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.
Spiff, a brilliant response, I salute you!!
Registered was NOT the creator of that image, he's been banned from this site, and his work is not allowed to be posted here.
The creator of the image was a former FReeper named Prime Choice. He left Free Republic and stopped creating his wonderful images to devote full time to his family. Registered has been a constant enabler of the illegal alien agenda and has created numerous images defaming such groups as the Minuteman Project and others.
Here's the image that I've been posting all day.
“It is asinine to have Americans dying in Iraq when we have just given away America and all it stands for to an illegal alien horde and a profiteering political elite.”
I’ve thought about this a lot recently and came to the same conclusion you did.
Many people have fought and died for this country and many people have waited for years and worked hard to become citizens.
Why send our children to fight and die for something the politicians seem to be willing to give away?
Die for whose country?
I totally agree. It does need to be done.
As someone who naturalized, (I was born in Canada) I just can’t believe this. Why did I even bother? Maybe my folks should have come here illegal too!! Argh!!!
WAKE UP AMERICANS, OR YOU WILL NOT HAVE A COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!
That is scary...
It will be good if it is followed with action.
Talk radio does nothing if there is no action. What your essentially doing is paying someone to appease you! They are nothing to our Democracy if they dont some how bring results. Why waste your time....watch Oprah its more entertaining!
Itsa bitch, isn't it.
Then, you should've considered that there would be alot of conservatives on a conservative website who would be highly critical of decidedly UN-conservative policies, before you joined.
RINOs (this includes the “president”) rule the day.
I'm one millimeter from dumping the Republicans after 30+ years, damn all other consequences.
I would certainly consider a new party. The Republicans seem utterly hopeless, stupid, and without any visible principles.
Is this just for Detroit? Is Detroit a sanctuary city and did that change in 2000?
Oh good just fish and watch your Country go down!
GEES PEOPLE....OUR SOLDIERS ARE DYING FOR OUR FREEDOOM!
WHILE WE HAND IT OVER ON A SILVER PLATER. WHAT THE HELL!!!!
“It is asinine to have Americans dying in Iraq when we have just given away America and all it stands for to an illegal alien horde and a profiteering political elite.”
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Wow. I have been wondering about that same thought for a while. It makes my blood boil. Where did MY country go to?
What do the troops say? Has anyone heard?
Die for whose country is right. It appears not to be ours anymore.
Think about it. Just sayin'.
They do work for us, only at election time.
No. Those are the numbers for the entire United States of America.
Oh I know....just called Sen. Hutchison’s office after reading her “statement” on the legislation which was very troubling. She participated in the negotiations and seems to parrot the President’s talking points. After letting loose over the phone I was told they would “get my comments right to her”. Right.
Think about where that comment comes from. It's fundamentally racist.
Whatever...So, which foreign nation ARE you a citizen of?
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