Senators Webb, Tester, McCaskill are key votes (on immigration)

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/senators-webb-tester-mccaskill-are-key-votes-2007-06-20.html

Senators Webb, Tester, McCaskill are key votes
By Manu Raju
June 20, 2007

Three centrists whose razor-thin election victories in November tipped control of the Senate to the Democrats now hold potentially decisive swing votes on the immigration measure the chamber will try to revive later this week.

All three Democratic freshman senators — Jim Webb (Va.), Jon Tester (Mont.) and Claire McCaskill (Mo.) — voted against efforts by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to shut down debate over the measure earlier this month. The freshmen each have controversial amendments in the package that will be considered once the Senate moves to resume debate later this week. And no member is decided on how he or she will vote on the underlying bill.

How these Democrats approach the debate is one of a host of obstacles the legislation’s supporters face as the Senate attempts to complete the immigration bill by next week. Yesterday a number of Republicans lashed out at what they said were unfair tactics by Reid to limit the Senate’s second attempt on the immigration bill to 24 amendments, but key negotiators on both sides of the aisle vowed to keep the process moving.

The freshman Democrats’ votes not only will have major repercussions on the fate of the bill, but also for their own local political standing. Hard-line illegal immigration foes from the new members’ respective states are bombarding their offices with telephone calls to oppose proceeding to the bill, while left-leaning groups, which were critical in bolstering support for each of their candidacies in states President Bush carried in 2004, are using similar tactics.

Webb, who may be facing the greatest backlash of the three moderates, is proposing an amendment that has been denounced by members of Virginia’s immigrant communities. The amendment would add criteria for 12 million illegal immigrants trying to qualify for “Z visas” by requiring the visas be made available to those in the country for longer than four years and those who have “strong roots” in their communities. In a bid to appease immigrant-rights groups, it would strike a “touchback” provision in the bill that would require that immigrants return to their home countries while their visa applications are being processed.

Webb sees the amendment as an attempt to bridge the debate, and says he would vote against the bill if his amendment is not adopted.

“I think if this bill is going to have a chance to succeed, it’s going to have to have a fairness provision in it,” Webb said yesterday. He would not say whether he would vote on the motion to proceed to the bill.

more...

[ShortnFiery]

1. I fully concur with my Senator's (Webb's) Amendment.

If it is not adopted, I believe that he will not vote for the Immigration Bill and that's, IMO, a sound decision.

This Bill is bad FOR EVERYONE except the large corporations. I hope it does NOT pass if Senator Webb's amendment is not included. :shrug:

On Edit: Here's Webb's rationale -

http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=275725&

[babylonsister]

2. I selfishly hope the whole thing is shot down for the moment, and

I think the rethugs feel likewise. I don't want the dim one to get ANY satisfaction.

And you're lucky to have Webb; mine are pitiful. :cry:

[w8liftinglady]

4. agreed-we have the same sell-outs as senators.What a joke.

[babylonsister]

3. Kick with hope that someone cares. nt