And a good Monday to all! Demotivation Monday had to be replaced for the moment
Yes, raise a stein to this (Washington Time)
Fewer than 20 senators are publicly committed to supporting the immigration deal that hits the Senate floor today while nearly 40 are already opposed or have serious concerns, underscoring how difficult it will be for President Bush and his allies to craft a coalition that can pass the bill.
A Washington Times survey of Senate offices and public comments after the deal was announced Thursday found an additional 32 senators who said they cannot even take a position yet — a result of the fact that the deal was written in secret by a dozen senators and the Bush administration, wasn’t even finalized until yesterday and still hasn’t reached many Senate offices.
"I did not agree to any immigration deal and was not part of the negotiations," said Sen. Jim Bunning, Kentucky Republican and a likely opponent. "From what I have heard about the bill, it gives amnesty to the estimated 12.5 million illegal immigrants in this country."
I bet "F Bomb" McCain knows better though (snicker).
This low support is a good thing, showing that, despite the bill having (supposedly) some good parts, it is overshadowed by amnesty. Nothing else will matter.
Senators will be asked to make their first vote on the measure today, on whether to begin debating the bill. It will require 60 votes to pass, and leaders of both parties are urging their members to vote for it, so the debate can at least begin.
Opposition comes from the left and the right — and both sides are vowing to offer amendments to try to move the bill. What is not clear is whether the two sides will be willing to team up to scuttle the bill.
It is sure to be an interesting vote. Will there be 60 Senators who even want to debate a bill that was brokered and written in secrecy? A bill that is over 700 pages? One where you will see dozens, if not hundreds, of amendments?
Sen. Arlen Specter, one of the Republicans who helped craft the deal, said it’s the best they could do.
"It will treat the 12 million undocumented immigrants in a constructive way. It is not amnesty. They’ll have to pay a fine. They’ll have to earn their way to citizenship," he said on CBS’ "Face the Nation." "It’s better than what we have now."
If it is so great, why was it crafted in secret? Why are so many People not only against it, but incensed by it? It may be "better then what we have now," but amnesty is amnesty. Why not craft a bill that starts by enforcing the laws? One which discourages illegals from coming to our country? Why not start by showing that the US government is willing to enforce current laws, including border security, first? Why should we believe anything from the Senate, left or right, when they haven’t done anything to uphold said laws?
It should be interesting to see the approval polls for Congress and the President this week.
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I think they are too busy putting border agents in jail and and on trial for them to work on enforcing the current laws. I mean jeezzz – they have ROEs like our Soldiers do in the GWOT.
It will be interesting to see the poll numbers this week! lol
If this bill passes, the Senators who vote for it better line up for new jobs. There will be a huge revolt from both liberals and conservatives.