Sessions: Immigration Compromise Losing Steam
According to Senator Jeff Sessions, the momentum for the controversial immigration compromise has begun to stall. He told George Stephanopolous on ABC's "This Week" that the bill would likely fail if returned to the floor, and he hoped it would create an opportunity to find a solution that respects the rule of law:
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), a key opponent to the bipartisan immigration bill that will be taken up again next week, said Sunday that support for the legislation “continues to erode.”Sessions noted that some of the senators that had supported the compromise in a series of votes when the bill was first discussed are now beginning to shift their position.
“We’re going to use every effort to slow this process down and continue to hold up the bill and read it to the American people and show them that even though they may favor the ideals of the legislation that the legislation won’t get us there,” Sessions said. “And we’re going to need a national commitment from the president through the Congress, really a mindset change, in which we say, ‘We can make this system lawful.’”
Sessions, one of the strongest of the conservative voices in the Senate arrayed against this bill, struck a more conciliatory note regarding the 12 million illegal aliens already inside the US. He told ABC that deportation on that scale is not an option. Instead, he wants a system that recognizes the roots that many have put down here, but one that does not give them the same set of benefits as lawful immigrants, let alone better -- such as the DREAM act and other social programs within the immigration bill.
The bill's backers know they have to shore up support They have had some difficult moments over the last week, as a half-dozen GOP Senators previously on the fence have publicly announced their intention to vote against cloture, denying the bill a vote. Two Democrats have joined them as well, and more may come this week as the rushed debate process almost guarantees to rub some Senatorial nerves raw.
Ted Kennedy, on the other hand, said on the same show that he thinks he has enough votes to get past cloture. Whether that comes from whipping or from wishful thinking will become clear later this week.
Posted by Ed Morrissey on June 24, 2007 4:41 PM | Comments (16) | TrackBacks (1)
Comments (16)
Posted by Philip | June 24, 2007 5:55 PM
If this bill passes every single incumbent had better watch out. It's not like we didn't warn you.
And when this travesty is finally buried it will be time to move forward on the one issue everyone agrees on - border security now. The amnesty pushers themselves have agreed that enforcement is very important. We will not allow the collapse of an ill conceived social experiment to unhook them from their pro-enforcement declarations. The laws are already there. Everyone has already agreed. Time to go to work. Enforce the law NOW! We will all be watching. I am not usually a single issue voter, but I am now.
If our leaders and representatives cannot get the job done there is no sense expecting anything from them. They will have failed. We better find a way dump them all.
Think of it. The pure destruction these people are bringing on us. I find myself wondering what laws I don't need to bother with! Do they even get that? Are they so removed from reality that they can't follow this predictable human nature?
Back to basics Congress. Enforce NOW!
Posted by FredWM | June 24, 2007 6:18 PM
Of course they are not serious about enforcement. Don't read what they say, see what they do. When the fence was authorized last year the very first thing that happened was that numerous road blocks were thrown up to stop its completion. There were technological issues, environmental issues, inter-governmental issues, international issues and financial issues. Who thinks these issues will go away if the bill gets by cloture?
Posted by Gary Gross | June 24, 2007 7:14 PM
Ed, Are you saying that you don't take Teddy's bluster as though they were etched in stone & carried down Sinai by Moses himself? I'm shocked, Ed, shocked!!! LOL
Posted by KW^$ | June 24, 2007 7:58 PM
The cutting of the temporary workers to 200K from 400K and sunsetting the program after 5 years by the democrats who supposedly support the bill really knocked the business support down. It also means there really is not an attractive legal alternative to the illegal entry that will just continue even with the minor security enhancements we are promised.
Making it easier to enter legally as a temporary worker was a key to make border enforcement workable. The people sneaking across illegally would be those with something to hide, like drugs or a criminal record. Winnowing out the less dangerous people because they would chose to use the legal entry method would have highlighted exactly the people we want to catch because they would not be swimming in a sea of other fish.
However, the Dorgan amendment along with the cut in the numbers of the program mean that the Democrats killed the bill themselves just as Lindsey Gharam implied.
Posted by Jeff | June 24, 2007 8:28 PM
Kennedy was combative and had the finger going, but at least he looked sober and had enough makeup on to obscure the puffy vein popping face he usually sports.
