Immigration Bill Passes Key Senate Test

Senators Vote To Revive Stalled Measure To Legalize Millions Of Illegal Immigrants

(CBS/AP)  The Senate voted Tuesday to jump-start a stalled immigration measure to legalize millions of unlawful immigrants.

President Bush said the bill offered a "historic opportunity for Congress to act," and appeared optimistic about its passage by week's end.

The pivotal test-vote was 64-35 to revive the divisive legislation.

CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss reports the bill still faces big obstacles. The president is pushing hard for it, but most of the opposition rests with other Republicans who don't want to allow illegal immigrants to gain legal status and eventual citizenship.

Supporters needed 60 votes to scale procedural hurdles and return to the bill. A similar test-vote earlier this month found just 45 supporters, only seven of them Republicans. This time, 24 Republicans joined 39 Democrats and independent Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut, to back moving ahead with the bill. Opposing the move were 25 Republicans, nine Democrats and independent Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., an architect of the bill, said he was proud of the vote, calling it "a major step forward for our national security, for our economy, and for our humanity."

"We did the right thing today because we know the American people sent us here to act on our most urgent problems. We know they will not stand for small political factions getting in the way," Kennedy said in a statement following the vote.

Tuesday's outcome was far from conclusive, however. The measure still must overcome another make-or-break vote as early as Thursday that will also require the backing of 60 senators. And there is no guarantee that it will ultimately attract even the simple majority it needs to pass.

The Senate was preparing to begin voting as early as Tuesday afternoon on some two dozen amendments that have the potential to either sap its support or draw new backers.

Republicans and Democrats alike are deeply conflicted over the measure, which also creates a temporary worker program, strengthens border security and institutes a new system for weeding out illegal immigrants from workplaces.

Mr. Bush has mounted an unusually personal effort to defuse Republican opposition to the bill, appearing at a Senate party lunch earlier this month and dispatching two Cabinet secretaries to take up near-constant residence on Capitol Hill to push the compromise.

He called the measure a deal worthy of support. "In a good piece of legislation like this, and a difficult piece of legislation like this, one side doesn't get everything they want," he told business leaders and representatives of religious, Hispanic and agricultural communities earlier Tuesday. "It's a careful compromise."

The vote suggested that key senators and White House officials had succeeded — at least for now — in bargaining with skeptical lawmakers for a second chance to pass the bill. Several senators who have been promised votes on their amendments, including Sens. Kit Bond, R-Mo., Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Norm Coleman, R-Mo., Pete Domenici, R-N.M., John Ensign, R-Nev., and Jim Webb, D-Va., switched their votes to support moving ahead with the measure.

Still, after a chaotic several weeks in which the legislation survived several near-death experiences, it remained buffeted by intraparty squabbles.

As senators were preparing for the showdown vote Tuesday morning, House Republicans meeting privately on the other side of the Capitol were plotting to register their opposition through a party resolution. The measure never saw a vote for procedural reasons, but an attempt to kill it failed overwhelmingly, signaling deep GOP skepticism.

"It's clear there's a large number of the House Republicans who have serious concerns with the Senate bill," said Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, the minority leader.

Several of the Republican amendments slated for upcoming Senate votes would make the bill tougher on unlawful immigrants, while those by Democrats would make it easier on those seeking to immigrate legally based solely on family ties.

Particularly worrisome to supporters, including the Bush administration, is a bipartisan amendment by Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Max Baucus, D-Mont., that would change the bill's new program for weeding out illegal employees from U.S. workplaces.

[shannopin]

NO!! No legalizing millions of illegals. We've already one that once before. Instead, fix the borders first, execute the immigration laws that are on the books now. THEN make changes if we have too. Illegal is Illegal. What do people not understand about that word? Everyone go back home and start over again - legally!

[l8c6]

The republican politicians want this too. They are playing politics to preserve their manipulated constituency, the masses of working americans who vote for them.

The right and the left politicians want cheap labor to help run their businesses, mow and clean their gated secured estates.

