http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/08/washingt...artner=homepage

 

I think it's ridiculous. I thought for sure it would get passed, but evidently the Republicans had an ulterior agenda the whole time. Frist seems most at fault here, having made a 'verbal' agreement with Kennedy and McCain, but you can't really know for sure.

 

They fell 22 votes short, which means there is obviously a lot of uncertainty and hesitance from the Republicans. It says in this article that time may be a detriment to any future legislations, but I feel the opposite. After speaking briefly with someone in the know on the subject, (and I plan to discuss this further with an state representative on the morrow), I truly feel that if we wait until after elections, McCain and Kennedy can sustain the momentum to pass the bill thereafter. I think we're talking about technicalities here. Minor adendums to the bill that were obviously made within this past week during senate meetings.

 

We'll just have to wait and see. I'm fairly confident that something will be done similar to this legislation in the near future. I mean, it's an issue that can't be ignored and politically it makes much more sense to pass it. Rallies and protests are sure to follow in the coming weeks.

 

Congress (or is it just the Senate?) takes a 2 week break, and if the issue isn't discussed within a week of their return, I doubt it'll get much more steam for the remainder of the session (which ends in May, right?).

 

Anyway, you all know my position regarding illegal immigration. I'm strongly in favor of providing a method for current illegals to gain residency, and eventually citizenship. I think I'm also leaning more toward tightening the borders and restricting incoming traffic (to a certain extent of course) in order to see this through. I have a feeling that such was the reason the bill didn't get passed today/yesterday...I think the minor amendments that weren't accepted by the Dems had to do with border patrol and some sort of 'quota' for visas (or something to that extent). It makes sense because the Republicans want to come away with part of their agenda in the bill.

 

Oh well, now we wait.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the 2006 election.

And Bush blames Democrats for this failure, despite the fact that, the last time I checked, Republicans controlled all parts of the government. Hmm...

And Bush blames Democrats for this failure, despite the fact that, the last time I checked, Republicans controlled all parts of the government. Hmm...

 

I haven't read any news about Bush's reaction, but if that's true--then you're right. Frist and the Republicans had every chance to get this done...but they were selfish and wanted to include some 'more' of their own agenda into the bill before it was passed, rather than accept the compromise that was initially supported(isn't that what the dems are supposed to do? :lol )

I think it's ridiculous. I thought for sure it would get passed, but evidently the Republicans had an ulterior agenda the whole time. Frist seems most at fault here, having made a 'verbal' agreement with Kennedy and McCain, but you can't really know for sure.

 

:notworthy

 

Amazing.

 

One-half of "McCain-Kennedy" voted against the cloture motion in question. link

 

I don't think you quite have a full understanding of what's going on.

 

But alas, don't worry; I don't either.

LOL

 

Actually I used those two names because that's who originally sponsored the bill (I think).

 

Basically, my point is still valid---just without the McCain mention.

 

And it probably should have occurred to you that McCain wouldn't vote for it knowing that the rest of his party wouldn't support it....

 

I mean, I've just recently started finding out information about this. It's my opinion--I could be wrong.

 

Republicans, including those who favored the immigration bill, decided in advance they would cast protest votes to emphasize their opposition to Reid's tactics.

 

I"m having a hard time explaining this because I keep seeing varying information from news sources...But basically, even those in favor of the bill decided to vote against it almost in spite of dems...it's a he said-she said issue. It's BS.

The shame in all of this is that BOTH parties are playing politics with this. Its a shame and something needs to be done.

Whatever, it seems like now the Dems will let it drop and try to make Reps realize their follies after elections. I just hope this issue doesn't get overshadowed by anything major in the coming year. This will be a huge issue if it's still out there for the presidential election, I think. (assuming we don't invade Iran or something)