Immigration Collapse A Blow To Bush

GOP Senators Play Key Role In Scuttling President's Immigration Reform Plan

(CBS/AP)  The Senate's failure to pass a broad immigration bill was a major political blow to President Bush. Also in the loser column was the Senate's Democratic leadership and, perhaps, GOP presidential hopeful John McCain.

The measure to grant legal status to millions of immigrants who came unlawfully into the United States suffered a stunning setback in the Senate on Thursday.

The bipartisan compromise championed by the president failed a crucial test when it could not attract even a simple majority for an effort to speed its passage.

The biggest loser was Mr. Bush, who saw his major domestic initiative go up in smoke — at least for now. The president's Iraq policy has driven his approval ratings to all-time lows and it now appears immigration reform may well go the way of his previous bid to remake the domestic landscape: an overhaul of the Social Security system.

The Senate's Democratic leadership also suffered a setback. Senate leader Harry Reid failed to keep the legislation on track, in part because of the defection of some liberal senators in his own party.

But it was Republican senators who were mainly responsible for the defeat of the bill. Their action reflected widespread conservative unhappiness with the legislation.

Sen. John McCain, a stalwart GOP supporter of the reform package, appeared to be a loser as well. At the Republican presidential debate on Tuesday night, McCain was the only candidate to offer strong support for the president's plan.

Some political observers believe the defeat can be turned into a plus for McCain if the bill's failure eliminates immigration as a major issue for GOP voters.

The legislation now faces a very uncertain future. Democrat Reid said he hoped to pass the measure eventually, but he devoted much of his post-vote comments Thursday night to accusing Mr. Bush of doing too little to obtain Republican support.

"This Is the president's bill," Reid told a hushed chamber. "Where are the president's people helping us with these votes?"

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham defended the administration. "The White House has worked like a dog," he told reporters. Indeed, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff lobbied senators inside the Capitol right up until Thursday's showdown vote.

The White House argued the setback was not fatal for Mr. Bush's top domestic priority and urged Reid to allow the bill to continue to be debated and eventually receive a vote. Administration officials monitored the developments from Germany where the president was attending the annual summit of world leaders.

"He obviously is disappointed by the setback," White House counselor Dan Bartlett said of Mr. Bush. "But based on the latest information we have, there still is a good chance this bill could go forward."

Bartlett said the president did not call any lawmakers from Germany to lobby for the measure.

Reid insisted that the bill was not dead, but a crowded Senate calendar complicates its prospects.

"I, even though disappointed, look forward to passing this bill," Reid said. "I have every desire to complete this legislation, and we all have to work — the president included — to figure out a way to get this bill passed."

The measure's chances are even murkier in the House, where Democratic leaders don't plan to act on the divisive issue until the Senate has finished work on it.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader, said Democrats tried to rush the bill.

"I think we're giving up on this bill too soon," McConnell said.

The legislation would tighten borders and 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 exposes deep rifts within both parties and is loathed by most GOP conservatives.

All but seven Republicans voted against ending debate, with many arguing they needed more time to make the bill tougher with tighter border security measures and a more arduous legalization process for unlawful immigrants. Thirty-eight Republicans and Sen. Bernard Sanders, a Vermont independent, opposed the procedural tactic.

All but 11 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.

Thirty-seven Democrats and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, voted to advance the measure.

Proponents had argued that the bill, 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.

He held out hope after the vote that the measure would survive. "Doing nothing is not an alternative," Kennedy said. "This issue isn't going away."

"I believe that we will yet succeed," said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., a framer of the bill who was one of few in his party who backed the procedural move.

The defeat for the compromise was the culmination of a week of ups and downs for the contentious immigration measure, which mirrored the tumultuous process that went into crafting it.

Kennedy partnered with Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and several centrists to craft a bill that melded conservative themes of tougher border security and limiting immigration with the liberal goal of legalizing those who are in the U.S. unlawfully and welcoming future arrivals.

In the end, however, Kyl broke from the bipartisan clique that hatched the agreement, siding with Republicans who said they hadn't gotten enough chances to toughen the bill.

"It's time to scrap this mess of a bill," said Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., a conservative who had failed in several attempts to make the measure more punitive toward illegal immigrants.

