Immigration reform bill on the ropes

As we mentioned in yesterday’s “Titulares…”, the Senate voted against ending debate on a bipartisan immigration reform bill; thus, putting the bill in danger of being defeated before it even gets to a yes-or-no vote. Congressional leaders for both the Democrat and Republican parties have resorted to blaming each other for the proposal’s continued delays:

“Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he hoped to pass the measure eventually, but he devoted much of his post-vote comments Thursday night to accusing President Bush of doing too little to obtain Republican support. ``This the president's bill,'' Reid told a hushed chamber. ``Where are the president's people helping us with these votes?''

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., defended the administration. ``The White House has worked like a dog,'' he told reporters. Indeed, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff lobbied senators inside the Capitol right up until Thursday's showdown vote”.

The bill is comprehensive and allows for the creation of a visa for certain illegal immigrants, a “points system” based on factors like education and language skills, and increased border security. So far it has survived several attempts to amend it such as this one from Wednesday.

Image- USA TODAY (According to the photo’s caption “Sens. Harry Reid, center, Richard Durbin, right, and Charles Schumer brief reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Thursday”)

Sources (English)- The Latin Americanist, Guardian UK, BBC News, Reuters, CNN

Sources (Spanish)- La Opinion