Migrant bill splits senators-- a little Burr is skeptical; Dole would kill it

News and Observer ^ | June 28, 2007 | Barbara Barrett

[NCDragon]

Migrant bill splits senators-- a little

Burr is skeptical; Dole would kill it

Barbara Barrett, Washington Correspondent

WASHINGTON - When the U.S. Senate convenes this morning for a critical immigration vote, North Carolina's Republican senators will have different objectives. Sen. Richard Burr will want to know whether sufficient safeguards have been added to the sweeping legislation to earn his support. The answer, he said Wednesday, is probably no.

Sen. Elizabeth Dole just wants to kill the thing.

For Dole and Burr, both strong supporters of President Bush, the immigration deal may be the most significant issue in recent memory on which they differ ideologically, if only by increments. Both oppose illegal immigration and want tougher border security. But while Dole has been outspoken in trying to slay a measure she labels "amnesty," Burr has been willing to have a debate.

"It's to North Carolina's benefit to figure out what we have to do as a country," Burr said in an interview Wednesday. "I think immigration is a huge, huge problem. ... We have the worst of all worlds right now."

Burr and Dole both work from the perspective of a state with one of the nation's fastest-growing populations of illegal immigrants. North Carolina is the largest user of legal agriculture guest workers and is among the highest users of undocumented farm workers. Illegal immigrants build houses in urban areas, process hogs and chickens in rural areas and make beds and wash dishes for the state's tourist economy. The high-tech region of Research Triangle Park and the universities are major employers of foreign-born employees and students.

The bill is long and involved, but it would offer temporary legitimacy to millions of illegal immigrants, shore up border security, impose new restrictions on the hiring of undocumented workers and boost an agricultural guest worker program.

"I don't disagree with [Dole] that this was doomed from the start," Burr said. "I was willing to work with it to see if we can get a good bill. I think it's highly unlikely now."

When the White House-backed immigration reform deal was first announced in May, Dole tried for a few days to influence the bill. Then, angry that Democratic leaders weren't allowing many amendments, she and a small group of GOP activists set about trying to kill the measure.

Burr, meanwhile, has been mostly quiet about immigration. His votes in the past month hinted that he was willing to have a discussion, but he said this week he has concerns that must be addressed.

First, he wants an independent commission to certify the nation's borders are secure before provisional visas are given to undocumented immigrants.

Next, he wants the heads of households of illegal immigrant families to "touch back" to their home countries before getting those provisional visas.

Third, he wants all undocumented immigrants screened for dangerous health problems such as tuberculosis.

Finally, he wants tamper-proof identification cards assigned to all noncitizen workers in the country.

Unless those issues are addressed, he said, he'll vote "no" this morning.

"A bad bill potentially makes the problem worse," Burr said.

He thinks some of his issues might be included in an amendment by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and one of the authors of the deal.

But Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, leading the crew of GOP activists trying to kill the bill, said late Wednesday he thinks Burr is one of two senators moving closer to DeMint's position.

On the Senate floor, amendments and parliamentary moves were shifting too quickly for many staffers and senators to keep up.

Senate leaders used an arcane procedure to package more than two dozen Democratic and Republican amendments, then split them one by one. They then put aside the amendments, which quelled debate, setting up a showdown that some expected to go late into Wednesday night.

"It's just bizarre," Dole said.

The handful of GOP activists, led by DeMint, pulled two-hour shifts on the Senate floor, sitting quietly or murmuring in the corners, ready to raise objections to anything Democratic leaders tried to slip by.

Dole pulled her first shift Tuesday evening; she returned from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday and was expecting to be back toward sundown.

"Everybody's huddling, trying to figure out what we're going to do next," Dole said.

Dole, who faces re-election in 2008, wants the Senate to start over and focus solely on border security. Thousands of constituents agree with her, she said.

Burr has been getting calls too, forcing staffers to repeat over and over into their phones Wednesday, "Senator Burr will not support this bill unless there are drastic changes."

The N.C. Republican Party pointedly left his name off a news release this week praising other members of Congress on the immigration debate.

He also has been criticized by many conservatives for his stance.

"It's been pretty vicious," Burr said, then added: "Listen, everybody has a right to pursue things however they see fit. I still think comprehensive immigration reform is something we have to do. It has to be right."

(McClatchy Newspapers' James Rosen contributed to this report.)

Washington correspondent Barbara Barrett can be reached at (202) 383-0012 or bbarrett@newsobserver.com. McClatchy Newspapers' James Rosen contributed to this report.