[likeitis5050]

rudy654 Yet, the illegals are the ones doing the jobs all of you won't do. And you know won't because the minute it is mentioned you respond with the "But I'm educated" statements.

Those jobs are still available..to the legal immigrant. They work hard and give the other businesses the competition we need to keep prices and quality in check...but how does that change anything if they are legal? Using the reasoning that illegals do the work that no one else wants to do is stupid. They come into this country legally and begin work. They don't have to look over their shoulders constantly, or get exploited by crooked business owners who know they can't do anything because they are illegal, and they don't have to try to remember which ID they used from one day to the next. Those jobs are still going to be available...to the legal immigrant looking to build a life here...prepared to integrate into American society..and willing to pay their own way. No one has an issue with the immigrant. We have issues with the illegals who don't think our laws apply to them...just our resources that provide them healthcare, housing, food, and anything else they buy false IDs to obtain.

[likeitis5050]

rudy654 The immigration laws of today discriminate against the very people that made up this country.

The immigration laws of today are ignored and have cultivated an attitude that illegal should have no consequences. Immigration laws, if follwed, would allow for application of citizenship but in order to even be here would require the applicant to have a sponsor and a promise from the applicant that they would not apply for or recieve social services, that they would work to pay their own way and that they would remain lawful. Illegals use emergency rooms like clinics and walk away without paying so much as a penny. Illegals have so many different IDs they can't remember which one they used 10 minutes after they've used it. Illegals are using every resource we have to 'build a new life here' yet still can't speak enough English to even order a meal. Every item sold today has Spanish on it. I don't recall ever seeing Italian, Chinese, or any other language on products sold here. The illegals have created a separate nation right here in the United States...and still demand more.

Racism? Get off your high horse and accept the fact that we have 20 million parasites demanding changes in OUR laws to accommodate them...the liars, the thieves, and the criminals who refuse to integrate into our society. The issue is the ILLEGAL..period.

[lars008-2009]

Teddy had it so right! Not Kennedy, but Roosevelt!

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907:

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something
else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." Theodore Roosevelt 1907

The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight. Theodore Roosevelt

Every immigrant who comes here should be required within five years to learn English or leave the country. Theodore Roosevelt

[wordamus]

This whole immigration issue is a puzzle to me!

Why, oh why, are OUR Senators kowtowing to the illegals...why? Or more to the point, why are OUR Senators so utterly determined to SELL OUT their own country and citizens? Why?

Through this whole mess it has been extremely obvious Senators and "rino" W. are intent on doing just that...selling us ALL down the river! But why?

What is the payoff for them? It has to be a big, big one too...has to be.

Are they now unregistered agents of foreign governments? What is the benefit to W to have maybe 50,60 million or more "legalized" Illegals here in the country? And if this bill passes we could have that many, maybe more. "Chaining" is not outlawed in the bill until 2016 and "anchor babies" are not addressed at all.

Why are they so determined to do this? What is the pay off for them...there must be one, somewhere, somehow...has to be. And why are the ILLEGALS far more important than American citizens? TEll Me!

[jax3rd]

Round 1 was a huge win for the American people, but the issue will come up again. I would like to believe that the Senate acted because they were convinced it was in the country's best interest; not just their own. However, as the body is comprised of politicans and not statesmen, I am afraid such is not he case. If the pressure from the people is their motivation, then we must keep the pressure on at every attempt to shove 10-12 million illegals down our collective throats. God Bless America.

[skitterbugs]

Us americans need to look closer! our goverment is not for america anymore.our goverment dose not have a say unless the elite say they can give us our rights by the constitution.But i forgot they dont have to go by the constitition anymore that has been showed to us for along time.the only hope we have is look close at how our politions have been voting then put the ones that is for america at the top.

[robertr121]

The jobs are there because anybody can become an employer now days. Just pull up to HOmeDepot and load up the truck with cheap slave labor. Every single one of us can employ 5 or 6 illegal workers. Who doesn't want a gardener, maid, nanny, maintenance man, pool boy, for a couple bucks an hour.
Posted by lestb35 at 12:35 AM : Jun 09, 2007
Wait a minute, I pass by Home Depot everyday and never see a horde of illegal aliens anywhere. Where are these illegal aliens that everybody sees anyway?

