Thank goodness...
46-53, immigration bill goes down in defeatThe comprehensive immigration reform bill that has dodged attacks from the left and right for weeks, survived "poison pill" amendments, and was once pulled from the Senate schedule failed its most important test Thursday. Passage of the legislation now appears unlikely.
The bipartisan coalition that had shepherded the measure through so many obstacles failed to get the 60 votes necessary to end debate. The final vote was 46-53
Until Thursday morning, it was unclear whether the bill would survive the cloture vote. But in the end, opponents of the measure from both sides of the political spectrum gained enough support to derail the legislation. Liberals felt it did not go far enough in protecting illegal immigrants, while conservatives rejected the bill because they felt it would grant amnesty to the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country.
Republican foes of the measure argued that the American public was broadly united in opposition to the bill and had made its views known by flooding Congress with phone calls and e-mails.
Power to the people!
Comments (66)
But what now? ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by DJ Drummond | June 28, 2007 11:55 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
But what now?
1. Posted by DJ Drummond | June 28, 2007 11:55 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 11:55
2. Posted by jhow66 | June 28, 2007 11:58 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Easy-START ENFORCING THE LAW THAT IS ON THE BOOKS NOW.
2. Posted by jhow66 | June 28, 2007 11:58 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 11:58
3. Posted by hellcat | June 28, 2007 11:59 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Amnesty-labelers = bigots
3. Posted by hellcat | June 28, 2007 11:59 AM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 11:59
4. Posted by WildWillie | June 28, 2007 12:01 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Correct. Enforce existing laws. The problem with this bill was the development in secrecy and the inferred insulting of our intelligience.
Now, watch the lefties call for censorship of talk radio. They are hateful, bigots, yada, yada.
ww
4. Posted by WildWillie | June 28, 2007 12:01 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:01
5. Posted by DJ Drummond | June 28, 2007 12:02 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Nice goal, jhow. What are your specifics for making it happen?
5. Posted by DJ Drummond | June 28, 2007 12:02 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:02
6. Posted by DJ Drummond | June 28, 2007 12:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Nice insult-laden smear attempt, WW. Way to advance the discussion.
(rolls eyes)0
6. Posted by DJ Drummond | June 28, 2007 12:03 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:03
7. Posted by Heralder | June 28, 2007 12:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
LIAR!!
By the way, what the hell is this?
Remind me again why its our job to protect people that come to our country illegaly? I always thought protecting people was the charge of the person's actual country of citizenship.
7. Posted by Heralder | June 28, 2007 12:03 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:03
8. Posted by LoveAmerica Immigrant | June 28, 2007 12:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
+Here are some thoughts from Cap. Ed
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/010376.php
Now What?
They need to address border security and visa-program problems immediately. Congress has left these problems simmering for over 21 years. Their failure to address the issue over two decades has demonstrated that Washington does not consider those issues a very high priority, and the Senate's insistence on tying them to normalization underscores that. Poll after poll shows that Americans don't believe Congress when it says it will do something -- and so Congress needs to demonstrate their competence first before we take a flyer on creating another vast bureaucratic nightmare.
Secure the borders. Fix the visa program. Do those tasks by using the proper legislative processes in both chambers, allowing for real debate, honest and open amendment opportunities, and quit using clay pigeons and other parliamentary tricks to hide the bill and railroad it through Congress.
In other words, act responsibly, instead of trying to pull a fast one on the American public.
8. Posted by LoveAmerica Immigrant | June 28, 2007 12:06 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 12:06
9. Posted by Larkin | June 28, 2007 12:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Congratulations to the right-wing blogosphere. This is a big victory for you guys and talk radio.
It'll be interesting to see what the fallout is; particularly among Hispanic voter support for Republicans. Hopefully there will be some polling data on this.
It reminds me of Prop 187 here in California. Even though a majority of Latinos voted for it, in the years following the Republicans suffered heavy losses across the board in state elections. (Schwarzenegger has somewhat reversed that; but he can't be called a traditional Republican).
