This doesn't surprise me in the least:
WASHINGTON - Senate leaders agreed Monday that they would wait until June to take final action on a bipartisan plan to give millions of unlawful immigrants legal status.
The measure, which also tightens border security and workplace enforcement measures, unites a group of influential liberals, centrists and conservatives and has White House backing, but it has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. In a nod to that opposition, Senate leaders won't seek to complete it before a hoped-for Memorial Day deadline.
"It would be to the best interests of the Senate ... that we not try to finish this bill this week," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., as the chamber began debate on the volatile issue. "I think we could, but I'm afraid the conclusion wouldn't be anything that anyone wanted."
Mostly, it wouldn't be what Reid wanted - a bill to give illegals the vote in short order, and to divide the GOP in preparation for the 2008 election.
As I've said before, I agree with most of the proposed reform. I know that in this I part company with everyone but President Bush, John McCain and, I think, President Bush's little dog (early polls show Laura undecided). But I really do believe that the solution is tighten security, guest worker program and legitimising those illegals already here. Be that as it may, almost all of my fellow GOPers and even a large portion of our Democratic friends just don't like this bill, for a large variety of reasons. I do believe that in its present form, it is dead - and in any modified form, it will be even deader (if we liberalise it, there will never be 60 votes for cloture in the Senate; if we tighten it up racist, anti-American groups like MeCHA and La Raza will force a majority of Democrats to vote against it).
What now? Well, it now becomes an issue for 2008...with Democrats being forced by the left to advocate for a much more liberal immigration policy and for de-facto amnesty in a political climate where both are toxic.
Posted by Mark Noonan at May 22, 2007 12:42 AM
Track
del.icio.us
digg it
IM
Facebook
Comments
"I know that in this I part company with everyone but President Bush, John McCain and, I think, President Bush's little dog (early polls show Laura undecided)."
Indeed, and the loneliness of this position is well merited.
Calling it a "guest worker program" is putting lipstick on a pig. Whatever euphemism its proponents may adopt, the program will amount to amnesty by the time it plays out.
Once passed, the concessions meant to mollify amnesty opponents will vanish much like the mirage of a comprehensive security fence already has.
Posted by: clark smith at May 22, 2007 03:10 AM
The immigration reform is a mixed bag - on one hand it does at least deals with the reality that there are de facto many many immigrants here illegally that have been here for many years. The part that is not so nice is that it could potentially break up families that have been together for 20 years in this country - deporting some and forcing others to either go back to deplorable conditions or face isolation from their family.
The second part that is a mess is the "tighter security" - the tactics being used along the mexican/american border range from reasonable - stations and border patrol to inhumane - shepparding border crosses back into desserts they know they won't survive - to the most laughable, ridiculous, cartoon solution that would fit in better in midevil china - build a 700 mile fence. The fact that anyone - democrat or republican - supports that idea is a clear indication that there is still no realistic plan on the table
Posted by: kblack77 at May 22, 2007 03:31 AM
I consider myself a conservative Republican and I agree with you. I don't know why the National Review types have closed their minds to any solution. Anything the President comes up with is immediately tagged amnesty, even if it isn't. And I have yet to hear any solutions come out of them. The President, like it or not, must serve all the people, not just a core base.
Posted by: Georgeann King at May 22, 2007 06:15 AM
Fred Barnes in the Weekly Standard has an opinion that I think is worth contemplating. According to him, it was the GOP (in particular Mitch McConnell and Jon Kyl) that supplied the initiative for the bill. Kennedy was recruited last. Assuming the "restrictionists" (the "throw da bums out" crowd) don't dominate the debate, Barnes thinks it could be beneficial to the GOP come 2008. "Though the amnesty charge is sure to be repeated again and again, it may have lost much of its sting. At least Republicans should hope so. They desperately need to put their ugly and bitter debate on immigration behind them. The Kyl-Kennedy bill gives them a chance to do just that."
By the way kblack, I don't see anything in the proposed bill that will "break up families that have been together for 20 years in this country." What it does do is eliminate the "free pass" that has existed for extended family members and adult children of people that are here legally. They get a bit of an advantage in the proposed point system, but they are not automatically favored above those with skills, education, or work experience.
Posted by: Ricorun at May 22, 2007 10:26 AM
Forget the parties, this would be disaster for the US taxpayer. Legalizing 12 million illegals will make them immediately eligible for all kinds of benefits. How in hell are we going to pay for that???? Higher taxes on US citizens..that's how.
Then there is Social Security and Medicare. Both systems are going broke as it is. Let's put another 12 million workers on the rolls along with their immediate and extended families, that will only speed up the demise of the system.
By some estimates, under the propose plan there will be 100 million to 200 million new POOR UNSKILLED immigrants over the next 10 years. These people will be net takers not net contributors to our society.
