final sticking points was a stubborn dispute over how much family ties count toward green cards under a new "point system." The plan prioritizes advanced skills and education levels for future immigrants.

Two of the lead negotiators, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Lindsey Graham (news, bio, voting record), R-S.C., booked time for Thursday afternoon in the Senate's radio-TV gallery for an announcement.

But Kennedy said some were hanging back as an agreement inched closer.

"There are just some people who don't want to close on this. There comes a time in every negotiation where people have to close," Kennedy said. "Today is it."

Kennedy said Thursday was likely the last chance for a compromise before senators scattered for a three-day weekend.

"The immigration reform legislation has come to a boiling point," Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., said just before going into Thursday's meeting. "We've tried to come to a consensus and I think we are very, very close, but every time we grasp it, it eludes a final resolution."

If no deal emerged, Senate Democrats were to vote Monday evening to bring up an immigration measure that passed last year over the objections of most Republicans, who have said they will block it. That would be a highly partisan start to the immigration debate, which divides the two parties and exposes fissures within their ranks.

Even with a bipartisan agreement, the immigration debate could easily devolve into a free-for-all in the unruly Senate.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., has said he wants to complete a bill before Memorial Day, and President Bush says he wants to sign one by summer's end.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Government; Mexico
KEYWORDS: aliens; amnesty; buildthewall; bushamnesty; bushobl; cw11; cw2; deal; illegals; immigrantlist; immigration; nau; struck; traitors
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1 posted on 05/17/2007 10:16:34 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
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To: NormsRevenge

Make my day.


2 posted on 05/17/2007 10:17:07 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Greed is NOT a conservative ideal.)
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To: NormsRevenge

I was about to post this. This is a travesty. Rush said today that we will almost definately lose in 2008 over this. Sadly, I agree.


3 posted on 05/17/2007 10:17:46 AM PDT by TheRiverNile
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To: NormsRevenge
IT's AMENSTY !

Americans have been SOLD OUT !


4 posted on 05/17/2007 10:19:00 AM PDT by traditional1
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To: NormsRevenge

There’s a new Numbers USA fax to send.

http://www.numbersusa.com/index


5 posted on 05/17/2007 10:19:17 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Greed is NOT a conservative ideal.)
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To: NormsRevenge

Unbelievable.


6 posted on 05/17/2007 10:19:20 AM PDT by SE Mom (Proud mom of an Iraq war combat vet -Fred'08)
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To: NormsRevenge

Amnesty. Pure and simple.


7 posted on 05/17/2007 10:19:21 AM PDT by theDentist (Qwerty ergo typo : I type, therefore I misspelll.)
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To: cripplecreek

The beginning of the end of the two party system.
Welcome Big Brother, and my I say gretings to our new alien oversears.

Canadian online pharmacies are expecting a big run on Preparation H as the American taxpayer takes it again.


8 posted on 05/17/2007 10:19:45 AM PDT by Waverunner
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To: 1_Inch_Group; 2sheep; 2Trievers; 3AngelaD; 3pools; 3rdcanyon; 4Freedom; 4ourprogeny; 7.62 x 51mm; ..

ping


9 posted on 05/17/2007 10:19:46 AM PDT by gubamyster
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To: traditional1
What are the details?
10 posted on 05/17/2007 10:20:01 AM PDT by sr4402
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To: NormsRevenge

Rush: “This bill is worse than doing nothing it all. It’s already bad enough...”


11 posted on 05/17/2007 10:20:19 AM PDT by TheRiverNile
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To: TheRiverNile

I know I will never vote for anyone who supports this.


12 posted on 05/17/2007 10:20:46 AM PDT by Hydroshock (Duncan Hunter For President, checkout gohunter08.com.)
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To: NormsRevenge

Bipartisan is politician for backroom, closed door agreement.


13 posted on 05/17/2007 10:20:50 AM PDT by RightWhale (Repeal the Treaty)
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To: theDentist

All animals are equal, but those in the US Congress
being much more equal than all others
will do ANYTHING to perpetuate their power.
Even burning down the farm.
Even bringing in (and ignoring) epidemic murders, rapes, kidnappings,
and, of course, infectious hepatitis,incurable tuberculosis, typhoid, cholera, mumps,
Chagas disease, leprosy, incurable Morgellons disease, and and Dengue fever.


14 posted on 05/17/2007 10:21:03 AM PDT by Diogenesis (Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum)
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To: NormsRevenge

This will become the NUMBER ONE issue in 2008. Which candidate will jump on it? By opposing amnesty and open borders we can attract union members, blue collar workers, and minorities over to our side if the issue is properly framed.


15 posted on 05/17/2007 10:22:02 AM PDT by darth
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To: NormsRevenge

BYOL

[Bring your own lube]


16 posted on 05/17/2007 10:22:02 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: Diogenesis

bttt


17 posted on 05/17/2007 10:23:13 AM PDT by Guenevere (Duncan Hunter for President, 2008!!)
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To: NormsRevenge
Note to GWB
Remember:
"Read my lips, No new taxes"
"Assualt Weapons Ban"
The last election results

If this passes, this will be the end of the Republican Party.

18 posted on 05/17/2007 10:23:18 AM PDT by Zathras
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To: darth

2008 won’t matter, it will be too late, the damage done.


19 posted on 05/17/2007 10:23:38 AM PDT by sheana
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To: sr4402
Try here (Washington Times)

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20060512-120833-1003r.htm

20 posted on 05/17/2007 10:24:02 AM PDT by traditional1
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