[bcsco]

This is a ping list promoting Immigration Enforcement and Congressional Reform.
If you wish to be added or removed from this ping list, please contact me.

Good morning everyone (and hopefully it will continue to be). I'll be away from the PC for a good part of the day, but will check in when possible. Meanwhile, here are a series of articles for your review...

Thompson blasts immigration bill

DeMint: Report Says $4.4 Billion Border Funding Can Be Used for Amnesty

WaPo: Immigration Measure Appears Imperiled Again

NRO: Not Looking Good for Team Amnesty?

WaTimes: McConnell avoids immigration bill deliberations

NRO the Corner: "More Likely to Fail" [Byron York - Tomorrow's Cloture Vote]

WaTimes: Illegals bill loses support in Senate [Washington Times]

Fox: Senate Immigration Reform Bill Takes Step Toward the Grave

[yoe]

Phone calls ASAP .... Senators have to choose between voters and Big $$ special interest

DEAR OPPONENTS OF THE SENATE AMNESTY BILL....

Phone calls have to be made quickly this morning but still are important for keeping a final sense of urgency and magnitude in every Senate office.

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

The Democratic Cloakroom is saying that the Senate is scheduled to start an hour of debate at 9:30 a.m. and then vote on the amnesty cloture at 10:50 a.m.

[fetal heart beats by 21st day]

Senator Burr’s mailboxes were full last night.
Like some of the other normally solid conservatives, like John Kyl, I think he was suckered by misplaced compassion and a belief that Reid and Kennedy, etc. would keep their promises re:enforcement, fines, etc. I think Sen. Sessions is helping them realize they are being bewitched. Right now, I think it would be most productive to speak with civility to Senator Burr and his staff. He is most likely to respond positively.
I think it would be good to point out some of the extraordinary procedures (like no committee hearings and no opposition involvement),the fact that the bill was still being revised 2 days ago(which means they could not have read what they’re being pressured to vote for), & the fact that Harry Reid, who has always played tricks on the Republicans, has come up with new ones this time around.
Senator Burr, doesn’t this make you suspicious?

[Vinnie]

I’ve called Burr’s office and sent an e-mail.

That he would even consider this bill has turned me against him.

Problems with the bill were obvious weeks ago.
First and foremost, author Ted Kennedy. That alone should have sent up the red flag.
With Ted involved an automatic BOHICA is in order.

[SmoothTalker]

Burr is a disappointment and a worthless Senator. I miss Jesse.

[elizabetty]

MIGRANT? Like a Humming bird?

[ClaireSolt]

There is too much emphasis on the illegals and not enough attention to what’s good for America. I think they have totally misinterpreted the role of talk radio. It has not just ginned people up. Rather, it has given us a voice. Illegal immigration has been negatively affecting our quality of life for years, and we don’t need DJ’s to tell us that.

[caphillbabe]

Here is a list of the key staff contacts of the “Amnesty 8” Senators (plus Domenici) that are most likely to be persuaded to vote no on Thursday and derail amnesty. Many offices are putting calls straight to voicemail and they can just trash faxes (and letters take weeks to get through due to security). Hit Hill staff where they are so codependent - their Blackberries! Send email directly to staff - not just the generic Senate office mailbox. Contact their Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, and Press Secretary. Make your voice heard!!

For the Democrats, I would strongly suggest taking a pro-union/anti-illegal alien stance (i.e. “they are taking our jobs”) rather than using the conservative national security angle.

Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE)
Chief of Staff
tim_becker@bennelson.senate.gov

Legislative Director
christiana_gallagher@bennelson.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
david_dimartino@bennelson.senate.gov

Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR)
Chief of Staff
bob_russell@pryor.senate.gov

Legislative Director
andy_york@pryor.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
michael_teague@pryor.senate.gov
lisa_ackerman@pryor.senate.gov

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA)
Chief of Staff
paul_reagan@webb.senate.gov

Legislative Director
mike_sozan@webb.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
jessica_smith@webb.senate.gov

Senator Kit Bond (R-MO)
Chief of Staff
brian_klippenstein@bond.senate.gov

Legislative Director
kara_smith@bond.senate.gov

Communications Director
shana_marchio@bond.senate.gov

Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS)
Chief of Staff
glen_chambers@brownback.senate.gov

Domestic Policy Advisor
brian_robertson@brownback.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
john_rankin@brownback.senate.gov
brian_hart@brownback.senate.gov

Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)
Chief of Staff
alicia_peterson-clark@burr.senate.gov
alicia_peterson-petersonclark@burr.senate.gov

