Forget About Immigration Reform Any Time Soon
The Wash Times has polled the Senate about the immigration reform bill crafted last week. As it gets debated in the upper chambers, the numbers aren't looking good:
Senators will be asked to make their first vote on the measure today, on whether to begin debating the bill. It will require 60 votes to pass, and leaders of both parties are urging their members to vote for it, so the debate can at least begin….
The Times survey found 17 senators supporting the current bill and another two who lean toward supporting it; 17 who oppose it; 22 who have concerns; and 32 senators who are still reviewing it. Nine senators' positions couldn't be determined, and Sen. Tim Johnson, South Dakota Democrat, has been absent all year because of a medical situation.
Given the many stupid and unworkable provisions in the bill (such as the "touchback" provisions and increased fines on employers), its failure is not necessarily a bad thing. Though it's likely that any defeat of a "comprehensive" bill (comprehensive being the keyword for any legislation that doesn't seek to immediately deport 12 million illegals currently in the country), will be interpreted as a win for immigration isolationists. But before the Duncan Hunters and Tom Tancredos of the world get worked up on that score, they ought to remember the '06 midterms, in which immigration foes tumbled readily.
Reason's guide to reality-based immigration policy is online here.