This is from a right-wing group, but I think it's very helpful in knowing where the legislation stands.
http://www.rightsidenews.com/2010011...y-11-2010.html
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Thus, the CHC must now decide whether to concede to the Senate language. Last week, Capitol Hill blogs indicated that the CHC was considering capitulating on its position in exchange for a promise from the Obama Administration that the White House would begin pushing amnesty legislation in early 2010. (TPMDC, January 4, 2010). However, on January 5, The Atlantic reported that the CHC had not reached such an agreement. In fact, a spokesperson from the CHC stated that the caucus' position "remains the same: it opposes provisions in the Senate health care bill that would negatively impact immigrants." (The Atlantic, January 5, 2010).
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As Introduction of Senate Amnesty Bill Looms, McCain and Graham Face Repercussions at Home
Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) are expected to introduce an immigration bill in the U.S. Senate early this year. (Politico, December 15, 2009). Pro-amnesty advocates are urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to take up the issue by February, and just last week a Schumer spokesman stated, "We've said we can have something that can be ready to go whenever the president chooses, as soon as early this year." (Id.; Talking Points Memo, January 5, 2010).
Unlike the attempts in 2006 and 2007 to pass amnesty legislation, this year Democrats have been largely unsuccessful in getting prominent support from Republicans. In fact, the House amnesty bill, CIR ASAP, was introduced in December 2009 by 93 Democrats and 0 Republicans. Senator Graham, however, is attempting to change that, working behind the scenes with Schumer to draft a bill and trying to win support from other Republicans. (Wall Street Journal, August 7, 2009).
Graham's efforts have not gone unnoticed in his home state of South Carolina. Last Monday, the Republican Party of Lexington County voted to censure the senator because of his position on immigration and spending. (The State, January 6, 2010). The resolution carries no official penalty, but it is the third time a county Republican Party in South Carolina has voted to censure Graham. Id. The Greenville GOP censured him two years ago for his support of immigration reform. Id. The sponsor of the most recent censure stated that "The grass-roots Republican people of South Carolina don't like the way he is representing the state." Id. However, Graham has dismissed this vote as the "misplaced priorities" of narrow interests within the larger Republican Party, rather than a rebuke of him.
In contrast, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has stayed away from Schumer and Graham's amnesty negotiations so far, stating that he would not support an immigration bill that did not have a guest worker program. Nevertheless, his long-standing support for amnesty is causing complications in his campaign for re-election this fall. His challengers in the Republican primary include Chris Simcox, one of the founders of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. Simcox has been highly critical of McCain and recently stated, "Illegal immigration certainly will still be a key issue, because now, more than ever, people are going to see the costs to the taxpayers. It's about security, it's about rule of law, it's about cost, and it's about jobs, jobs, jobs." (The Arizona Republic, January 6, 2010). Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) is also considering running, and has frequently condemned McCain as an amnesty supporter.
Whether McCain will eventually commit to support amnesty legislation is uncertain, but it is clear that Arizonans are watching
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