9. Posted by Larkin | June 28, 2007 12:08 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:08
10. Posted by Lee Ward | June 28, 2007 12:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"But what now?"
A greater incentive to change out the GOP's old guard in Congress and get some fresh blood in there. The south needs significant rehabilitation.
10. Posted by Lee Ward | June 28, 2007 12:08 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:08
11. Posted by jhow66 | June 28, 2007 12:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
DJ-Same as they would be on the bill that just got it's ass kicked by the people of the USA. ACTION INSTEAD OF BS by Congress.
11. Posted by jhow66 | June 28, 2007 12:11 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:11
12. Posted by Kevin | June 28, 2007 12:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It looks like Paul was stuck between two thoughts in his initial headline. I've made it a little clearer.
12. Posted by Kevin | June 28, 2007 12:13 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:13
13. Posted by Rovin | June 28, 2007 12:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Harry Reid was totally responsible for the failure of the bill. And Lee needs to get the training wheels off his tricycle.
Changing proceedures for providing ammendments to this legislation that isolated many senators was the root cause of the failure.
But do go on with the denial of the pathetic leadership the senate now provides.
13. Posted by Rovin | June 28, 2007 12:16 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:16
14. Posted by DJ Drummond | June 28, 2007 12:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Still no specifics, jhow.
And that, like it or not, is sotto voce amnesty.
14. Posted by DJ Drummond | June 28, 2007 12:17 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 12:17
15. Posted by curtis | June 28, 2007 12:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
That should make Hillary happy. Deportations are her only hope for the Presidency.
15. Posted by curtis | June 28, 2007 12:19 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:19
16. Posted by jhow66 | June 28, 2007 12:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Uh Larkie where is the left-wing talk radio. Could it be that no one listens? Could it be that the left and right both are tired of all this drag on our money supporting crooks? Could that be the reason that bill didn't pass? Huuuh.
wee wee...."old guard" just kicked your ass did it not? snicker snort
16. Posted by jhow66 | June 28, 2007 12:19 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:19
17. Posted by vnjagvet | June 28, 2007 12:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It is amazing, now that the hoi poloi can efficiently make its wishes known to their elected legislators, how those "in the know" resent it when it derails their well-intentioned plans.
17. Posted by vnjagvet | June 28, 2007 12:20 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:20
18. Posted by yo | June 28, 2007 12:23 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"where is the left-wing talk radio."
NPR has been doing latino music specials all week long.
That's where it's been.
OT: "Fairness Doctrine" is unnecessary due to NPR being the voice of modern liberalism.
18. Posted by yo | June 28, 2007 12:23 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:23
19. Posted by jhow66 | June 28, 2007 12:25 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Well DJ you know as well as I that it can be done very easy;
1--Double fence
2--Shoot any SOB that makes it thru both.
3--Job complete
4--Waiting to get blasted-----tick tick ti-t-----
19. Posted by jhow66 | June 28, 2007 12:25 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 12:25
20. Posted by J.R. | June 28, 2007 12:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You first DJ. Tell us what you would do. You seem to come out of left fied in this debate and always look for specifics from others, but remain vague and dismissive on your end.
What do you think we should do. Make another post about it and try not to deride everyone else who disagrees with your idea.
20. Posted by J.R. | June 28, 2007 12:26 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:26
21. Posted by jhow66 | June 28, 2007 12:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Forgot to add:
5--Jail anyone that hires those that are here now.
21. Posted by jhow66 | June 28, 2007 12:26 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 12:26
22. Posted by jhow66 | June 28, 2007 12:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Let me know your plan,DJ-got to go mow the yard-finely got some rain.
22. Posted by jhow66 | June 28, 2007 12:29 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 12:29
23. Posted by 914 | June 28, 2007 12:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Build the wall and round them up where they work and give them 90 days to apply for citizenship the legal way. If they fail to do so their out of the country.
All gang members and felons shipped to Cuba or Venezuala.
23. Posted by 914 | June 28, 2007 12:35 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:35
24. Posted by C-C-G | June 28, 2007 12:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Trust a lefty to want to run to the polls.
