WASHINGTON (June 8) -- The Senate divisions that derailed a White House-backed immigration bill -- for now, at least -- mirror the U.S. society's deep differences over the issue, according to polling data, lawmakers and analysts. Those gaps will challenge any effort to get the measure back on track.
While most Senate Democrats appeared to back the bill, several liberal members said it did too little to keep immigrant families together and protect jobs for U.S.-born workers.
The split in the Republican Party was more obvious. The issue pitted social conservatives, who insisted that illegal immigrants not be granted "amnesty" for entering the country unlawfully, against business groups hungry for willing workers in hotels, restaurants, construction sites and other comparatively low-wage, low-skilled workplaces.
A bipartisan group of senators tried for weeks to bridge the chasms, but fell glaringly short Thursday night. Needing 60 votes to end debate and schedule a final vote on the bill itself, they won only 45. Senate leaders set aside the legislation until further notice.
House leaders, meanwhile, said they will not tackle immigration legislation until a Senate bill is completed.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., said he hoped to pass the measure eventually, but he devoted much of his post-vote comments Thursday night to accusing President Bush of doing too little to obtain Republican support. "This the president's bill," Reid told a hushed chamber. "Where are the president's people helping us with these votes?"
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., defended the administration. "The White House has worked like a dog," he told reporters. Indeed, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff lobbied senators inside the Capitol right up until Thursday's showdown vote.
The White House argued the setback was not fatal for Bush's top domestic priority and urged Reid to allow the bill to continue to be debated and eventually receive a vote. Administration officials monitored the developments from Germany where the president was attending the annual summit of world leaders.
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Immigration Bill Derailed in Senate
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The American people have truly spoken; it was overwhelming the phone lines on capital hill like nothing in years!
When you vote, think what is best for our country and its people; not what is best for the Dems, Indis, or the Publicans. Power to the people!
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