Senate immigration bill suffers crushing defeat

[racaulk]

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush's immigration bill suffered a crushing defeat Thursday in the Senate, when members voted against advancing the controversial legislation.

<---sniip--->

Proponents won a major victory with defeat of an amendment removing the bill's most controversial feature -- a path to legalization and eventual citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country, which critics charge amounts to amnesty. (Watch challenges rise and fall )

"I think most people will recognize that citizenship is the most precious gift America can provide," said Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri, the sponsor of the amendment. "There are many of us who believe it should not serve as a reward to those who broke the law."

Senators voted 56-41 to table his amendment, effectively killing it. However, in a sharp illustration of the political heartburn the "amnesty" debate is causing Republicans, Bond's proposal was supported by 33 of the Senate's 49 GOP members, along with eight Democrats.

<---snip--->

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/28/immigration.congress/index.html

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On edit: selected different paragraphs from the article for the excerpt above.

[Jim__]

1. So much for bush's "domestic agenda" - n/t

[spotbird]

2. I'm more than a little surprised

the Democratic congress didn't give him what he wanted.

Maybe times are changing? Naw, must be that there wasn't even enough Republican support.

[Frances]

4. I am sick and tired of people coming to DU

to criticize Democrats.

I could stomach the criticism if Bush and the GOP were not absolutely ruining the country.

But to hear the same old, same old whining that got Bush elected in the first place is absurd.

[spotbird]

6. Harry Reid was pushing this legislation, hard.

I think he even called it, “swell” or something similar.


It failed for want of Republican support. It’s the truth, sorry.

[Frances]

8. So, because Reid was for something you are against

you hate Democrats.

The immigration issue is a very complicated one. No one has an easy solution. But you are siding with Rush Limbaugh and you want me to hate Democrats. I don't think so.

[spotbird]

10. It is symptomatic of

the problems with the Party.

Because a problem is complicated, it does not follow that the solution must be a bad one. Assuming Rush opposed this bill, I'm certain our issues with it were quite different. The US could go a long way in addressing the immigration "crisis" by enforcing the laws against the employers of the illegals who exploit them. Also, a much larger issues that congress is deaf about is outsourcing, which is far more costly to Americans than immigration.

Also, I am not against all Democrats, only the corporately owned Democrats, which comprise about half of those in the Senate.

[fasttense]

18. Actually there is a very simple solution to the illegal immigration problem.

If you don't employ them they will go home. Just look at the housing crash. Many illegal immigrants who are experienced carpenters, painters, drywall and plumbing workers have already returned home because they can't find jobs.

We don't need to torture these poor people by not renting to them, not giving them needed medical care and not educating them. All we need do is hold the corporation accountable for hiring legal citizens. No one need deport and break up families. It is the most human way to address this large problem.

Just because someone sees through the smoke screen of the corporatist lies does not make them a Limpball listener. He hates all immigrants just because they are different from his fat ass. Not wanting to see the permanent demise of the Middle Class does not mean you support or even listen to racists.

[Robbien]

19. That employer law is already on the books

It is just being ignored for the most part by the employers.

We don't need a new immigration bill. Just enforce the current one.

[Indy Lurker]

30. The problem is in documentation

Here in the Chicago area, you call a temp agency, and get an unlimited supply of minimum wage employees. Without exception, they are hispanic, speak zero english, and have a valid Social Security Number.

I'm told a valid SSN can be had for around $750.

[Robbien]

32. Then they should fix that

If they were serious about not wanting immigration cheap labor they would set up a system for shutting down the illegal documenting.

Instead they put up this immigration "reform" bill which set up a sub-set of permanent lower class citizens to be had a slave labor rates. It is good for business.

[silverojo]

36. Buying a valid SSN is a crime

So now these people have committed two crimes: Entering illegally and buying a SSN.

Can you imagine what would happen to a Caucasian or African-American or Asian who bought a SSN for $750? Can you say, "Never see daylight again", boys and girls?

Meanwhile, a Hispanic is merely deported. Wow, that's rough...all they have to do is come right back over the border, and the game starts all over again.

[Critters2]

44. If it wasn't issued by the SSA, it isn't valid.

Prosecuting identity theft would go a long way toward solving this problem, too.