[l8c6]

What happens with the people who have been working legally with visas in hand who have been working toward citizenship. I'm assuming this isn't just for Mexicans working in the U.S. illegally for Taco Bell.

[fastfredy1]

No Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants. Come see what a mess they are making of Northern Virginia. Crime, garbage everywhere, gangs, etc... Send them home today!

[drummer94]

What the heii is a test vote? What part of ILLEGAL ALIEN is so hard to understand? "....raise the level of their voices in the next 24hrs." Ok. NO FRIGGIN AMNESTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fastfredy1]

MY VOICE IS RAISED!!!!!!!

NO ILLEGALS, CLOSE THE BORDER,

[toldyouso21]

The email I sent to my Senators. Feel free to use this.

Bush and no one else has explained why we cannot secure the borders, STOP there, get the national id cards and then and only then address what to do with all the illegal immigrants. (like deporting any and everyone who has failed to get a national id and who cannot prove their citizenship or residency)

With that in mind: I am voting out anyone who votes for this immigration reform bill or who even votes to move this issue forward.

[l8c6]

Absolutely unbelievable. No other western nation would shaft its citizenry like this. Washington must just be one huge ho house with pimped out hoes running amok.

Obama and the rest think it's just fine that someone comes into the U.S., takes a job and has no record of citizenship or papers to prove anything. Wow, no system of accounting for illegals and why is it we pay taxes when colonists have more rights priviledges than those who have papers?

We have enough criminal sociopaths, we have enough people with diabetes, mental illness, homelessness etc. Why is it assumed that all Mexicans crossing the border are healthy intact, moral, hard working individuals who have to prove nothing. This country is on crack.

[fastfredy1]

This better get shot down or we are done as a nation.

[rushlimpdrug]

I say just start sending them home.
Start with the worthless illegal MS-13 "gang".

[toldyouso21]

"Particularly worrisome to supporters, including the Bush administration, is a bipartisan amendment by Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Max Baucus, D-Mont., that would change the bill's new program for weeding out illegal employees from U.S. workplaces."

One of these is running for President. I planned to vote Democrat for that office--but if he is the candidate, he will NOT get my vote. Not after supporting illegal immigration and helping businesses undercut the American workers.

[tbraiwes]

If Bush would for once stop to realize that his strategy to legalize millions of immigrants that has already committed an illegal crime crossing our borders so now give them amnesty...I don't think so...so what are you really saying that its ok to commit a crime as long as you are Mexican ... so I guess there is no need to punish anyone else for similar crimes...People stop overlooking the fact that these people are over here illegal and they should be sent back to their own country to deal with their own governmental issues...Enough already!

[fastfredy1]

I say just start sending them home.
Start with the worthless illegal MS-13 "gang".

Start here in Northern Virginia with the deporting first.

[drivelphobe]

If these sleazy politicians go against American interests in this bill, I will personally never frequent another foreign restaurant, never do business with any business I even suspect of hiring illegals, and move out of Los Angeles area to an area that might be safe from these filthy invaders. I have been a taxpayer all my life, and I will begin doing everything I can to legally avoid paying any taxes. My savings will go into non-interest bearing accounts, and I will pay cash for anything I can so I can support an underground economy. If I do any work, it will be for cash only. I will vote against every politician who had a hand in this rape of the American populace. These illegals are going to be sorry if this bill gets passed. The American public will never forget this arrogant, private agenda of the filthy politicians. Wait until one of them is a victim of an illegal drunk driver or the like. They are going to regret this action. Goodbye America, hello Amerexico. The end of a civlilized country. Thank you Bush and Kennedy for ruining America. Let's keep our fingers crossed and keep up the phone calls and emails. It's not over yet. Justice might prevail.

[candy-apple]

NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!
How many times do we have to say NO AMNESTY!!

[thee0racle]

a YES vote would certainly be a career-limiting move. America does not want your version of "immigration reform".

[fastfredy1]

I know I will do anything also that is legal to help get any of these people here Illegaly fired or not hired ot somehow put out of work and then maybe they will go home. I want my country that I fought for (20+ year vet) back.