[mikealford3]

PeaceforUSA at 06:27 PM : Jun 09, 2007

Thank you for this post, I absolutely agree.

[peaceforusa]

rudy654

In answer to your post. Yes this land is made up of immigrants who brought with them their trades and worked it and taught it. They learned ENGLISH, they fought together in war, and they educated themselves. They flew the American flag, proudly. THEY ASSIMILATED TO OUR CULTURE. Something that this new breed of ILLEGALS don't seem to grasp. They want what we got and they want it for free. They are criminals as soon as they step over the border without the proper papers. What part of LEGAL can't you grasp. This is not about racism..this is about following our laws of immigration. If they can't follow that first law for coming into our country do you think they are going to follow any others??? And if they can't afford it they don't need to be here sucking off of our resources. Our ancestors were immigrants from all over and that is what made America strong. They didn't demand to be given a free ride. They all worked hard in America. This new breed of ILLEGALS is bringing America to its knees. Our resources are dwindling, hospitals are closing because of the them coming here then using the services for free. We can't afford them. This bill would have cost the taxpayers in America trillions of dollars. I would rather spend my tax money on the poor and the homeless and the weak that already live "legally" in the USA. You need to think twice if you think it is about racism. If they do it legally no one has a problem with that. NO AMNESTY, NO FREE RIDE!

[rudy654-2009]

I have news for all you racists. This country is made up of immigrants, right? And you realize that the vast majority of those immigrants were poor, uneducated, illiterate, spoke a foreign language, and were considered undesirable because they "will erode our way of life." The immigration laws of today discriminate against the very people that made up this country. If you are poor or "uneducated," there is no possibility for you to come here. So when you get on your high horse about people doing it the right way, remember there is no possibility for them under today's immigration laws. Now, if you're rich and highly educated, then you get to come over here and open a doctor's or dentist's office and charge lots of money for all the uninsured Americans you get to treat. Yet, the illegals are the ones doing the jobs all of you won't do. And you know won't because the minute it is mentioned you respond with the "But I'm educated" statements.

[peaceforusa]

realpatriot1

You should change your name because you surely are not what you claim to be. I would be willing to pay more for all my food if it meant that farmers and places like your Pork Plant would increase the wages for all AMERICANS to work and be able to survive. The problem is that when you have 60 Illegal aliens living in one house they can afford to work at those wages. How many American families live 60 to a house? And hopefully that will never happen here in America. If you think about it...increased wages mean more people are working and more people are spending money in the economy which would eventually keep prices down because of the money flowing through the markets. You are an idiot if you think we need illegal immigrants to do our jobs for us. It is these greedy a$$ business owners that don't want to pay a decent wage to Americans, but they also don't understand that more people working means more money spent purchasing their products. Anyone with the mindset believing illegals do us any good is just crazy. They take more from our resources than they could ever put back...

[tbweb]

lars008 wrote:

yada yada yada...
that's what the south said about slavery too...
america does not need to go down that path again...

supply and demand economics... raise the wages and you will get workers...

illegals cost this country more than they provide...

they can come in legally... not illegally...

Posted by lars008 at 01:00 PM : Jun 09, 2007

lars008,,,

EXACTLY!! Oh my! I just agreed with lars008! Somebody feel my head, call the doctor! LOL

[tbweb]

rharrin1 wrote:

Frank Sharry, the executive director of the National Immigration Forum, called the vote %u201Ca huge disappointment to immigrant communities and those seeking a solution to the dysfunctional immigration system in America.%u201D

There is nothing dysfunctional about our immigration system, if they weren't here illegally nothing would be wrong.

Go after the people that hire them, if they can't work they would go back on their own.

Posted by rharrin1 at 10:01 AM : Jun 09, 2007

rharrin1,,,

EXACTLY!! ATTACK THE SYMPTOMS AND NOT THE ROOT PROBLEM!! Our immigration system is fine, we just never made plans for it to handle 12 million illegal law breaking, border invading criminals. Another missed point is that if these illegals broke our laws to come here, who is to say they will suddenly grow halos and obey U.S. laws now that they are here! A leopard can't change its stripes!

[fizzal-2009]

Why is it everyone says we can,t get along without illegal labor, Smithfield packing, just throw all the meat in a grinder once it goes through the human proccess it comes out all the same, vegetable growers of California plant your product in the center of a coat hanger and drive your tractor 50 miles per hour through the fields strait too the market, and just send a bill too whatever country their fromm for their benifits.

