Senate forges immigration deal

[Howard Roark]

Senate forges immigration deal
By Manu Raju
June 14, 2007

Senate leaders on Thursday night announced a deal that breathes life into the bipartisan immigration bill that appeared to be stalled just days ago.

The deal, which would bring the legislation back to the floor as early as next week, came as a bipartisan group of negotiators worked through Thursday to overcome a procedural hurdle that led Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada to pull the bill from the floor last week. Reid, along with Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, agreed Thursday to bring the bill to the floor after the Senate finishes its work on energy legislation.

“We met this evening with several of the senators involved in the immigration bill negotiations,” Reid and McConnell said in a joint statement. “Based on that discussion, the immigration bill will return to the Senate floor after completion of the energy bill.”

Details were scarce Thursday night, and after the meeting no senators would comment on what transpired for 45 minutes behind closed doors in Reid’s office. McConnell even walked in silence to his office as a crowd of reporters peppered him with questions on the status of the bill.

But Thursday’s announcement appears to remove the concerns voiced last week by most Republicans when Reid sought to shut down debate over the bill. McConnell rallied Republicans to defeat the motion over concerns that not enough of their amendments had been voted on by the Senate.

Before the meeting, key Senate negotiators said there would be 19 amendments voted on: 10 from the Republicans and nine Democratic proposals.

Despite the agreement to move forward, a fierce battle is expected from GOP hard-line opponents who characterize the bill’s provisions to create a pathway for citizenship for the 12 million illegal immigrants as “amnesty.”

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), a staunch opponent of the bill, criticized both his party leaders and Democrats over what he said is a “rigged” process to bring the bill back to the floor.

“The only amendments that could be brought up are ones they wanted or they all agreed to kill,” DeMint said. “It certainly is not the tradition of the Senate to have a group of people deciding which amendments could be offered.”

A number of Democrats also have deep concerns that the bill does not do enough to reunite immigrants with their families and would create an underclass of low-wage workers through its guest worker program.

Earlier Thursday there were indications that, if some of the amendments were adopted, Democratic support could erode further. Among those amendments is one Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) that would speed up the requirement for illegal immigrants to “touch back” to their home country when awaiting their visa application to be processed.

Still, proponents on both sides expressed confidence that the measure could clear the Senate before the July 4 recess.

“I think the votes are there to pass this bill,” said Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.).

[Howard Roark]

So you don't think your representative is doing a good job. You can just whine, moan and groan or take the action of an individual.

Call your elected leaders today about the immigration bill.

Tell Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss they will be replaced in their next election cycle if they don't listen.

Call the Capital switchboard:

202-224-3121


US SENATORS - use TOLL FREE number 866.340.9281

TOLL FREE Congressional switchboard: 1-800-862-5530

and ask to be connected to your member of Congress.

Contact Congress via email HERE.

[Howard Roark]

BE SURE TO CALL ALL OF THESE KEY AMNESTY SENATORS EVERY DAY UNTIL THE BILL IS DEAD & BURIED !!!

Steve Elliott of Grassfire.org just sent an update with the latest "Amendments for Amnesty" deal that is being negotiated as we speak in Washington, DC. Here is what he had to say:

Dan,

A back-room plan is currently underway to bring Bush-Kennedy back and get it quickly passed through the Senate. I call it "amendments for amnesty."

Here's what's happening.

President Bush and the Amnesty Republicans are attempting to
convince about a dozen Republicans to support "cloture" on
Bush-Kennedy in exchange for a commitment that a set list
of amendments will be considered -- thus, "amendments for amnesty."

Also, Bush and the amnesty leaders are strong-arming conservatives
into accepting the "amendments for amnesty" deal or face being
banished into Senate oblivion.

Amnesty Republicans have already submitted their list of amendments
to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Once the "amendments for
amnesty" deal is finalized between Reid and the Republicans,
the bill will be quickly brought back to the floor. The amendments
will be defeated and amnesty passed.

+ + We can stop "Amendments For Amnesty"!

Dan, this is the FOURTH TIME our leaders have gone
behind closed doors to work out some secret scheme to get this
bill passed. Despite unprecedented and overwhelming grassroots
opposition, they think they can still pull off their legislative,
slight-of-hand trickery!

+ + Call to Action #1 -- Call these Senators and say you oppose
this "Amendments for Amnesty" deal

Sen. Inhofe (202) 224-4721
Sen. Coburn (202) 224-5754

Key Senators to call:

McConnell 202/224-2541
Lott 202/224-6253
Kyl 202/224-4521
Brownback 202/224-6521
Burr 202/224-3154
Chambliss 202/224-3521
Cornyn 202/224-2934
Hutchison 202/224-5922
Isakson 202/224-3643
Warner 202/224-2023
Webb 202/224-4024

Talking Points (Your calls will carry more weight if you are
polite and respectful!):

1. I understand that Senate leaders are working on a back-room deal
that will bring the Amnesty bill back for a vote in exchange
for consideration on certain amendments.

2. I oppose this "Amendments for Amnesty" deal.

3. If you support this deal, then you will forever be listed as
a supporter of amnesty.

4. The American people have spoken in opposition to this amnesty
bill. I urge you to oppose this deal and the bill.

US SENATORS - use TOLL FREE number 866.340.9281

TOLL FREE Congressional switchboard: 1-800-862-5530

and ask to be connected to your member of Congress.

Contact Congress via email HERE.

Also, don't forget to let the White House know how you feel:

White House Switchboard: (202) 456-1414

White House Comments Line: (202) 456-1111

And, be sure to go to www.NumbersUSA.com and send faxes to your Senators FREE OF CHARGE !