[nottellin1]

In reading S1639 I notice that workplace enforcement is much less stringent than the 1986 bill. I also notice that the President is no longer responsible for the security of the %u2018employment verification system%u2019. Maybe this is the real reason that the Senate is pushing this piece of garbage legislation that they are trying to shove down the throat of American public. Both Bushes and Clinton have let us down in this regard because there is no %u2018secure employment verification system%u2019.

All that needs to be done in regard to immigration is to enforce the 1986 law.

[Skylar Plane]

One only has to read the newspapers in the San Francisco Bay Area about crime stories and the vast majority are crimes committed by Hispanic males.

They are the drug runners, they are the ones breaking our laws, they are the ones producing false IDs, they are the ones financially breaking our medical institutions.

I'm all for workers coming over to work the farms but must go back when done and most of all must be registered. If they fail, they should be banned forever coming back to the US.

After being around for 2000 years, why is it that the Mexican people still live in a third world environment. They have the highest failure rate in our schools.

Dumb Ronald Regan gave amnesty to 6 million during his presidency, that's enough. Let Mexico and the Mexican's take care of their own.

My cousin's wife is from Brazil and it took her six years to do it right, if she can do so must everyone else.

Mexicans need to start taking some pride in their country and instead of mooching of our the American public to support them. They should be look to their government not ours to have a decent living.

[tbraiwes]

NO FREAKING AMNESTY TO ILLEGALS WHO ARE MENTALLY UNFIT TO SERVE IN THIS COUNTRY. WHO GIVES A $$IT ABOUT HOW THEY WORK HARD FOR NOTHING...GOOD FOR EM'.. THAT STILL DOESN'T WARRANT A NEED TO FORGET THAT THEY ARE COMMITTING A CRIME...f*CK MEXICANS! NOW THAT'S MY VOICE SPEAKING TO ALL YOU CRACK HEADS UP IN WASHINGTON!

[toldyouso21]

Stopping amnesty is entirely within the power of senators who oppose it. Later today, the Senate will vote on whether to proceed on the bill. To revive the once-stalled bill will require 60 votes, which means that if the senators who vote no and the senators who don%u2019t vote add up to 41, the bill is dead. The best vote count now has 33 no votes plus the non-vote of the ill Sen. Tim Johnson. Assuming this count is accurate, only seven more are needed to stop amnesty.

Here are six Senators who are %u2018wavering%u2019 on the cloture vote:

Sam Brownback (R, KS) at [phone] and [phone]
Richard Burr (R, NC) at [phone] and [phone]
Thad Cochran (R, MS) at [phone] and [phone]
Norm Coleman (R, MN) at [phone] and [phone]
John Ensign (R, NV) at [phone] and [phone]
Jim Webb (D, VA) at [phone] and [phone]

[fastfredy1]

In D.C. the mexicans are complaintg that the cops do not speak mexican. So GO BACK to mexico then. I am tired of all the *** they start here in Northern Virginia. They do not want to obey any law and you better be a good driver or they will run you off the roads.

[tucano2]

We know Mr. Bush is an anti-American wrapped in the nation's flag for cover. That is like an e-Coli laced hot dog hiding in what looks like an ok bun. When oh when will all US Senators come to realize they are there to promote the interests of Americans and not those of illegal aliens and the criminal employers of them?

[toldyouso21]

If you live in one of these areas, call AND email your Senator. They are tallying calls and emails for and against--help yours to make the right choice (which ever side that may be to you):

Here are six Senators who are wavering on the cloture vote:

Sam Brownback (R, KS) at [phone] and [phone]
Richard Burr (R, NC) at [phone] and [phone]
Thad Cochran (R, MS) at [phone] and [phone]
Norm Coleman (R, MN) at [phone] and [phone]
John Ensign (R, NV) at [phone] and [phone]
Jim Webb (D, VA) at [phone] and [phone]

[fastfredy1]

I just sent mine Sen. Jim Webb an email agianst this bill.

