Immigration Reform, back??!

By Eunice Moscoso | Monday, February 11, 2008, 02:19 PM

House Democrats are crafting a “scaled-down” immigration reform measure despite the political minefields that surround the issue, the Roll Call newspaper reported Monday.

It says that Hispanic members — including Rep. Joe Baca — are seeking five-year visas for illegal immigrants who pay fines and pass criminal background checks. Baca, a California Democrat chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Baca said the prospects for a compromise package were discussed in high-level meetings that included Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, who chairs a key immigration subcommittee, Roll Call said.

The paper added: “It’s unclear if the behind-the-scenes discussions will actually result in a bill coming to the floor, but Democrats say drafts of legislation already have been written and are being vetted behind the scenes.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...gration_p.html

i just posted this hah.

LOL we posted at the same time..Please delete

From what I read there was no possibility of CIR coming to either house or the senate. In an article Pelosi said the senate must act first before the house on issues like CIR. However, if this new development gains momentum it would be awesome, at very least the issue is not being ignored. On a side not, does Dream need to be re-introduced since its last vote failed? I was just wondering.....

The smart thing for Durbin and Co. to do is not bring DREAM back but a measure with a different name and along the lines of the one Kay Bailey Hutchinson wanted.

That would be a good idea, but I belief it would be more beneficial is Hutchison took a role of leadership along with Durbin on the issue.

Good stuff, something better pass soon because i've been freezing my butt of waiting for the bus this winter.

hopefully, CIR will pass soon next year, and DA will pass this year....

Why does Pelosi insist that the Senate must act first with regards to CIR? Is it a procedural thing??

Not procedural, just political. I wouldn't worry too much on Pelosi insisting on Senate acting first, she's just trying to cover herself, but if enough momentum is in favor for House acting first, she'll change her mind.