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Senate Democrats Will Keep Working on Immigration Overhaul

A trio of Democratic senators will keep drafting an immigration overhaul bill, despite the defection of a key Republican.

Robert Menendez , D-N.J., confirmed Wednesday that he is working with Charles E. Schumer , D-N.Y., and Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., to create a framework that would both enhance border security and establish a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants already in the United States.

Menendez declined to speculate on the timing for a bill, though congressional aides said a draft could begin to circulate as soon as this week, in advance of a series of nationwide pro-immigration rallies planned for Saturday, May 1.

Schumer declined to comment.

Lindsey Graham , R-S.C., the lone Republican negotiating with Democrats on immigration legislation, pulled out of the talks last week. He said Tuesday he believes any effort to pass a comprehensive bill on the issue this year is doomed.

Democrats are still talking to Graham, however, and they are approaching other Republicans to find support. Any bill would need at least one Republican vote to pass, and likely many more, because it is far from clear that all moderate Democrats would vote for such a measure this year.

It will be tough to persuade even moderate Republicans to sign on before the November elections. “It’s cynical in my book,” said Orrin G. Hatch , R-Utah, “There’s no consensus. There could be a consensus if they worked with the right people, but they’re not.”

Graham said Wednesday that he would come back to the table on both the immigration bill and on a climate change measure he was also helping to write only if Democrats first bring up a border security measure that Sen. John McCain , R-Ariz., has proposed.

He wants to turn to a more comprehensive immigration bill next year. [So no longer 2012?] McCain, once a supporter of a broad immigration overhaul, has focused on security while he is locked in a tough GOP primary race against former Rep. J. D. Hayworth, a conservative opponent.

Source: http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cf...y-000003651043