[mudrose-2009]

Ya know, you can also contact the White House, too.


[e-mail]

JUSTSAYNO, JUSTSAYNO, JUSTSAYNO, JUSTSAYNO, JUSTSAYNO,JUSTSAYNO,JUSTSAYNO,JUSTSAYNO,JUSTSAYN,JUSTSAYNO,JUSTSAYNO,JUSTSAYNO,JUSTSAYNO,JUSTSAYNO

[brianp55]

I've asked it before and I'll ask it again....how do you think a guy with Bush's obvious lack of intelligence and qualifications happens to be elected President? Who would want such a thing? Who would support him? The obvious answer lies in the identity of those groups benefitting from his actions, such as the Invasion of Iraq, the planned missile defense system and of course, his support for offering omnesty to these millions of illegal aliens. Obviously, it's time for him to repay the corporations who supported him. Nonetheless, it seems almost grotesque and incomprehensible to hear a President repeatedly championing the rights of illegal aliens while simultaneously ignoring the will of the US citizens he was elected to serve.

[rushlimpdrug]

Guess Idon't know what it is like to be an MS-13 gang member in this country illegally waking to the threat of being deported every day.
- Brings a tear to my eye.

[tbraiwes]

NO FREAKING AMNESTY TO ILLEGALS WHO ARE MENTALLY UNFIT TO SERVE IN THIS COUNTRY. WHO GIVES A $$IT ABOUT HOW THEY WORK HARD FOR NOTHING...GOOD FOR EM'...IF THEY'RE SUCH HARD WORKERS, WHY DON'T THEY TAKE THEIR ***** HOME AND WORK TWICE AS HARD TO FIX THEIR OWN PROBLEMS WITH THEIR OWN FREAKING DRUG DEALING GOVERNMENT....HOWEVER THIS STILL DOESN'T WARRANT A NEED TO FORGET THAT THEY ARE COMMITTING SERIOUS CRIMES...MEANING PRESIDENT BUSH'S ADMINISTRATION WOULD LOVE TO PROFIT OFF OF THEIR ORGANIZED CRIMES COMMITED IN THIS COUNTRY EVERYDAY....MORE CRIME MORE MONEY FOR THOSE AFFILIATED IN ORGANIZE CRIMES LIKE BUSH THE BIGGEST DRUG LORD AND TRAFFICKER IN AMERICA...HE NEEDS TO CONTINUE ALLOWING HIS DRUGS INTO THIS COUNTRY THRU THOSE f*CKING MEXICANS! NOW THAT'S MY VOICE SPEAKING TO ALL YOU CRACK HEADS UP IN WASHINGTON!

[nottellin1]

Let's keep our fingers crossed and keep up the phone calls and emails. It's not over yet. Justice might prevail.
Posted by drivelphobe at 12:05 PM : Jun 26, 2007

I second absolutly everything that you posted.
I hope and pray that this does not pass.

[klingon69]

"We'll be moving our attention to the House after the Senate passes this comprehensive piece of legislation," Mr. Bush told business leaders and representatives of religious, Hispanic and agricultural communities. "I think this is an historic opportunity for Congress to act."
And we see who really wants this POS bill to be passed. Businesses that use these illegals to increase their profits, religious leaders(since most illegals come from Catholic-controlled countries, and catholisism(sp) forbids any form of birth control), they want more slaves to their puppet god, Hispanic groups (like la raza?) and agricultural who want the slave labor for the fields.

[panhandlpete]

Vote is being tallied at this time....

64 to 35.... Senate recesses until 2:15pm to move forward to debate this bill.

Sad.

[tucano2]

We Americans will find out which US Senators are patriotic and which are turncoats willing to sell out our country and surrender to illegal aliens and the multinational corporations that employ them.

S.1348-S.1639 bills are nothing less than Corporate Welfare and AMNESTY.

[l8c6]

This is not a democrat versus republican concern. This is a wealthy and in position of power versus working poor and dying middle class issue.

