The US Senate Thursday wrote off President Bush's plan to
legalize millions of unlawful immigrants, likely sinking any major
developments on the issue until after the 2008 elections.
The Senate voted 46 to 53 against the bill handing a major
political blow to President George W. Bush, who has called for a
comprehensive overhaul of the country's immigration policies for
years.
Before the vote on Thursday, Bush made frenetic calls to
persuade lawmakers of his own party to render support for the bill.
However, he could provide little argument to overcome his
plummeting approval ratings and the vote fell 14 short of the 60
needed to move the bill for final passage.
Key US Democratic and Republican senators reached a deal with
the White House on immigration reform in May, but on June 7, the
Senate voted 45-50 against limiting debate on the legislation, The
bill was a bipartisan affair which had been supported by President
George W. Bush due to clauses that would see tightened border
security, employers punished for hiring illegal immigrants, a
merit-based points system for future immigrants, and the creation
of a guest worker program that would be discontinued within five
years.
Leaders of the Senate later agreed to revive the bill, after
intensified efforts by Bush.
In a speech two weeks ago, Bush expressed his disappointment
when the bill was temporarily withdrawn by Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid.
"Leaders of both parties since then have expressed their
commitment to resolving the issues ... and I urge them to do so as
quickly as possible so Congress can pass, and I can sign this year,
comprehensive immigration reform," he said.
On Tuesday, the Senate did revive the bill, but Republican
opponents succeeded in delaying consideration of a package of
amendments to bill. News reports indicated that it is now very
likely no action will be taken on this bill before the 2008
presidential elections.
(Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2007)