Legislative Director
natasha_hickman@burr.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
laura_caudell@burr.senate.gov
mark_williams@burr.senate.gov

Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN)
Chief of Staff
jennifer_lowe@coleman.senate.gov

Deputy Chief of Staff
lucia_lebens@coleman.senate.gov

Legislative Director
lorianne_moss@coleman.senate.gov

Communications Director
tom_steward@coleman.senate.gov
tom_stewart@coleman.senate.gov

Press Secretary
leroy_coleman@coleman.senate.gov

Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM)
Chief of Staff
steve_bell@domenici.senate.gov

Legislative Director
edward_hild@domenici.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
chris_gallegos@domenici.senate.gov

Immigration LA
tara_shaw@domenici.senate.gov

Senator John Ensign (R-NV)
Chief of Staff
john_lopez@ensign.senate.gov

Legislative Director
pam_thiessen@ensign.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
tory_mazzola@ensign.senate.gov
jack_finn@ensign.senate.gov
don_tatro@ensign.senate.gov

[Buckhead]

You guys in North Carolina need to pay attention to the difference in
Burr’s and Dole’s websites. At the top of Burr’s, he offers his site
in espanol. Dole does not. Why would a senator in NC(ostensibly not
a border state) be offering a spanish language site? How many legal
hispanic immigrants don’t speak english? Burr may vote against bill
this time, but he seems to have great RHINO potential.

THIS WIFE O’BUCKHEAD POSTING. HE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR
ABOVE POSTING AND MAY NOT BE IN AGREEMENT.

[JohnnyZ]

At the top of Burr’s, he offers his site in espanol. Dole does not. Why would a senator in NC(ostensibly not a border state) be offering a spanish language site?

You're right, Republicans are better off just telling all the Hispanics to go to Hell, because then we can truly be a whites-only party, and David Duke can make a comeback, and I can kiss y'all goodbye.

YES, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN NC WHO HAVE SPANISH AS THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE (legal and illegal), and kudos to Senator Burr for making it easier for them to interact with their Senator.

The anti-Hispanic hate train is really chuggin' along here lately. Whatever happened to opposing illegal immigration?!?

[Constitution Day]

NC *Ping*

Please FRmail Constitution Day if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.

[kabar]

...undocumented farm workers

Translation: ILLEGAL ALIENS

[Vision]

http://hotair.com/archives/2007/06/27/audio-voinovich-humiliates-himself-in-shamnesty-debate-with-hannity/

[azhenfud]

I have to admit - I was first skeptical of Mrs. Dole - but over time she’s earned both my respect and trust and I don’t mind telling her I’m proud to be a North Carolinian and proud to be represented by Sen. Dole.

Burr requires some tweaking yet.

[Buckhead]

The point is, there are many other immigrants, legal and illegal, from
asia and eastern europe. however, their languages are omitted.
They are expected to deal with english. If a person is here legally,
it is certainly in their best interest and America’s best interest not
to enable them. You certainly have as much of an ugly tone as
anyone.

BUCKHEAD’S WIFE. buckhead not responsible for above comments.

[Moose4]

There’s no way around the fact that North Carolina has a surprisingly large (and growing) Hispanic population. I don’t know how many are legal versus illegal, but it’s not unusual that Ricardo del Burro would offer his website in Spanish, because I’m sure there are tens of thousands of folks here now that don’t speak English, only Spanish. I’m actually surprised that Dole doesn’t.

}:-)4

[twigs]

I think you are being totally and completely unfair. I am totally and completely against this immigration bill and I agree that Sen. Burr should not have Spanish on his website. Do you want to accuse me of wanting to be a part of an all-white party? I volunteer an evening a week to teaching ESL. Most of my students are illegal Hispanics. I like them a lot and care for them. I would like to greet them as fellow citizens. But I try to keep my emotions in check and look rationally at what is good for my country. English is the language of the US. Immigrants need to learn it. They will not if we keep on providing bilingual options. And I’m doing my part in helping them learn English. Border security is critical. I trust my students, but I don’t trust those who continue to live in their shadow communities, content not to intermingle with our American English-speaking culture. The expectation of immigrants speaking English is a critical part of our own internal security. Let’s help it happen.

[azhenfud]

"At the top of Burr’s, he offers his site in espanol."

Someone's gotta be abled to tell them in plain English Spanish how to leave.

[cinives]

Simple - Because LEGAL immigrants should be focusing on learning English if they want to live in this country.