Dems' immigration bill face obstacles

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-03-24-immigration_N.htm?POE=NEWISVA

Dems' immigration bill face obstacles

By Suzanne Gamboa, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Democrats may have support from President Bush on immigration, but they face other obstacles in getting a bill through Congress.

The Democrats lack enough votes within their party and must overcome lingering Republican disdain for what some consider "amnesty" for some people in the U.S. illegally, as well as union opposition.

The difficulty of their predicament is showing.

The bill's Senate sponsors couldn't agree and gave up their alliance on joint legislation, while its House sponsors introduced their own version, knowing its prospects are heavily dependent on Bush.

"We need to get a bill and he needs to start twisting a few arms," said the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Although Bush supported last year's Senate bill, he also signed a House Republican bill calling for a 700-mile fence on the U.S.-Mexican border. And he did little to persuade Republicans to negotiate an immigration bill.

Originally, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., planned to introduce a sweeping immigration reform bill with their House partners, Reps. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill. an Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.

McCain's enthusiasm withered as he faced a mounting challenge from former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and conservatives on the presidential campaign trail unwilling to accept anything less than deportation of illegal immigrants.

In response, McCain broke with Kennedy and said he is looking at proposals that could pass, including one requiring illegal immigrants to self deport and apply for jobs in the U.S. through private employment centers set up in certain countries.

"Both parties are clear where they need to be on a bipartisan bill and a realistic bill, but the politics of getting there is not easy and the clock is running," said Deborah Meyers, senior policy analyst with the Migration Policy Institute.

FULL story at link

[komda]

1. Ugh

Seems pointless to try to pass anything with Bush in office. :(