Hey, Larkin... ever considered thinking for yourself instead of being a weathervane?
24. Posted by C-C-G | June 28, 2007 12:35 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:35
25. Posted by Rovin | June 28, 2007 12:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This was GW's "blindness" along with many others, (Kennedy, McCain, Spector, et all) who thought they could cram this bill down American's throats and call it "as good as it gets" (Lindsay Graham). If this was the best our senate can provide, it's a sad day indeed. They can go back to the drawing board, but until they listen to their electorate on this issue, it will never pass muster.
BOARDER SECURITY FIRST! GET IT?
25. Posted by Rovin | June 28, 2007 12:35 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 12:35
26. Posted by DJ Drummond | June 28, 2007 12:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
jhow, J.R., you're the ones who are so happy.
I am just reminding you that in reality land, nothing has changed.
I will post my plan again (you may recall I actually posted a very specific plan of action some weeks back, but it wasn't what you wanted to hear, so it was ignored) after my mid-terms and term paper, but I reserve the right to call out feces-flingers just as I see fit. I certainly will be interested in seeing how long you can go before you resort again to insults and character smears.
26. Posted by DJ Drummond | June 28, 2007 12:40 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:40
27. Posted by DJ Drummond | June 28, 2007 12:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I usually don't pick on people for spelling, but Rovin, are you saying that to deal with this issue, we must first enforce dorm curfews?
That's what you meant by "boarders", right?
(ducks and runs)
27. Posted by DJ Drummond | June 28, 2007 12:42 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:42
28. Posted by Blue Neponset | June 28, 2007 12:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Easy-START ENFORCING THE LAW THAT IS ON THE BOOKS NOW.
If it was that easy it would have been done already. Does anyone remember the raid on a New Bedford, MA leather processing plant back in March? link That was a fiasco. Multiply that times 15,000 and that is what is what you get from enforcing the law that is on the books now. Kicking out millions of people is just not a logistical possibility. We need to find another way to fix the problem.
28. Posted by Blue Neponset | June 28, 2007 12:48 PM |
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Posted on June 28, 2007 12:48
29. Posted by Mac Lorry | June 28, 2007 12:54 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I read a piece today where a Florida sheriff found an innovative way of enforcing the immigration laws. Deputies just show up in force at a construction site as if they were going to raid it and then see who runs. The cops give chase and arrest them for laws they break in fleeing such as trespassing when some illegal runs across private property. The sheriff then investigates and turns in the names of suspected illegals. The technique has been so successful it has dried up the pool of illegals in the county. Here's the interesting point. Some construction company big shot claims they can't build anything without the labor of illegals, which is a stupid lie. There are lots of construction companies that don't use illegals in other parts of the nation. The same company big shot claims that the illegals are their best workers. No doubt because they work cheap and have no rights.
The problem starts and ends with employers. There are some farm related business that may not survive the absence of illegals, but I would rather pay more for oranges grown in South America than pay more taxes to care for and school illegals. As for service jobs, including construction, the idea that we need illegals is a lie. What do you think, some hotel is not going to clean their rooms if they can't get cheap labor, or some building isn't going to get built because they can't get cheap labor? Nonsense, these employers will have to pay market wages for such work. There are lots of high school dropouts that would be happy with a $12/hr. cleaning job or a $20/hr. construction job. They won't do these jobs for minimum wage like illegals do, and they shouldn't have to.
The answer is to privatize enforcement as I have laid out many times before. The plan would allow illegals to turn-in other illegals and get a reward, all paid for by the employer in the form of fines. If the law is aimed at employers there would be no need to deport illegals. When the jobs dry up they will leave on their own. With that kind of enforcement we could be magnanimous toward illegals who have been in the U.S. for a long time, or have families where the spouse or some of the kids are citizens.
If conservatives who want to control illegal immigration band together with liberals who what to show compassion on illegals we might be able to overcome the business lobby in their efforts to secure cheap labor. Also, there would be no general guest worker program and the current program would be greatly cut back.
