McCain (CFR, miserable failure) and The Swimmer (NCLB, miserable failure) combine their proven worthless talents to give us criminal alien reform? Oh, goody, I can hardly wait.Time for Tancredo and friends to make a major move.
Migrant reform bill in works
Bush talk bolsters bipartisan effort by McCain, Kennedy
Billy House
Republic Washington Bureau
Dec. 25, 2004 12:00 AM
WASHINGTON - Arizona Sen. John McCain and Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy are working together to draft a bipartisan bill for comprehensive immigration reform to introduce in the new session of Congress.
The efforts, bolstered by President Bush's reiteration on Monday that he wants to give temporary legal status to any "willing worker" who has found a job Americans do not want, come as many Republicans in Congress are pointing to the threat of terrorism as a reason to further restrict immigration.
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Still, even though Republicans control the presidency, as well as both chambers of Congress, any immigration bill would need significant support from Democrats to pass. That is one reason McCain, a Republican, is working with Kennedy, a Democrat, on a measure that could be supported by both parties, as well as Bush.
McCain says he's committed to getting comprehensive immigration reform passed.
"Since the election, Senator McCain has spoken with the president and many members of Congress, including Senator Kennedy, trying to forge a consensus on immigration reform in an effort to move forward on this issue during the new Congress," spokeswoman Crystal Benton said.
Kennedy, a longtime proponent of immigration reform said, "Congress needs to fix our broken immigration system as soon as possible, not only for economic and humanitarian reasons, but for urgent national security reasons as well. I'm hopeful we can reach bipartisan agreement early in the new Congress on reforms that are obviously needed."
Almost one year ago, Bush floated his idea of a guest worker program, just as he was entering his campaign for re-election. At the time, he offered no details, and did not talk much about it during the presidential race.
On Monday, Bush again raised the immigration issue, but wants Congress to write the legislation. He likely will mention the topic in his inauguration address on Jan. 20.
Generally, Bush says he wants to balance the concerns of those who say illegal immigration is costing taxpayers money, and may even be a national security threat, with U.S. business needs for a reliable source of low-cost labor. However, Bush also says he would not support a full amnesty of automatic citizenship for the estimated 8 million to 12 million undocumented immigrants currently working in this country illegally.
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"We are going to continue to push for a path for permanent residency," said Michele Waslin, director of immigration policy at the National Council of La Raza.
Both McCain and Kennedy have sponsored guest worker bills in the past, and need to come up with a bill that will pass muster on both sides of the political aisle.
In the just-completed Congress, McCain joined fellow Arizona Republican Reps. Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake in sponsoring legislation that would grant a path to citizenship to qualified undocumented workers.
Kennedy also favors granting legal status - and eventually, citizenship - to undocumented workers who already have been in the country for several years, have jobs and pay taxes. His past bills also called for expediting citizenship for the spouses and children of undocumented immigrants.
"Both Senator McCain and Senator Kennedy think the system is broken and we need to fix it," said a congressional staffer familiar with discussions between the two senators. "I think at this point we're trying to see if we can bridge the gaps between our two offices and other (congressional offices) on this.
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"The president doesn't have to run (for office) again. House members are always running for re-election," he said.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1225mccain-immigration25.html
I also believe GWB aggravated a situation because of his behind-the-scenes promises to V. Fox.
When GWB stands in a press conference urging us to have "compassion for those good-hearted" lawbreakers, does he also wish us to have compassion for all the lawbreakers currently serving time? Why not just give the Martha Stewarts of the world freedom from serving time even though they broke laws? Many jailed people are not evil; perhaps they're just greedy, addicted, troubled, and a hundred other adjectives. Were I a reporter, I'd ask him why the illegal alien kind of lawbreaker bears more leniency than other kinds.
GWB's "compassion" is illogical and far from compassionate. Why doesn't he understand we're a nation of laws, not a haven for lawbreakers?
I have bemoaned on FR in the past about the 12 illegal invaders living next door to me until finally I could not subject our family to their disrespect any longer (the INS didn't care). These invaders--no matter what their origin--cannot move ahead of lawful folk applying respectfully to gain citizenship.
Enough ranting for the day, but I have joined and urge others to join FAIR and USA Number(?). We'll need to stand firm on this one!
Regards . . . Penny
McCain (CFR, miserable failure) and The Swimmer (NCLB, miserable failure) combine their proven worthless talents to give us criminal alien reform? Oh, goody, I can hardly wait.