Senate Moves Closer to Vote on Immigration

With Republicans still deeply divided, Senate Democrats moved Tuesday to force a showdown over immigration reform, filing a motion to end debate and vote on a bill that provides the option of citizenship to guest workers and illegal immigrants already in the United States.

The move means the Senate will have to vote Thursday on whether to end debate. That in turn could force action on final passage three days later for the bill now on the Senate floor, which has White House support but does not command a majority among Republicans in either chamber of Congress.

“We’ve got to move this to a showdown vote,” said Sen. Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s second-ranking Democratic leader. “The members on the other side of the aisle will have to make a choice. I think the momentum is with us.”

In essence, Democrats -- who generally favor less restrictive treatment of illegal immigrants than many Republicans do -- sought to take advantage of GOP divisions by forcing a vote on the relatively moderate approach now on the Senate floor before the Republican majority could hammer out an agreement on a more severe measure.

Republicans, who failed again Tuesday to bridge their differences on the immigration proposals, reacted angrily to the Democratic maneuvering.

“This was premature and immature given the velocity of the debate,” said Eric Ueland, chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.). Frist has said he wants to complete legislation by Friday, and failure to reach that goal would be a blow to his image as an effective leader at a time when he is preparing to run for president.

Although many Republicans have not made up their minds, fewer than half are believed to support the current bill, which was passed by the Judiciary Committee last week with some Republican support.

Earlier in the day, Democrats had used parliamentary procedures to block debate on an amendment that could make some or all visitors who overstay their visas ineligible for legalization or citizenship.

“We’re going to work hard to make sure that the bill is not damaged before leaving the floor,” said Minority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.). “But if there’s any effort to denigrate this bipartisan bill, then we won’t have votes on those amendments.”

“I’m very frustrated now,” Frist said on the Senate floor. “It’s very apparent now that the other side is trying to block a bill.”

Durbin said all but a handful of the Senate’s 44 Democrats and one independent supported the bill as currently drafted. In the Senate, 60 votes are needed to ensure passage and override a possible filibuster by opponents.

“If they can produce 20-plus votes, we can get a bill this week,” Durbin said of the Republicans.

Even before Democrats filed the motion to end debate, Republicans accused them of being obstructionist and trying to scuttle the bill by blocking debate over amendments. And the atmosphere on and off the Senate floor grew more and more heated during the day, as Republicans realized Democrats were digging in their heels.

“I feel like there are those who are trying to jam this version of the bill down our throats ... trying to deny those of us who have different ideas from presenting those ideas,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who opposes any citizenship provision for workers currently in the United States illegally.

Democrats were unapologetic, with Reid noting pointedly that Republicans had repeatedly barred the minority from offering amendments on other legislation.

“As my mother would say, they’re getting a taste of their own medicine,” Reid said.

Members and staff were meeting into the evening in an effort to agree on a compromise that might permit votes on less controversial amendments.

Republicans were also debating whether to file a countermotion to the Democrats that would force a vote on a competing bill -- currently on the sidelines -- that would enhance border security but does not include a guest-worker program or legalization.

Both sides said it was too soon to predict the demise of the immigration reform effort.

“We have time on our side. As we get closer to recess, cooler heads will prevail,” said Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.).

Despite holding a string of meetings in recent days, Republicans have reported little progress toward bridging their differences, however. Senators said discussion at the weekly Republican strategy lunch was lively, loud, and in the end, inconclusive.

“We’re 100 senators and I think if you polled us you would find 100 different ways of dealing with illegals,” said Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.).

“We’re still looking for the magic formula,” said Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.).

The question of giving citizenship to the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States has become the major stumbling block for some senators, especially conservative Republicans, who argue that it is an “amnesty” that undermines respect for the law and will encourage more immigrants to cross the border illegally.

The bill currently under debate would boost enforcement, create a guest-worker program with a path to legal status and offer the possibility of citizenship to illegal immigrants who meet certain requirements, including learning English and paying back taxes.

The bill would also limit the opportunity for citizenship to illegal immigrants in the country on or before Jan. 7, 2004, and they would only be processed after legal immigrants who have already applied.

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, did not express optimism that Republicans could overcome their differences quickly enough to meet the Friday deadline.

“We have retrogressed,” he said.

Senators said White House officials continued to be deeply involved in discussions. President Bush has urged Congress to pass a guest-worker program, but has said that he would not favor a program that allowed illegal immigrants to gain citizenship before those already in line for legal permanent resident status.