Wednesday, August 02, 2006

In Miami, President Bush urges comprehensive immigration reform

"Of all the places in our country, Miami understands the importance of the contribution that the newly arrived can make to a society," President Bush said to applause. "Rational immigration policy is possible, and it's important for members of the United States Congress to work toward a comprehensive immigration plan."

In other news, Congressman Jeff Cornyn (R-TX) called for the House to negotiate a compromise with the Senate, saying, "It is time for some adult supervision and for somebody to say, 'OK, this isn't productive' and have everybody sit down and talk to each other."

House hearings are scheduled not only in states struggling with immigration, such as California, but also in states like Indiana, where several Republican House members are struggling to get re-elected.

From today's Los Angeles Times:
"...House Republicans continue to wield language like a weapon. They call the Senate measure the "Reid-Kennedy bill," referring to Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), ignoring the major roles that GOP Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Mel Martinez of Florida played in crafting the legislation and the support it won from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.).

The House has held more than a dozen hearings on the Senate bill, prompting complaints even from some Republicans."They ought to be called faux hearings," said Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who sponsored a bill, which was defeated, that would have offered citizenship to illegal immigrants.

Several of the upcoming hearings revisit topics covered in the earlier round."

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