Craig- Idaho
Domenici- New Mexico
Graham- South Carolina
Hagel- Nebraska
Kyl- Arizona
Lugar- Indiana
Martinez- Florida
McCain- Arizona
Spector- Pennsylvania
Voinovich- Ohio
Senate OKs amnesty for deportees
By Stephen Dinan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
June 7, 2007
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas discusses his amendment to the immigration bill yesterday. (AP)
The Senate voted yesterday to grant amnesty to hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens who have already been caught and ordered deported but are defying a court order, preserving their path to citizenship as part of the immigration bill.
Another showdown is scheduled for this morning on Democrats' effort to cut off the debate and force a final vote on the bill. Republicans have vowed to block that through a filibuster unless they are given assurances they can offer enough amendments before the final vote.
For now, the small bipartisan group of senators that crafted the bill behind closed doors has been successful in fending off any major changes, though the coalition took a couple of hits from Republican-sponsored amendments last night.
Yesterday's major fight was over part of the bill that wipes out the immigration charges against illegal aliens who have already faced a judge and been ordered deported, known as alien absconders, and over part of the bill that applies to aliens who have already been deported but sneaked back into the country again.
Sen John Cornyn offered an amendment to prevent those aliens from gaining legal status, arguing they have already shown disrespect for the law and should be sent home.
"We are going to continue to be viewed as non-serious about workability, about enforcement, about restoring respect for the rule of law, unless we vote to exclude those who show nothing but defiance for our laws," the Texas Republican said.
But Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, said they were only guilty of "common, garden-variety immigration offenses" that should not disqualify them.
"Our employers beg them to come back and our broken borders make that possible," he said.
Other Democrats, including Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island Democrat, said Mr. Cornyn's amendment would remove due process rights for illegal aliens. But Republicans said those being affected are illegal aliens who are already in the country without authorization, and in the case of absconders have even had their day in court.
"Nobody has a constitutional legal right to demand entry into the United States," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, Alabama Republican. "It amazes me the lack of understanding and comprehension of what it's all about."
Mr. Cornyn's amendment was defeated 51-46, with 10 Republicans joining most Democrats and the chamber's two independents in voting to preserve the path to citizenship for absconders.
That's a pretty liberal bunch of Republicans listed there. Seems to me you can almost tell a man's politics by the company he keeps.
ReplyDeleteYep, there's my Senator Craig at the top of the list. He never did write me or e-mail me back. My other Senator and Representative did. I never did like him, but voted for him. I will honor my pledge of never again, now having cause.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, if you remember a Senator Symms from Idaho some years back, his family made their money on a fruit ranch, with illegal workers. If Craig runs again, in two years, I think he is toast.
ReplyDeleteDick Lugar was his usual arrogant self on this vote. He only listens to corporate lobbyists and Russians that tell him that "we need more money to secure our peaceful nuclear stockpiles". Dick forgot about Indiana residents decades ago. Not a peep on S1348 on his website and I can count on a form letter on his position by mid-summer.
ReplyDeleteI may as well have a corpse representing my interests in the US Senate. Hell, a corpse wouldn't be trying to kill me and my family.
It is stunning to me that this amendment was voted down. If Republicans think so little of the value of US citizenship that they will permit felons to have it, what do they belive in?
ReplyDeleteDamn I hate these politicians. Since the US government says that it's only a matter of time until a nuke goes off in America, I hope Washington is first and the House and Senate are in session. Spit!
ReplyDeleteWell sure Deuce. These asshats couldn't possible care less how the average American lives. To them, laws are for suckers. They have their well-paid law firms, private guards and agted communities. Why would they even care?
ReplyDeletethat's "gated"
ReplyDeleteWhere are the mega buck gazzillionaire Republicans that were so worried about Clinton getting head and now indifferent to the Republicans giving head?
ReplyDeleteGotta be a lot of money in amnesty or the high-rollers would stop this madness. Money talks. The gazillionaires must be lined up at the trough.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy enough to understand the desire of the gazillionaires for the cheap labor, but why the citizenship. Why not just leave things as they are?
ReplyDeleteAccording to This ill argued article, we are compelled to accept everybody.
ReplyDeleteBecause this is not about money, nor oil.
ReplyDeleteThis is about expansion of human freedom, of individual rights, this is about territorial integrity across the continent.
This is about the United States of the Americas.
You all think I jest, that cynicism is the driving force of the scenarios presented. It is not cynisism, at all, amigos.
It is the reality of the illuminated elites.
One Land, One People
Artic to Isthmus.
About 85, 90 States, total.
450 million citizens, for the expanded Republic/Empire.
ReplyDeleteWorlds largest combined oil reserves. Worlds largest economy and market.
Expanding God's inalienable rights to another 110 to 140 million Americans, south of the Rio Grande.
Gonna be grand.
Devious deceptions start, first at home, then are expanded, abroad.
ReplyDeleteNothing to do with Dan Rather, though. So the "right" doesn't even notice, the "left" it doesn't even care.
If they had needed more Republican votes, they'd have been there.
ReplyDeleteMr Kyl, just reelected on a pro border security platform. Mr McCain is running for President, already sold his wife's family home, in Phoenix.
Bet the others are either not short timers up for the vote in 08, or not from "Red States", just guessin'
You missed our own special Mississippi POS, Trent Lott.
ReplyDeleteOops, I screwed up. Lott didn't vote for the Felons. My Bad.
ReplyDelete