CNN.com: GOP leadership backs away from tough immigration measure

[Destino]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/12/immigration/index.html

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The top Republicans in both the House and Senate are indicating they don't support language in an immigration bill that would make entering the country illegally a felony.

The proposal has drawn the ire of pro-immigrant groups that have staged a wave of protests in recent weeks.

The provision making illegal immigration a felony was contained in an immigration reform bill passed by the House in December. But in a joint statement issued Tuesday evening, House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee both indicated they wanted the language dropped.

Perhaps those protests were more effective then some people thought eh?

[stevenaa]

Politicians bowing down to special interest. Can't risk those latino votes by doing the right thing.

[Destino]

Politicians bowing down to special interest. Can't risk those latino votes by doing the right thing.

Elected officials worried about votes? Damn someone better do something or this whole representative government thing might catch on.

[Mass_SkinsFan]

Come on, why does this surprise anyone? The Republicans don't have any more real morals and values than the Democrats do. They just do a little better job of announcing their "convictions" loudly and then being much quieter about it when they turn tail and run from them the moment there's any opposition to their "policies".

[AJ_Skins]

You have to have some concept of how the Congress functions. The House routinely puts out tough language because they know the Senate is soft and whatever they do will eventually be watered down. In this case, there's an even dirtier element to why it's there-- the Republicans in the House tried to vote to take out the felony provision, but the Democrats forced them to keep it in, because they thought it would be a good issue use to sucker feckless saps into opposing enforcement altogether.

[@DCGoldPants]

You have to have some concept of how the Congress functions. The House routinely puts out tough language because they know the Senate is soft and whatever they do will eventually be watered down. In this case, there's an even dirtier element to why it's there-- the Republicans in the House tried to vote to take out the felony provision, but the Democrats forced them to keep it in, because they thought it would be a good issue use to sucker feckless saps into opposing enforcement altogether.

You're on a roll this morning. You whiffed a lot during little league right?, then still whiffed in t-ball, right?

[SkinInsite]

You have to have some concept of how the Congress functions. The House routinely puts out tough language because they know the Senate is soft and whatever they do will eventually be watered down. In this case, there's an even dirtier element to why it's there-- the Republicans in the House tried to vote to take out the felony provision, but the Democrats forced them to keep it in, because they thought it would be a good issue use to sucker feckless saps into opposing enforcement altogether.

But why would the manly republicans back off from the girly democrats.

[boobiemiles]

This is a real interesting developement. The fabric of democracy will be examined very shortly in my opinion. It's obvious that the Latino community has powwer to sway political opinion. And they can march and get things done. I feel a sense of resentment though. They didn't have to get water hoses, and lynched for their rights. But I'm glad they are standing up for them, just the same.

[LApunkrocker72]

You have to have some concept of how the Congress functions. The House routinely puts out tough language because they know the Senate is soft and whatever they do will eventually be watered down. In this case, there's an even dirtier element to why it's there-- the Republicans in the House tried to vote to take out the felony provision, but the Democrats forced them to keep it in, because they thought it would be a good issue use to sucker feckless saps into opposing enforcement altogether.

Boy, you must love putting your foot in your mouth. :doh:

[Redskins Diehard]

You're on a roll this morning. You whiffed a lot during little league right?, then still whiffed in t-ball, right?

I always thought t-ball came before little league?

[Cskin]

Typical.... our Congressional representative believing they know what's best for us MORE than we know what's best for us. A majority of Americans want Border Security... meaning fences... technology... and manpower to guard our borders. We no longer want people slipping across the border and living nearly undetected in our country. We want immigration... for the very reason the ****roaches say we want it... because of the jobs they do that most Americans don't want to do.... but we want entry into this country in a LEGAL AND ORDERLY FASHION...... where immigrants are logged... evaluated for terrorist and health risks.... and where these immigrants can be monitored as they pursue a stringent set of rules and obligations on their way to becoming naturalized American citizens. Is that so hard to understand?

For the ****roaches in Washington... all they understand is votes... and either gaining power or retaining power. :doh:

[Sarge]

WHy should the Repubs care about these marches. They only way these people can vote is if they have some "help" from Dems.

Since the Repubs decided to de-ball this bill, they probably just signed their own election defeat this fall

[@DCGoldPants]

I always thought t-ball came before little league?

That was the point, being knocked down a notch and still whiffing.

[Redskins Diehard]

That was the point, being knocked down a notch and still whiffing.

Clever....very clever. But I think whiffing in little league is bad enough.

[PleaseBlitz]

Typical.... our Congressional representative believing they know what's best for us MORE than we know what's best for us. A majority of Americans want Border Security... meaning fences... technology... and manpower to guard our borders. We no longer want people slipping across the border and living nearly undetected in our country. We want immigration... for the very reason the ****roaches say we want it... because of the jobs they do that most Americans don't want to do.... but we want entry into this country in a LEGAL AND ORDERLY FASHION...... where immigrants are logged... evaluated for terrorist and health risks.... and where these immigrants can be monitored as they pursue a stringent set of rules and obligations on their way to becoming naturalized American citizens. Is that so hard to understand?

For the ****roaches in Washington... all they understand is votes... and either gaining power or retaining power. :doh:

I agree with this post.