Immigration bill suffers major defeat in Senate

[WifeOHunkyJohn 2]

Immigration bill suffers major defeat in Senate

Bush's last-minute phone calls fail to rally vital support

WASHINGTON - President Bush suffered a major defeat on his plan to overhaul U.S. immigration laws Thursday when the Senate refused to close debate and advance the legislation.

The bill that would have given a path to U.S. citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants fell short of the 60 needed in the 100-member Senate to advance toward a final vote.

Bush has sought immigration reform for years, but the vote made it unlikely he would achieve that significant domestic legislative victory before leaving office in a year and a half.

Conservative critics call the bill a grant of amnesty, while some Democrats are concerned it could separate families and leave a new group of temporary workers vulnerable to exploitation.

Supporters point to the bill's tougher border security and workplace enforcement measures, along with an immediate infusion of $4.4 billion to pay for them, as reasons to keep the legislation alive.

Bush, who has made an unusual personal push to persuade key waverers to back the bill — one of his top domestic priorities — was on the phone with senators on Thursday morning after making calls Wednesday night to argue his case, said Scott Stanzel, a White House spokesman.

Bush's allies passed a similar test Tuesday, but several senators said they simply were agreeing to let debate continue for a couple of days, and they made no promises to support the legislation on Thursday or beyond.

Unfriendly ammendments

The immigration measure would grant legalization to the estimated 12 million unlawful immigrants if they pass background checks and pay fines and fees. It also would toughen border security and institute a new system for weeding out illegal immigrants from workplaces.

The measure survived a series of unfriendly amendments Wednesday.

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., was among those disappointed Wednesday. The Senate voted 55-40 to reject his amendment that would have made it easier for some immigrants to obtain visas for family members left behind in their home countries.

"This action does nothing to allay my concerns about the increasingly right-wing tilt to these proceedings, and it makes it more difficult to vote in favor of invoking cloture on the bill," Menendez said, referring to Thursday's crucial vote to limit debate.

While Menendez and a few other Democrats oppose the bill, the main opponents have been Bush's fellow sunbelt Republicans. GOP Sens. David Vitter of Louisiana, Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Jeff Sessions of Alabama led the charge, often backed by Texan John Cornyn.

Late Wednesday, they applauded the Senate's refusal to reject a fairly low-key amendment that, because of parliamentary rules, left leaders no choice but to halt action until Thursday's showdown vote.

"They tried to railroad this through today, but we derailed the train," DeMint said. Asked if he was poised to kill the bill Thursday, DeMint replied, "we hope to."

The bill's bipartisan supporters, including liberals such as Kennedy and conservatives such as Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., pushed hard to survive Thursday's vote. But they were frustrated by the lack of enthusiasm shown by many in the president's party.

Some noted the virtual absence throughout Wednesday's floor debate of Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who has declined to say how he would vote on the measure.

McConnell left GOP colleagues including Arlen Specter, R-Pa., to contend with the Vitter-DeMint-Sessions group, while Democrats were represented in the chamber most of the day by Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[almaty 19]

no surprise here

[smoke20 0]

so no amnesty?

Edited June 28, 2007 by smoke20

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

YAY!

[FutureAmerican 2]

*Does the Happy Dance for the 2nd time this week*

[irishgirl73 0]

Immigration bill suffers major defeat in Senate

Bush's last-minute phone calls fail to rally vital support

WASHINGTON - President Bush suffered a major defeat on his plan to overhaul U.S. immigration laws Thursday when the Senate refused to close debate and advance the legislation.

The bill that would have given a path to U.S. citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants fell short of the 60 needed in the 100-member Senate to advance toward a final vote.

Bush has sought immigration reform for years, but the vote made it unlikely he would achieve that significant domestic legislative victory before leaving office in a year and a half.

Conservative critics call the bill a grant of amnesty, while some Democrats are concerned it could separate families and leave a new group of temporary workers vulnerable to exploitation.

Supporters point to the bill's tougher border security and workplace enforcement measures, along with an immediate infusion of $4.4 billion to pay for them, as reasons to keep the legislation alive.

Bush, who has made an unusual personal push to persuade key waverers to back the bill — one of his top domestic priorities — was on the phone with senators on Thursday morning after making calls Wednesday night to argue his case, said Scott Stanzel, a White House spokesman.