[silverojo]

35. Actually, there's a simpler solution.

We don't need to torture these poor people by not renting to them, not giving them needed medical care and not educating them. All we need do is hold the corporation accountable for hiring legal citizens. No one need deport and break up families.

Simple solution to all of the above: BECOME LEGAL CITIZENS. Then you're legally eligible for everything. What is "torture" about obeying the law? These people torture THEMSELVES by committing criminal acts, just as drug dealers do.

Do you think it's any easier for a drug dealer's African-American child to be separated from his parents, when Mommy and Daddy are busted for running a meth lab?

Why the hell should America pay for illegals' health care, when they won't even cover health care for citizens?

As for breaking up families, the anchor babies really aren't citizens--it's just that judges are turning a blind eye to the reality. The reality (if you read what our forefathers actually wrote) is that a child born to an AMERICAN CITIZEN is automatically a citizen. A child born to two illegals is NOT. Enforce that law, and there will be no "breaking up" of families--ship them all back to their country of origin, and let them come here legally.

You'll notice, I'm not saying they shouldn't be here at all--I'm saying they should come here legally. I'm not asking the world of these people.

I agree with you, however, that the employers need to be smacked down HARD for employing illegals.

[acmavm]

11. It failed because the American people want it to fail.

[pampango]

22. The Democrats did give him what he wanted to the tune of 32-15.

That 32 included Clinton, Obama, Kennedy, Feingold, Dodd, Boxer, Schumer and others.

If you are happy that the bill failed, you'll have to go to the Repub side of the aisle to deliver your thanks.

[soothsayer]

3. wow, so maybe the voice of the people will eventually be heard?

[treestar]

5. It is amazing to me that Kit Bond is more concerned with punishment

of violators of mere immigration regulations than he is with the overall good of the country. I wonder if he has similar feelings about violators of the laws against murder, kidnapping, robbery, violent assault, domestic violence, organized crime, etc.

I also wonder if he is equally bothered by the killing that goes on in Iraq day to day.

[silverojo]

37. The illegals are doing a lot of killing around these parts

Hispanic gangs are becoming a huge problem here, as any cop can tell you.

[TwilightGardener]

7. A victory for all those who want the present situation to continue unremedied.

Good going, guys. A few more years of...nothing being done.

[mancandy]

12. That's OK.....

it was a terrible bill that sold out undocumented immigrants. I'm happy its dead

[BootinUp]

13. Exactly. n/t

[sendero]

20. As if...

... the solution to a problem that is largely the result of a complete failure to enforce the law will be solved by passing more laws.

Sorry, this bill stunk. And seeing Reid get really behind it when he doesn't seem to be really behind stopping the dismantling of the constitution by the Bush gang does not sit well. Sorry.

[QC]

40. And a loss for the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,

the union-busters, George W. Bush, and the rest of the economic royalists.

[Highway61]

9. FYI

Here is a link for those who wish to see a breakdown of who voted on what issue...as for the immigration vote...give the website an hour AFTER a vote to view in order to give them time to post.

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/g_three_sections_with_teasers/legislative_home.htm

[pampango]

14. Here's another link.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00235

Looks like the Repubs voted against cloture 36-12, while the Dems voted for it 32-15.

Maybe this works out politically for the Democrats. Hispanic voters will blame the repubs for the bill's failure, while the Democrats can get credit for supporting it.

[Handsome Pete]

15. Happy happy, joy joy!!!

It is sooooooooo damed good to see idiot boy Bush finally denied something he greatly wanted. I'll bet ya a cold one that he's still kicking over chairs, and throwing GI Joes in the ol' Ovular Orifice.

Take that, Shrubya, you turd!

With much schadenfreude,
Pete

[bearfan454]

16. I am SO damn glad it didn't pass

I did not want that bill at all.

[marshall]

17. Did anybody other than Kennedy want it to pass?

It was not popular with Democrats OR Republicans. Even immigrants hated it.

Back to the status quo!

[pampango]

24. Clinton, Obama, Kennedy, Feingold, Dodd, Boxer, Schumer

among others.

