Ding-Dong, The Sh-Amnesty Bill Is Dead.
In a striking reversal from the usual business of the Senate ignoring the public's wants and needs, they killed the immigration bill. I believe sixteen Senators changed their vote to make this happen. Maybe they can start over and concentrate on fixing the border first.
On to the clippy's:
WASHINGTON - The Senate drove a stake Thursday through President Bush's plan to legalize millions of unlawful immigrants, likely postponing major action on immigration until after the 2008 elections.
The bill's supporters fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed to limit debate and clear the way for final passage of the legislation, which critics assailed as offering amnesty to illegal immigrants. The vote was 46 to 53 in favor of limiting the debate.
Senators in both parties said the issue is so volatile that Congress is highly unlikely to revisit it this fall or next year, when the presidential election will increasingly dominate American politics.
They are betting on more RINO's and/or Dems to be elected which will increase the majority vote. Then they think the bill can be passed.
But the bill's backers said border security and accommodations to illegal immigrants must go hand in hand.
These idiots will never see the light. We already live with 12 million or so illegals in this country. The #1 priority is to make sure it doesn't increase. Lock down the border, then they can argue, day and night, for months on end, about what to do with those illegals already here.
"Year after year, we've had the broken borders," said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. "Year after year, we've seen the exploitation of workers. Year after year, we've seen the people who live in fear within our own borders. This is the opportunity to change it. Now is the time."
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., told colleagues that if the bill faltered, the political climate almost surely would not allow a serious reconsideration until 2009 or later. It would be highly unlikely, she said, "in the next few years to fix the existing system... We are so close."
How can you not shed a tear over Sen. Kennedy's heartfelt appeal to the public? Why should I care if they live in fear here? They can always go back. Should we pardon citizen criminals because they "live in fear within our own borders" of being caught and going to jail? I think not, except if you're a Kennedy. They REALLY need wholesale pardons.
Sen. Feinstein is also banking on an increasing majority in the '08 elections so they can pass this shamnesty bill.
***UPDATE***
Pres. Bush just had a short press conference. He was almost to tears. He said Congress needs to prove to the American people that they come together on tough issues. What Congress did prove is, they sometimes listen to the American people. That's the great thing about this. The will of the people has been heard.
