The Resurrection of the Immigration Bill

For many who went home jubilating for the sudden death of the famous immigration bill, there is need to end the gusto and re-energize your supporters once again. The bill is back on the forefront of the senate legislative agenda next week.

The bill collapsed after the so-called "ground bargain" group could not persuades conservative Republicans and some moderate Democrats on key provision on the bill that deals with amnesty for illegal immigrants and border security.

Several senators from both parties, who were not carried along during the negotiation on the bill, objected to the procedure orchestrated by the senate leaders and the president. In view of this, they offered various amendments aimed at killing the bill during last week debate.

The president, who was away during the debate, was not pleased by the development. Upon arrival, he planned an unprecedented visit to the Capitol to persuade Republican senators to give the bill a second chance. The president attended a press conference, which has key backers of the bill on the Republican side, after a close door negotiation.

The president threw his support behind an immediate $4.4 billion funding for "securing our borders and enforcing our laws at the work site." According to an Associated Press reporter on examiner.com, this compromise from the president, paved way for the resurrection of the bill, which is slated for next week.

Under a new deal reached by both senate leaders, Republicans and Democrats each will be given up to 12 opportunities to offer any amendment to the measure, with the determination that they will be able to muster 60 votes that is needed to overcome the filibustering plan by die-hard opponents of the bill.

In a careful and cautious statement realized by the White House spokesman Scott Stanzel, he remarks "We are encouraged by the announcement from senate leaders that comprehensive immigration reform will be brought back up for consideration."