MENENDEZ-LEAHY BILL DROPS

While I was out of town yesterday, the Menendez-Leahy immigration reform bill dropped in the Senate. The bill is not going to go anywhere this session or in the lame duck session after the election. Perhaps it is meant to re-emphasize to base voters that the Democrats are the pro-immigration party. In any case, the bill has some similarities to the Gutierrez bill, though it definitely is more enforcement-oriented. While I usually summarize major immigration proposals, I simply don't take this seriously enough to want to bother. For one, it's not co-sponsored by Senator Schumer, the chair of the Senate Immigration Subcommittee, which means that this is not the bill that will have the Democrats' official blessing. And second, given the timing of the introduction, the bill has no serious chance of being marked up, debated or eventually the subject of a vote. 

Comments

[George Chell]

"This bill was political posturing and deservedly so it meat a predictable destiny. This bill was not meant to fix the immigration system but rather it was just to keep playing the political football game that politicians play with the immigration issue and many people's lives."

The events in CA would have much more of an effect on elections than the posturing in the Senate. I think the electoral locks of the Bush era are beginning to re-emerge. With the west coast and northeast (other than PA) moving to the Dems while the vast interior (with the exception of Minnesota and Illinois) moving towards the GOP.

[George Chell]

"Rahm Emanuel to quit as COS today & run for Mayor of Chicago. That's a great news for the immigrant community. George Chell would agree on this."

Not just that! Rahm Immanuel is the main reason why the Dems will loose the House and at least come close to loosing the Senate. Two Murdochs made headlines. One was Rupert's great niece back in Australia and the second was Rupert himself...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/mediamonkeyblog/2010/oct/01/rupert-murdoch-immigration

It is a disgrace when a Republican owner of Faux news supports immigration and the so-called liberal Rahm Immanuel tries to thwart legislation.

[Another Voice]

This bill was political posturing and deservedly so it meat a predictable destiny. This bill was not meant to fix the immigration system but rather it was just to keep playing the political football game that politicians play with the immigration issue and many people's lives.

[My 2 cents]

Rahm Emanuel to quit as COS today & run for Mayor of Chicago. That's a great news for the immigrant community. George Chell would agree on this.

[Jim]

Then there's a chance for more piece-meal legislations. The DREAM Act, visa recapture, AgJobs and ENSRA should be priorities during the lameduck session.