None of these Senators will address the elephant in the room, which is what happens if they get it passed and into the House where a whole lot of representatives have to actually defend their votes.
Nada, zip, nothing... this bill is dead and everyone except Kennedy and Graham and Lott know it.
Posted by Mike Bonacio | June 24, 2007 10:21 PM
Do not let the rumor of faltering support stop you from jumping on your Senator's case about this stupid bill! Continue calling, faxing, emailing and mailing (especially those who are supporters) your representative in the Senate and tell them NO WAY will we Americans take this crap from our government!
Posted by Norm | June 24, 2007 11:20 PM
This bill is not dead until it is dead. What these guys say ahead of time, and what actually happens, are frequently two different things.
In addition, our displeasure with Congress can be expressed in more ways than at election time, or with financial support. We The People have other legal avenues available to us. We need to start getting active in those areas.
It's a cinch the Congresscritters aren't going to show us the way.
Posted by Deagle | June 24, 2007 11:44 PM
Philip,
You are dead on! I will personally pursue all those in Texas that vote for this bill or anything similar (Thank you Cornyn and Hutchison (leaned a bit toward passage, but doing the right thing)). I won't forget those that even thought about voting for anything like this bill! Let them beware... We will remove you clowns from office... If I come across as ANGRY, that is because I am! Politicians, you have your future in your hands.
Posted by NahnCee![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/nav-commenters.gif)
| June 24, 2007 11:57 PM
I find myself wondering what laws I don't need to bother with!
Here in Los Angeles, it's becoming increasingly apparent that only idiots still bother to buy legally-mandated car insurance. Even the LA city attorney and his bimbo wife have driven un-insured for two years, and none of the Mexicans have insurance.
If you *do* have an accident, hit and run is the normal way of dealing with it, especially since the cops won't even bother to make a report unless someone is dead, because they don't want to have to deal with the hassle of paperwork over someone who's uninsured *and* probably illegal to boot.
Seriously, what kind of chump does that make me exactly for still carrying car insurance?
Posted by Deagle | June 25, 2007 12:45 AM
NahncCee,
I'm sorry to be the one to inform you but you are hereby granted the power to bypass all laws that might apply to illegal immigrants. I know, I feel the same way...
Accidents are just a way of happening...
Posted by Bill Faith | June 25, 2007 1:11 AM
Senator Sessions deserves some sort of major award for his efforts to stop this POS bill, not to mention his past efforts on the HEROES act. I know a Tennessee/Alabama ticket for '08 isn't practical, but he'd make a great Attorney General. (Not that it would take much to improve on Senor Gonzales.) Why shoot, he might even push for enforcing our existing immigration laws. I added a link to my 2006.06.25 "No Illegal Left Behind" Roundup.
Posted by Rose | June 25, 2007 2:05 AM
Senator Sessions deserves some sort of major award for his efforts to stop this POS bill, not to mention his past efforts on the HEROES act. I know a Tennessee/Alabama ticket for '08 isn't practical, but he'd make a great Attorney General. (Not that it would take much to improve on Senor Gonzales.) Why shoot, he might even push for enforcing our existing immigration laws. I added a link to my 2006.06.25 "No Illegal Left Behind" Roundup.
Posted by: Bill Faith at June 25, 2007 1:11 AM
**************
SUPREME COURT
Posted by Lurking Vet | June 25, 2007 8:03 AM
The Committee for Comprehensive Immigration Reform's toll-free number to call your senators is still up and running:
1-800-417-7666
Ignore the pro-amnesty "legislation that unites families and protects workers" (yeah, right!) message - once you're connected to your senator's office, you can say whatever you like.
Call Now!
Posted by ken | June 25, 2007 1:21 PM
I won't apologize for saying this so save your moralizing
After missing for all these decades it is high time that the so called "Kennedy Curse" hurry up and find the right Kennedy.
Posted by Captain Ed | June 25, 2007 1:48 PM
Completely abhorrent, Ken. Wishing for a murder is horrible, and you should be ashamed of yourself. That's not "moralizing", that's just decency.
Posted by Project Vote Smart | June 26, 2007 8:58 AM
For more information on the Immigration Reform Act of 2007 please visit http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=13409 or call our hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART.