Infinite MonkeysTeddy Kennedy's excreable immigration bill is apparently as hard to kill as zombie.
Senate leaders announced plans Thursday night to revive the White House-backed measure as early as next week, although neither Majority Leader Harry Reid nor his GOP counterpart, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, issued any predictions the bill ultimately would pass.Instead, they issued a statement that said in its entirety: "We met this evening with several of the senators involved in the immigration bill negotiations. Based on that discussion, the immigration bill will return to the Senate floor after completion" of sweeping energy legislation that has occupied the Senate this week.
In other words, they are working on this bill (again) in secret — no messy hearings, strict limits on amendments, just jam it through. Secret Senate deals do not have a good track record of becoming legislation, so my money is still on no deal. The House, frankly, will simply not allow this to happen. At least that is the prediction of Rep. Peter King on Mark Levin's radio show last week, based on what he hears from Pelosi and other Democrats. And the reason for that opposition? It is too restrictive on "chain migration," the ability of 20 million illegal immigrants to bring in their extended families. Egads!
Meantime, Trent Lott, the smooth-sounding but ill-tempered dolt is not doing his fellow pro-illegal immigration pals any favors by further irritating the loud opposition to this bill. A choice quote sure to make the talk-show rounds:
The Republican whip, Trent Lott of Mississippi, who supports the bill, said: “Talk radio is running America. We have to deal with that problem.”
How foolish of the people to think they run the country. We need to know our place, which is allowing senators to run the country from a back room.
And, say, Trent. How would you go about dealing "with that problem" of broad public opposition? Character assassination? Going on what's left of Air America? Bringing back the Fairness Doctrine? What a sore loser. What a jerk. It was right-wing talk radio that tried to save Trent's sorry ass over that foolish Strom Thurmond comment. It was talk radio that pointed out the double standard the press has for "gaffes" committed by Republicans and those committed by the left's beloved Democrats. Thanks a ton for your gratitude, Trent.
At any rate, the bill will probably reach the floor again before the July 4 recess. If right-thinking people can kill it then, it will likely stay (finally) dead.
Posted by Dr. Zaius at June 15, 2007 03:57 PM