The 23 Republicans who voted for the Senate’s amnesty should be ashamed of themselves, but no one deserves the blame more than Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R.-Tenn.).
After tonight’s vote, I received an e-mail from Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s (D.-Nev.) press office. The tone of Reid’s press release wasn’t your typical post-vote reaction from the leader of the minority party. No, this was celebratory communiqué that declared victory over his conservative colleagues.
Have a look for yourself:
DEMOCRATS FOUGHT FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
With staunch opposition from conservative Republicans, Senate Democrats fought for comprehensive immigration reform that will strengthen our borders and bring 12 million undocumented immigrants out of the shadows. By standing up against right-wing Republican efforts to hijack the bipartisan immigration bill, Senate Democrats protected comprehensive immigration reform.
Democrats Stood up for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Senate Democrats fought to defeat an amendment sponsored by Senator Isakson that would have mandated that the legalization program could not begin until the Homeland Security Department certifies that the borders were secure. [RC 121, S. Amdt. 3961 to S.2611, 5/16/06]
Democrats Rejected an Attempt to Strip Out Earned Legalization. Senate Democrats fought to defeat an amendment sponsored by Senators Grassley and Vitter that would have eliminated the provisions that deal with the 12 million undocumented immigrants. It also would have eliminated the AgJobs program. [RC 127, S.Amdt. 3963 to S.2611, 5/17/06]
Democrats Restored the Right for Temporary Workers to Petition for Citizenship. Senate Democrats fought to restore the right of temporary workers to petition on their own for lawful permanent resident status and to reduce their dependence on employers. [RC 129, S.Amdt.4066 to S.2611, 5/18/06]
Democrats Rejected an Attempt to Prevent Legal Temporary Workers from Becoming Permanent Residents. Senate Democrats defeated an amendment sponsored by Senators Kyl and Cornyn that would have prevented legal temporary workers from having any opportunity to become permanent residents. [RC 135, S.Amdt.3969 to S.2611, 5/18/06]
Democrats Rejected an Attempt to Cut the Wages of Agricultural Workers. Senate Democrats defeated an amendment sponsored by Senator Chambliss that would have lowered the wages of agricultural wages. [RC 136, S.Amdt.4009 to S.2611, 5/22/06]
Democrats Rejected an Attempt to Punish Applicants for Earned Legalization. Senate Democrats defeated an amendment sponsored by Senator Cornyn that would have eliminated confidentiality protections for immigrants applying for visas under the earned legalization program. [RC 151, S.Amdt.4097 to S. 2611, 5/25/06]
In addition to the giddy statements from liberal Sen. Teddy Kennedy (D.-Mass.) and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D.-Md.), I’m beginning to wonder if this is a bad dream. Unfortunately, it isn’t.
