Reid Threatens Filibuster on Immigration

[deminks]

http://www.examiner.com/Politics-a55586~Reid_Threatens_Filibuster_on_Immigration.html

SAN DIEGO - As the Senate prepares to tackle the most sweeping immigration reforms in years, a top Democrat vowed Wednesday to do everything in his power, including filibuster, to thwart Majority Leader Bill Frist's proposed overhaul.

Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he would "use every procedural means at my disposal" to prevent Frist from bypassing the Judiciary Committee. Frist, R-Tenn., has made clear the Senate will take up his proposal next week if the 18-member committee fails to complete a broader bill.

"If Leader Frist brings a bill to the floor that does not have the approval of the Judiciary Committee, it will not get out of the Senate," Reid told reporters at the San Ysidro border crossing, a few steps from Tijuana, Mexico.

Bob Stevenson, a spokesman for Frist, did not immediately respond to a call Wednesday evening.

Give em hell, Harry!

[lovuian]

1. We can't let all of Mexico in and all the other countries

it will make us MexiAmerica...

[IndyOp]

2. They always throw crap into bills that is the opposite of what they

say they are doing OR that doesn't relate to the bill. The "Clean Skies" and "Healthy Forests" bills were written to allow for more pollution and destruction of the environment.

I know that one item in this bill includes putting people who work with non-profits -- like Catholic Charities or Planned Parenthood or public hospitals -- in legal jeopardy if they help anyone who is an illegal immigrant. So a Spanish-speaking, Mexican-looking woman arrives at the public hospital in labor, hemorrhaging -- if the nurses and doctors treat her they could be fined and/or go to jail. Great law! :sarcasm:

The damn bill probably includes a special section in which big business can let in all of the workers they want to, pay them anything they can get away with, and then throw them back over the boarder at any time.

We do need immigration bills that work -- this isn't one of them.

[mitchtv]

5. Sounds like an unfunded mandate

for local gov't to enforce immigration laws

[KansDem]

16. "Unfunded mandate?" Hey, I remember that line!

Used by the GOP when it was in the minority to bash any and all Democratic proposals. Now they are pursuing unfunded mandates. Who would've thunk the "Party of Fiscal Responsibility" would do this too?

Thanks, mitchtv for reminding us about "unfunded mandates" and about those who used to scream loudest about them the most! :hi:

[mitchtv]

4. Yeah, but you really can't criminalize relatives

of illegals. Enforcement is one thing. It is now and always will be Mexicanized, being that it is conquered lands,in the southwest of course.

[Bridget Burke]

9. No--but it might make us MexiGringolandia

Clue: North America starts up there in the (disappearing) ice & ends at the Isthmus of Panama.

Do you prefer the Republican bill? The Democrats do have a plan to deal with immigration, but it may not be harsh enough for some.

[wisteria]

3. Hillary is involved in this also!

Maybe it's me, but I see a pattern forming here, she also took a major role in the ports issue. Reid supported her on that too. Now, why is it that she gets to be so outspoken and critical and she gets backed by Reid.I don't see other Senators given the same treatment nor the opportunity to lead on two important issues.
I think we have complete DLC control of the Senate with the electorate being manipulated in an attempt to warm them up to Senator Clinton. Just watch and see who gets the most coveted positions to speak out on and who get the support necessary to look good.

[Justitia]

7. I see the pattern you reference. Distant red flags are hoisting in my

mind's eye. Why the hell isn't someone like Russ Feingold getting the red carpet treatment?

Those distant red flags have tiny little ltrs printed on them, and if I squint, I do believe I see "DLC" printed on them, as you postulated....

[jamesinca]

10. My thoughts exactly

Reid has yet to sign on to the Feingold censure. But take on something big like skipping a committee and Harry has balls. Give em Hell Harry. Protect the SCOTUS from fundamentalist judges, he has a hard time with that and getting the Dems to go along with a filibuster. Photo op at the border, give em hell Harry.

I often think I don't understand how DC works because their priorities are just to different from mine.

[laylah]

6. Sorry, but for me

this is too little, too late! I would have preferred Reid used his "dry powder" on Alito and/or Roberts. I am not impressed.

Jenn

[Justitia]

8. Amen, and I am right there w/you. The Alito / Roberts pass was the first

thing I thought of too.

Color me unimpressed as well. I'm tired of feeling like a sucker.

[BlueIris]

11. Yeah, Senator Reid? There were other things to filibuster for, you know.

Oh, right, that would have meant paying attention to actual leaders within the Party. Silly me. Good luck, Harry.

[designforce]

12. Couldn't agree more

Could have used this valuable tool against so many other things:

Alito, Budget Cuts, Tax Cuts, War, but what the hell, the threat is easy to make, actually doing it requires strength, determination, balls. I fear the dems have none of these things anymore save a few...

[The Stranger]

14. And those rights citizens used to have, eviscerated by "Patriot" acts.

Where was he then?

[Lance_Boyle]

13. Give 'em hell?

Fuck that. Go to hell, Harry. Worthless lump of shite. Fascist Chief Justice nominee? No need for a filibuster there. A second fascist SC nominee months later? Still no need for a filibuster. Patriot Act renewal and expansion? Nah - we don't need to get all worked up about that. Let's get really confrontational over this (relatively) unimportant immigration bill. That'll show everyone that the "opposition party" means business. :eyes:

Fuck off, Harry - you missed your chance to lead.

[Brooklyn Michael]

15. Has anyone actually SEEN the bill?

Just a thought, before we go getting all Give 'em hell and/or Fuck off Harry...

This is a VERY hot issue with conservatives and even a lot of moderates. We need to lead the conversation on this, not react to the latest act of Wingnuttery that Frist floats as a Senate bill...

[donkeyotay]

17. I don't know. give em hell or go cheney yerself??? It does seem a strange

place to finally use the dem's one weapon before Frist goes nukular:

from the link:
Reid said the overhaul must include heightened border enforcement, a "guest worker" program and a "path to citizenship" for the estimated 11 million people in the United States illegally. He called legislation by Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., a "good place to start." . . .

Frist unveiled a bill last week that sidesteps the question of temporary work permits. It would tighten borders, punish employers who hire illegal immigrants and provide more visas. end>