Someday all of our taxes will be directed at providing the security for an elite class in power. Sounds a bit like the old European rule doesn't it? Milton Friedman the neo con economist felt that governments only role should be to provide security. Who is the fool to think that all citizens will benefit from that peasantry funded security?

[brianp55]

Just one more reason while GWB is destined to go down in history as the WORST and MOST LOATHED President. His place in history is truly secure.

[tbraiwes]

GIVING MEXICANS AMNESTY IS LIKE DOING DRUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!JUST SAY NO!

[l8c6]

I was just talking up Obama last night but he lost me on this one. In no way can I support any candidate who allows people to cross the border without papers, take a job with a U.S. company and have to prove nothing while my social security number guarantees I will have funds deducted from my paycheck.

BTW, when a Mexican has a fake social security number...how does that get reported to the IRS and who pays the tax on the income associated with that number. How does this racket work? Anyone know or care?

[klingon69]

64 to 35.... Senate recesses until 2:15pm to move forward to debate this bill.

Sad.
Posted by panhandlpete at 12:38 PM : Jun 26, 2007
Who voted for and who voted against, a comprehensive list would help those who are still quiet about this, to contact their senators/congressmen to tell them NO

[bluestardad]

Here are a list of the Republican Senators up for Reelection in 08. Steny Hoyer (D) and Carl Levin (D) are up too! Democrats have sold out America also and should be held accountable also! They subvert the will of the american people!

Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Th
e House Speakers email address: [e-mail]

info@go
p.com Here is the Republican Party email address too!

[e-mail] Democratic Party too!

[nottellin1]

BTW, when a Mexican has a fake social security number...how does that get reported to the IRS and who pays the tax on the income associated with that number. How does this racket work? Anyone know or care?
Posted by l8c6 at 12:46 PM : Jun 26, 2007

I know somewhat how this currently works via my family's farm in Wisconsin, they send employment information to SSA, if a SS number doesn't match up, they usually get a notice about 18 months later and by then the employee has moved on.

[mudrose-2009]

Let's keep our fingers crossed and keep up the phone calls and emails. It's not over yet. Justice might prevail.
Posted by drivelphobe at 12:05 PM : Jun 26, 2007

I second absolutly everything that you posted.
I hope and pray that this does not pass.
Posted by nottellin1

WE'RE PRAYING?

[fastfredy1]

I have a bad feeling about this. As I said before if it is passed I will go out of my way to make life miserable for those illegals and the idiots that voted for them.

[nottellin1]

WE'RE PRAYING?
Posted by mudrose at 12:56 PM : Jun 26, 2007

Figure of speech

[walt1944-2009]

Here is the situation. You elect politicians who are supposed to listen and react to the will of the people (or so says the high school civics books). These politicians go to Washington and are coerced and corrupted by big business, lobbyists, and powerful figures like Emperor Bush and Cheney. Out the window goes the will of the people and suddenly it's the will of corporate America, special interest groups, and Emperor Bush that matters, and the people be damned!

And this is the kind of DEMOCRACY we are supposed to be giving to Iraq and the world?

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!

[mudrose-2009]

The Senate voted 64-35 on cloture.

We shoulda prayed harder. See what happens when you use prayer as a figure of speech. Next time mean it.

[rushlimpdrug]

Here another situation:
20 million commit a crime entering the country illegally raise their flag and our leaders surrender without a fight.

[klingon69]

Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Posted by bluestardad at 12:51 PM : Jun 26, 2007
Anyone have this phone number or e-mail addy, or both?

[fastfredy1]

Here another situation:
20 million commit a crime entering the country illegally raise their flag and our leaders surrender without a fight.

200,000,000 Americans that have been shafted, turn and screw every Illegal Mexican he can they they go home anyway.

What do you think they would do for us if the shoe was on the other foot?????

[fastfredy1]

What do you think they would do for us if the shoe was on the other foot?????

Well the shoe was never on the other foot nor will it ever be. But an answer to your question is they would shoot you on the border.