Posted on 06/11/2007 8:32:49 PM PDT by indcons
US President George W. Bush was confident Monday that the most sweeping overhaul of US immigration laws in two decades will ultimately clear Congress once he gets home from his European tour.
Speaking in Bulgaria's capital Sofia, Bush acknowledged disappointment that the legislation -- aimed at bringing 12 million illegal immigrants out of the shadows -- collapsed Thursday in the Democratic-controlled Congress.
"Listen, the immigration debate is a tough debate. I'm under no illusions about how hard it is," he told a news conference.
"There are people in my (Republican) party that don't want a comprehensive bill. There are people in the Democrat Party that don't seem to want a comprehensive bill."
But he said that he would, upon his return to Washington, get in touch with leading Democrats and Republicans who do support the legislation to get it firmly back on track.
"I'll be going to the Senate to talk about a way forward on the piece of legislation," he said.
"I'm going to work with those who are focused on getting an immigration bill done and start taking some steps forward again. I believe we can get it done. I'll see you at the bill signing."
Harry Reid, the Democratic leader of the Senate, withdrew the bill Thursday after senators, seeking to add amendments, voted twice within nine hours not to move it towards a final vote as he had demanded.
Billed as a "grand bargain," the proposed law would grant a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants, establishing a merit-based points system for future immigrants, and create a low-wage temporary worker program.
It also envisions a border security crackdown, punishment for employers who hire illegal immigrants and an attempt to wipe out a backlog of visa applications from those who have gone through legal channels.
Bush, who has made immigration reform a top priority of his second presidential term, is due to attend a Senate Republican policy lunch on Tuesday following his trip to Europe.
Oh come on, pretty please? #23 wasn’t that bad and Teddy the Swimmer was in it too.
This guy makes his father look like George Washington.
As he has all along.
It is really strange how some presidents never got the memo. Should be written in as part of the oath of office.
But for Bush to completely ignore the Constitution, his conservative base, as well as the republican party in general on this requires him to ignore the basics of party politics ... ethics, morals, and loyalty to the American people.
Can't be done without our political system suffering grave consequences. Nay, not just grave, but fatal consequences.
STOP AMNESTY NOW!! WE CAN DO IT!!
CALL! CALL! CALL! CALL! AND KEEP CALLING TILL THE LINES FRY!
WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! TILL YOU RUN OUT OF INK IN YOUR PEN!
Bombard the Democrats as well, especially the ones that ran on an anti illegal immigration plank and the ones in marginal districts who could be vulnerable. keep pounding on them. This is a bipartisan issue not a Conservative or Liberal issue BUT AN AMERICAN issue.
We need something like the tea party......not something violent, but something that gets the message into their pocket books. I wish I knew what it was....other than y’all should change your withholding to “10” - the maximum allowable. THAT might get the message to ‘em.
Please call Senate to kill this bill. I am a failed legal immigrant (white European US-educated male) with a little American daughter left behind in the US and in exchange for this amnesty for law breaking they plan to cancel ALL legal ways to immigrate. I always believed the US was a country of fairness and freedom, but it reminds me now of my East German days before the wall.
http://immigrationparentsreform.blogspot.com/
http://immigrationparentsreform.blogspot.com/2007/05/draft-bill-international-divorce.html
http://www.petitiononline.com/07ptbu05/petition.html
Mr President - there was a time I would have stood proudly with you when you say 'My Republican party'.
From your actions it is clear that you and the Republican party have parted company!!
It's sad that the man we all supported and worked hard to put in office is now doing what he is doing. Selling out our country.
I Like Ike.
Take the Pledge: "I pledge to never, ever vote for anyone, for any office, who votes in favor of the Mexican Invasion Surrender Bill."
I forgot to copy it...but it was a riot though.
Too late.
These open borders policies are already violent.
From burglaries, robberies rape, shootings, murders, fraud, not to mention the tons of drugs being smuggled in, adding to the carnage.
The invasion is already creating about 20,000 American victims a year.
Not to mention what it’s done to wages and jobs.
I am with you being a failed LEGAL immigrant (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1848078/posts ). Skilled legals are not smuggling drugs etc. They have the priorities wrong.
http://immigrationparentsreform.blogspot.com/
http://immigrationparentsreform.blogspot.com/2007/05/draft-bill-international-divorce.html
http://www.petitiononline.com/07ptbu05/petition.html
It seems that this bill has become an obsession of pathological proportions for this President.
More cases of Tuberculosis and other highly contagious third world diseases showing up all the time too.
Man, the Bushes never fail to disappoint. I vow never to vote for another one as long as I live.
And I say this as a transplanted Connecticutter myself.
I've not heard that. Can you speak a little on that? Links, etc.? Thanks.
Actually, I have my deductions at 15, and I still get back a little at tax time... Depends upon how muc you have in deductions.
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