Bush's allies passed a similar test Tuesday, but several senators said they simply were agreeing to let debate continue for a couple of days, and they made no promises to support the legislation on Thursday or beyond.

Unfriendly ammendments

The immigration measure would grant legalization to the estimated 12 million unlawful immigrants if they pass background checks and pay fines and fees. It also would toughen border security and institute a new system for weeding out illegal immigrants from workplaces.

The measure survived a series of unfriendly amendments Wednesday.

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., was among those disappointed Wednesday. The Senate voted 55-40 to reject his amendment that would have made it easier for some immigrants to obtain visas for family members left behind in their home countries.

"This action does nothing to allay my concerns about the increasingly right-wing tilt to these proceedings, and it makes it more difficult to vote in favor of invoking cloture on the bill," Menendez said, referring to Thursday's crucial vote to limit debate.

While Menendez and a few other Democrats oppose the bill, the main opponents have been Bush's fellow sunbelt Republicans. GOP Sens. David Vitter of Louisiana, Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Jeff Sessions of Alabama led the charge, often backed by Texan John Cornyn.

Late Wednesday, they applauded the Senate's refusal to reject a fairly low-key amendment that, because of parliamentary rules, left leaders no choice but to halt action until Thursday's showdown vote.

"They tried to railroad this through today, but we derailed the train," DeMint said. Asked if he was poised to kill the bill Thursday, DeMint replied, "we hope to."

The bill's bipartisan supporters, including liberals such as Kennedy and conservatives such as Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., pushed hard to survive Thursday's vote. But they were frustrated by the lack of enthusiasm shown by many in the president's party.

Some noted the virtual absence throughout Wednesday's floor debate of Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who has declined to say how he would vote on the measure.

McConnell left GOP colleagues including Arlen Specter, R-Pa., to contend with the Vitter-DeMint-Sessions group, while Democrats were represented in the chamber most of the day by Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[peejay 327]

so no amnesty?

The legislation has died...therefore the amnesty has died too. But like a rotten hemorrhoid I believe it will return at a later date.

Let us hope immigration and employment laws will be enforced in the mean time, but don't count on it. I'm afraid this latest surge of enforcement preceeding this stupid legislation will also die.

Another Washington DC dog and pony show with smoke and mirrors included. You cant trust these bastards. There's too much money involved.

[mawilson 2,133]

The legislation has died...therefore the amnesty has died too. But like a rotten hemorrhoid I believe it will return at a later date.

:lol:

[smoke20 0]

so no amnesty?

The legislation has died...therefore the amnesty has died too. But like a rotten hemorrhoid I believe it will return at a later date.

DAMN IT! peejay. i just cleaned my computer last night. thanks i thought thats what it meant!

[GaryC 7]

That is sooooo gooood!!! I find it interesting that it is being characterized as a "defeat for Bush". It is a defeat for Bush and the dems. It just so happens that Bush lost his mind (I know, most of you think he never had one. ) and sided with Kennedy and company. But thats OK, this damn thing is dead and that is the important thing.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Make sure you contract those who voted to defeat it to thank them (positive reinforcement), and that you flaunt to those who didn't. I will be calling Sen. Ken Salazar's staff a few times this week to gloat and to remind them that I will vote, but not for him!

Edited June 28, 2007 by Green-eyed girl

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

As I mentioned in previous posts, The AMerica n People & Legal Residents/ citizens will NOT TOLERATE AMNESTY,

Americas Voters have spoken, These Ninnies in Washington who want to grant amnesty to millions of Illegals are showi ng the American people that their loyalty and priorities are screwed and they do not look out for the well being of our nation.

[smoke20 0]

Make sure you contract those who voted to defeat it to thank them (positive reinforcement), and that you flaunt to those who didn't. I will be calling Sen. Ken Salazar's staff a few times this week to gloat and to remind them that I will vote, but not for him!

where do you find who voted which way?

[Scott & Lai 12]

It is a defeat for Bush and the dems.

and the Rinos.

[jg_am 0]

The two senators from PA voted for the bill. I'm glad I didn't vote for either of them.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll...&vote=00235