It's dead....for now at least

[Scott & Lai 12]

Immigration bill fails crucial test vote By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS, Associated Press Writer

8 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - A broad immigration bill to legalize millions of people in the U.S. unlawfully failed a crucial test vote in the Senate Thursday, a stunning setback that could spell its defeat for the year.

The vote was 45-50 against limiting debate on the bill, 15 short of the 60 that the bill's supporters needed to prevail. Most Republicans voted to block Democrats' efforts to bring the bill to a final vote.

The legislation, which had been endorsed by President Bush, would tighten borders, institute a new system to prevent employers from hiring undocumented workers in addition to giving up to 12 million illegal immigrants a pathway to legal status.

Conceived by an improbable coalition that nicknamed the deal a "grand bargain," the measure exposed deep rifts within both parties and is loathed by most GOP conservatives.

Senate Majority Harry Reid, D-Nev., who had made no secret of his distaste for parts of the bill, said earlier he would move on to other matters if the immigration measure's supporters didn't get 60 votes Thursday night.

The defeat set off a bitter round of partisan recriminations, with Democrats and Republicans each accusing the other of killing it.

Most Republicans voted against ending debate, saying they needed more time to make the bill tougher with tighter border security measures and a more arduous legalization process for unlawful immigrants.

All but a handful of Democrats supported the move, but they, too, were holding their noses at provisions of the bill. Many of them argued it makes second-class citizens of a new crop of temporary workers and rips apart families by prioritizing employability over blood ties in future immigration.

Still, they had argued that the measure, on balance, was worth advancing.

"We can all find different aspects of this legislation that we differ with," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, the leading Democratic architect of the bill.

Reid, who had made no secret of his distaste for parts of the bill, quickly pulled it from the floor and moved on to other business, costing the measure perhaps its best chance at enactment.

He insisted that the immigration bill is not dead for the year. "I, even though disappointed, look forward to passing this bill," Reid said.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

May it rest in peace. This on'e better dead than alive.

[JoeMama 0]

I read this over at Yahoo News. Amen!

[natty bumppo 289]

glad it's gone

[Lance27 19]

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

status quo reigns.

Daniel

:energetic:

[Scott & Lai 12]

status quo is certainly better than where this bill would have taken us.

[Portlander 0]

Agreed! I wish "We The People" had spoken up about a few more of Bush's lovely bills.... The Prescription Drug Benefit that makes us pay full retail AND put in a lot $$ into Research + Development for patents we give away.... and people say DEMOCRATS aren't fiscally responsible! (not quite fair... Bush's plans are fiscally responsible to Big Business intetrests, as they are the ones that actually + physically write a lot of his legislation!)

[Scott & Lai 12]

Agreed! I wish "We The People" had spoken up about a few more of Bush's lovely bills.... The Prescription Drug Benefit that makes us pay full retail AND put in a lot $$ into Research + Development for patents we give away.... and people say DEMOCRATS aren't fiscally responsible! (not quite fair... Bush's plans are fiscally responsible to Big Business intetrests, as they are the ones that actually + physically write a lot of his legislation!)

Bush is far from being a small-government fiscal conservative

[homesick_american 1]

status quo is certainly better than where this bill would have taken us.

I agree 100%.