[bhappy2-2]

WONDERFUL! Now, round up and deport or execute the illegal invaders. We MUST take back our country. We need to imprison the head of ANY company that hires an illegal, the owner of ANY property rented or leased to an illegal, ANY one else who supports, in any way, shape, form or fashion, these illegal invaders. We need to defend our borders, with deadly force if necessary. If our "government" refuses to do so then we, as citizens, need to take up the defense ourselves.
But some @sshole in DC is probably already working on another, even more senseless version to allow these invaders to take over our country.
Has it occured to anyone else, the Mexican Army is already here, they are ready to take over. We only have to let things contiue as they are and we will become North Mexico. I have no desire to be a North Mexican. I like being an American! Is there anyone else who has no desire to be a North Mexican? WE MUST FIGHT BACK!

[sparks224]

I love it;

The cheap labor Republicans
Verses
The ignorant racist Republicans

Of course the cheap labor side will win, but the racists are not going to be happy.

[lars008-2009]

To all you deportation nuts,

Smithfield Packing in North Carolina is the largest producer of pork in the U.S. Since a deportation raid in January, they can't find workers to fill $10/hour jobs at their packing plants. Vegatble growers in California lost 30% of their harvestable crop last fall because there weren't enough workers to harvest them. The same thing is happening in North Carolina this summer and will rellay hit after labor day. No Americans are lining up for these jobs. $10/hour isn't slave labor for crops that sell for far less in the Supermarket. The same goes for Crismas trees, tobacco,beef,etc.

Enjoy your summer BBQs and go out and buy a fake Christmas tree and give up cigarettes. Thanks to you boneheads, none of us are going to be able to afford *** for the next couple years.
Posted by realpatriot1 at 12:51 PM : Jun 09, 2007

yada yada yada...
that's what the south said about slavery too...
america does not need to go down that path again...

supply and demand economics... raise the wages and you will get workers...

illegals cost this country more than they provide...

they can come in legally... not illegally...

[realpatriot1]

To all you deportation nuts,

Smithfield Packing in North Carolina is the largest producer of pork in the U.S. Since a deportation raid in January, they can't find workers to fill $10/hour jobs at their packing plants. Vegatble growers in California lost 30% of their harvestable crop last fall because there weren't enough workers to harvest them. The same thing is happening in North Carolina this summer and will rellay hit after labor day. No Americans are lining up for these jobs. $10/hour isn't slave labor for crops that sell for far less in the Supermarket. The same goes for Crismas trees, tobacco,beef,etc.

Enjoy your summer BBQs and go out and buy a fake Christmas tree and give up cigarettes. Thanks to you boneheads, none of us are going to be able to afford *** for the next couple years.

[l8c6]

IOWEIGN, Don't think the Mexican government will pay the bill U.S. taxpayers will.

I have a story that is one of 100's of thousands. Working in a hospital I recently have witness to a Cuban psychiatrically hospitalized because he's depressed feeling isolated because he cannot speak English. His story of how he recently came to the U.S. is sketchy at best. He says he came via the Caymen islands then through Arizona somehow.

He is costing U.S. taxpayers over $1,000 dollars a day but more likely at least over $1500 a day for his psychiatric admission. To hire interpretors for him is at least $100 per visit. I don't despise this individual at face value but something is gravely wrong in a nation that would drain a life time worth of savings from someone who worked for years, paid taxes, lost their job and fell ill while illegals can receive free health care at the expense of U.S. taxpayers while these invaders countries of origin full of minorities of extremely wealthy people surrounded by masses of poverty get off free of charge.

[incog-nito]

Seems like the people who advocate deportation of all 12 millions illegals are the same ones who call for nuking and leveling all of the Middle-East. I've got some news for you: it ain't gonna happen. The sooner you get over it, the less angry you'll be. Of course, some people love to find something to be angry about all their lives.

As long as U.S. politics is controlled by big business contributions, the average Joe's opinion means nothing. Campaign reform, with real public financing of political campaigns, may help. It's a no-go, of course, because the average Joe doesn't want to pay for this either. Well, we all pay one way or another.