In an attempt to wrap up its debate on immigration before a two-week recess, Senate leadership is looking to a compromise, or in conservative terms: an amnesty.
Acccording to a Reuters news report:
Senate leaders on Thursday announced a bipartisan compromise on an overhaul of U.S. immigration laws, giving some illegal immigrants a path to citizenship and creating a temporary worker program.
Senate leaders Bill Frist (R.-Tenn.) and Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) said they plan to present the "American people what they expect, what they deserve" or, in other words, a comprehensive border security and immigration reform bill, according to Reuters.
The report continues:
The deal, which would include a temporary worker program backed by President George W. Bush, would allow illegal immigrants who have been in the United States more than five years a chance to become citizens if they meet a series of requirements and paid a fine. Other rules would apply to people in the country less than five years.
Check out full news story here.
The AP reports the president supports the compromise:
President Bush praised the lawmakers' efforts, noting the details were unfinished, and encouraged them "to work hard and get the bill done."
But, not everyone is happy, and rightly so.
Senators reportedly critical of the compromise include Jeff Sessions (R.-Ala.), John Cornyn (R.-Tex.), Jon Kyl (R.-Ariz.) and Georgia Republicans Saxy Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, according to the AP.