The long term consequences to this bill have not been well thought out. And trying to solve it during an election season is a formula for disaster for America as we know it.
BTW: Many of these illegal already paid $5000 to $7000 to get across the border. The $5000 "fine" for legalization is a ridiculously small price to pay to circumvent the system and buy a piece of the American pie.
Posted by: phnx at May 22, 2007 05:00 PM
Rico,
Why do you even bother with Dr. Rerun? He's a useless moron, and his posts have no substance. Please...
Posted by: keefer at May 22, 2007 08:03 PM
I am against any amnesty for illegal immigrants. We can and must send them home.
Posted by: Susan Fielden at May 23, 2007 04:46 PM
This is so disgusting.. there are no redeeming qualities here. Only both parties selling out America for possible future votes. I am ashamed of the Republicans. Their ethics are gone. If they're not - why isn't the President on Prime Time explaining this to Americans. The numbers are against this legislation.. if it's pushed through anyway - America loses. Where am I wrong?
Posted by: Nancy at May 24, 2007 11:29 AM
Order Matt and Mark's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble
"I know that in this I part company with everyone but President Bush, John McCain and, I think, President Bush's little dog (early polls show Laura undecided)."
Indeed, and the loneliness of this position is well merited.
Calling it a "guest worker program" is putting lipstick on a pig. Whatever euphemism its proponents may adopt, the program will amount to amnesty by the time it plays out.
Once passed, the concessions meant to mollify amnesty opponents will vanish much like the mirage of a comprehensive security fence already has.
The immigration reform is a mixed bag - on one hand it does at least deals with the reality that there are de facto many many immigrants here illegally that have been here for many years. The part that is not so nice is that it could potentially break up families that have been together for 20 years in this country - deporting some and forcing others to either go back to deplorable conditions or face isolation from their family.
The second part that is a mess is the "tighter security" - the tactics being used along the mexican/american border range from reasonable - stations and border patrol to inhumane - shepparding border crosses back into desserts they know they won't survive - to the most laughable, ridiculous, cartoon solution that would fit in better in midevil china - build a 700 mile fence. The fact that anyone - democrat or republican - supports that idea is a clear indication that there is still no realistic plan on the table
I consider myself a conservative Republican and I agree with you. I don't know why the National Review types have closed their minds to any solution. Anything the President comes up with is immediately tagged amnesty, even if it isn't. And I have yet to hear any solutions come out of them. The President, like it or not, must serve all the people, not just a core base.
Fred Barnes in the Weekly Standard has an opinion that I think is worth contemplating. According to him, it was the GOP (in particular Mitch McConnell and Jon Kyl) that supplied the initiative for the bill. Kennedy was recruited last. Assuming the "restrictionists" (the "throw da bums out" crowd) don't dominate the debate, Barnes thinks it could be beneficial to the GOP come 2008. "Though the amnesty charge is sure to be repeated again and again, it may have lost much of its sting. At least Republicans should hope so. They desperately need to put their ugly and bitter debate on immigration behind them. The Kyl-Kennedy bill gives them a chance to do just that."
By the way kblack, I don't see anything in the proposed bill that will "break up families that have been together for 20 years in this country." What it does do is eliminate the "free pass" that has existed for extended family members and adult children of people that are here legally. They get a bit of an advantage in the proposed point system, but they are not automatically favored above those with skills, education, or work experience.
Forget the parties, this would be disaster for the US taxpayer. Legalizing 12 million illegals will make them immediately eligible for all kinds of benefits. How in hell are we going to pay for that???? Higher taxes on US citizens..that's how.
Then there is Social Security and Medicare. Both systems are going broke as it is. Let's put another 12 million workers on the rolls along with their immediate and extended families, that will only speed up the demise of the system.
By some estimates, under the propose plan there will be 100 million to 200 million new POOR UNSKILLED immigrants over the next 10 years. These people will be net takers not net contributors to our society.
The long term consequences to this bill have not been well thought out. And trying to solve it during an election season is a formula for disaster for America as we know it.
BTW: Many of these illegal already paid $5000 to $7000 to get across the border. The $5000 "fine" for legalization is a ridiculously small price to pay to circumvent the system and buy a piece of the American pie.
Rico,
Why do you even bother with Dr. Rerun? He's a useless moron, and his posts have no substance. Please...
I am against any amnesty for illegal immigrants. We can and must send them home.
This is so disgusting.. there are no redeeming qualities here. Only both parties selling out America for possible future votes. I am ashamed of the Republicans. Their ethics are gone. If they're not - why isn't the President on Prime Time explaining this to Americans. The numbers are against this legislation.. if it's pushed through anyway - America loses. Where am I wrong?