[HonorTheConstitution]

21. Bush's Agenda

So much I hate to see that new bills are delayed by congress/senate members not taking the stand (including democrats):

BUT I am happy that this bill was defeated: It was a BUSH and rich corporate bill:

"Let the people come to this country that do dirty and hard work for 5.55 an hour and cater the rich."

But the stem cell research scientist from the UK or the physician from India can't get a H1B visa for 3 years to keep this country competitive in the global market. And don't come me with that labor shortage argument or higher price arguments: We are the only country with 12 million illegal immigrants!

The existing law just needs to be enforced: Get this worse less DHS or FEMA guys raiding the companies that employ illegal immigrants

[Hoyt]

23. I'm with you on stem cell research, but

I don't see how opening 12 million people up to pressure from the "Border Klan" for mass deportation (or mass starvation) does anything for them either. I'm concerned that is exactly what will happen at this point.

[silverojo]

38. Here's a solution that Bush might understand

Be as hard on illegals as you are on stem-cell research scientists. :rofl:

[Zodiak]

25. I strongly disagree with Ted Kennedy on this one

The last time him and Bush got together on something, they created the failed No Child LEft Behind act that is destroying more than a few school systems.

This bill had the same kind of feeling...

And I am for throwing the employers in the clink and rendering the corporate death penalty to companies that are gross violators of our immigration laws. That would stop the problem in its tracks without having to knock one poor person's door down.

[Zavulon]

27. Everything in your post

could have been written by me and would have been had you not beat me to it. Thanks for saving me the trouble.

[Zodiak]

31. my pleasure

lots of people here do it for me, too.

Nice to return the favor for a change.

[pampango]

33. Lovely. After the employers are in jail and the illegal immigrants

are jobless, what is phase 2 of your plan?

[bvar22]

34. Phase 2

Not very many employers will go to jail, just the first few of the most egregious violaters.
The others will get the message that employing illegals for slave wages and no benefits is a criminal act and getting cuaght will cost more than they will make off using slaves.

Since legal workers won't work for slave wages and no benefits, the previously criminal employers will face an option.

1) Close up shop. Can't make it without slaves.

2) Come out in the sunlight, offer fair wages and benefits. As long as the laws are applied evenly, no previous employer of slaves will be at a disadvantage by being forced to pay a fair wage.

The illegals who are already here will face a pretty grim immediate future, and temporary programs providing immediate humanitarian aid should be in place.

[silverojo]

39. Phase 3

Said humanitarian aid ought to be distributed on buses and trains headed back to Mexico--along with a hefty bill for the Mexican government, payable immediately.

I'm tired of Mexican presidents deliberately sending us their poor and criminals simply because they don't want to deal with their own country's problems.

[pampango]

42. Thanks.

I was interested in seeing whether phase 2 or 3 had any element of Kennedy's compassionate approach to the 12 million or whether the freeper approach "get 'em the hell out of here as fast as possible" was more your line of thinking.

I have read often at DU that we are not opposed to all immigration, just illegal immigration. I noticed neither phase had any proposals to increase legal immigration after the illegal immigrants return home.

[demon67]

26. Working vs. Voting

Dick Morris often gets things wrong, but his analysis regarding the divide over immigration gives a pretty good overview.

"Democrats want illegal immigrants to be able to vote, but not work (so as to depress wages). Republicans want illegal immigrants to be able to work, but not vote (for Democrats)."

Think about it. It doesn't capture the whole debate, but it does capture a lot of it. A more detailed explanation would note that most right-wingers actually don't want immigrants to work OR vote.

[LBJDemocrat]

28. A victory for the working American

I applaud Senators Webb and Tester for their courage.

edit: And Brown and McCaskill.

In short, the new populist wing of the party that will hopefully replace the corporatist wing that currently lead it.

[SoCalDemGrrl]

43. and Stabenow and Bayh -- Good for them!!

This was a TERRIBLE bill.

[BenDavid]

29. This is good for the

Democrats...this was a win win defeat....

[treestar]

41. Are Americans some sort of nobility in his eyes?

What is this "precious gift" bullshit? The people in question are citizens of their own countries. That's a "precious gift" for them, too.

He does not even realize what an asshole he is.