29. Posted by Mac Lorry | June 28, 2007 12:54 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 12:54
30. Posted by Lee Ward | June 28, 2007 12:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Aww,come on, Neo - look on the bright side. We'll have jack-booted INS troops rounding up illegals and marching them off to jail -- leaving the businesses with a significant percentage of their work force missing... food rotting in the fields.... and latino families homeless and in the streets.
What better reason to get the Democratic count in the Senate up above 60!
30. Posted by Lee Ward | June 28, 2007 12:56 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 12:56
31. Posted by Les Nessman | June 28, 2007 12:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Oh boy. Another endless loop of 'nice goals. how you gonna do it.'
This loop can be applied to literally any plan or idea put forward in a 'I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I' manner. It can even be applied to DJ's very specific plan of action.
Don't say I didn't warn y'all.
31. Posted by Les Nessman | June 28, 2007 12:56 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 12:56
32. Posted by superdestroyer | June 28, 2007 1:02 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
The first step is to include the IRS, Social Security Administraiton, and state tax agencies in the enforcement. When a business submits tax documents is fake SSN or SSN already in use in other areas, those business get a form letter from the IRS. What they should get is an audit from the IRS, a visit from ICE, and a vist from the state tax collector to find out what else they are cheating on.
When a business nows that it is risking its future if it hires an illegal alien, the illegal immigraiton will stop.
32. Posted by superdestroyer | June 28, 2007 1:02 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 13:02
33. Posted by Bill Faith | June 28, 2007 1:03 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Step 1 is to start enforcing the laws against employing illegal aliens. Step two is put more teeth in the laws against employing illegal aliens. When they get hungry enough they'll go home.
33. Posted by Bill Faith | June 28, 2007 1:03 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 13:03
34. Posted by Les Nessman | June 28, 2007 1:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Easy-START ENFORCING THE LAW THAT IS ON THE BOOKS NOW.
If it was that easy it would have been done already.
No, it is not particularly easy to go out and actually do it. But yes, it is that simple.
34. Posted by Les Nessman | June 28, 2007 1:04 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 13:04
35. Posted by Heralder | June 28, 2007 1:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Lee:
You posted 2 minutes too late, Lee, as Mac Lorry has already addressed that just as I have on Wizbang Blue not terribly long ago.
I'll let my post there stand for itself since it was largely left unchallenged.
35. Posted by Heralder | June 28, 2007 1:06 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 13:06
36. Posted by Les Nessman | June 28, 2007 1:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
That should have read :
Easy-START ENFORCING THE LAW THAT IS ON THE BOOKS NOW.
If it was that easy it would have been done already.
-Blue Nep
No, it is not particularly easy to go out and actually do it. But yes, it is that simple.
36. Posted by Les Nessman | June 28, 2007 1:07 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2007 13:07
37. Posted by Matt | June 28, 2007 1:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
DJ,
START ENFORCING THE LAW THAT IS ON THE BOOKS NOW
What part of that statement is difficult to understand?
How? Here is how.
The President needs to inform his underlings in the various branchs subordinate to him that they will enforce the law. He needs to request fro congress the funds for the border fence and spend them! He needs to make Department of Homeland Defense start doing their job and expeditiously start recruiting and feilding the required number of Border Patrol agents, and tell them to recall the ones that have been sent to other countries. In the interim, the President can deploy the National Guard to the U.S. Border to help apprehend trespassers, and smugglers. Apprehend, not just observe. If there aren't enough Nat'l Guard on hand, recall them from IRAQ. He can fire anybody, including the Attorney General that doesn't support his plans. Have the justice department vigorously pursue Sanctuary Cities. Have the Justice Department vigorously pursue employers that hire illegal immigrants. The EPA can show them how to enforce laws against major corporations. That's a start.
If the President of the United States does not want to enforce the Laws of the United States, he should resign, or be impeached.
Congress can put pressure on the President to do his Job. Voters can and will put pressure on Congress to do their job, and support U.S. Citizens.
The various states have already started by putting forward legislature that limits types of welfare that Illegal Immigrants can receive, sanctions agains employers etc.
37. Posted by Matt | June 28, 2007 1:08 PM |