Democrats say they won't shoulder the responsibility alone for any comprehensive and politically sensitive plan that includes Bush's proposals to give 12 million illegal aliens a chance at citizenship and to create a guest-worker program.It's not just Bloomberg reporter James Rowley imagining this, he's got quotes:
Substantial Republican support is "a prerequisite," said Democratic Representative Howard Berman of California. Key Democrats and congressional aides from both parties suggest 50 to 60 of the House's 202 Republicans is the minimum backing to guarantee passage. "I would hope the number would be closer to 100," said Illinois Democrat Luis Gutierrez, a sponsor of immigration reform.Shouldn't the need for "bipartisan political cover" be somewhat of an indication that what they want is a bad idea?
..."The only way for us to do meaningful immigration reform is for it to be bipartisan," said Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina, the third-ranking House Democrat. "If that issue's politicized, we're not going to get anywhere."
There are at least 175 House Democrats who would support comprehensive legislation, Gutierrez said. If Republicans produce from 50 to 60 votes, that would put the plan over the top with room to spare and provide the bipartisan political cover both sides want.
"It ain't going to happen without the support of Republican members -- if it happens," said Illinois Representative Rahm Emanuel, a Democratic House leader and supporter of revamping immigration law.
...Arizona Republican Representative Jeff Flake, a sponsor of comprehensive immigration legislation, said he is hopeful for compromise. "A good section of my party" will buy that idea, he said, drawing a parallel with bipartisan support for raising the minimum wage.
Immigration2007a · Fri, 01/26/2007 - 04:24 · · Importance: 1
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Comments
"The only way for us to do meaningful immigration reform is for it to be bipartisan"
This sounds encouraging, but I wonder if Bush and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce can twist enough Republican arms to get the 50 votes anyway? Bush "the decision maker" has declared that he has deep convictions on this issue.
Posted by: Hal K at Jan 26, 2007 10:36 AM
Democrats want to jump for mexico! the fact is most want to be like mexico and live like the mexican rich. they want to shoulder the responsibility ok with 50 billion in the bank and the rest of us live in hell and a terror of being beaten by gang members who work for mexico city.
the rats in our so called government who love like Xavier Beccerra and many others want one thing, all of us removed from the face of the earth as soon as possible, and with the help of the rats called democrats it will happen soon, and anyone standing against this evil acts will be called domestic terrorists and we all know what will come next or do we?
Posted by: Fred Dawes at Jan 26, 2007 8:04 AM