US Senate Immigration Overhaul in Doubt

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N06381163.htm

WASHINGTON, April 6 (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate compromise on an overhaul of immigration law appeared to get bogged down late on Thursday in the face of opposition by some Republicans who say it would give amnesty to lawbreakers.

It appeared unlikely the Senate would approve before a two-week congressional break on Friday the radical immigration reform that would give millions of illegal immigrants a chance to earn U.S. citizenship.

The bill's backers expressed fear that failure to enact the legislation before lawmakers leave for their spring break could hurt its chances in a congressional election year.

Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada earlier hailed a "breakthrough" on the compromise bill that would include a guest worker program sought by President George W. Bush.

But the two leaders were unable to agree on how many amendments to the bill would be allowed.

as he was shutting down business for the day. Of course, he didn't come out and say it was a division in his own party that was causing the hold up... :evilgrin:

Frist has seemed like he has multiple personality disorder during this whole thing. I have a hard time seeing his political strategy. He started off looking like he was playing to Republican primary voters by talking tough against "amnesty" and then he quickly accepted the current bill that is basically the same thing as the committee bill except for the 2-5 year provision that illegal aliens will easily get around by buying forged documents.