Senator Edward Kennedy speaks at news a
briefing after the Immigration Bill failed to move past closure in the
Senate on Capitol Hill, June 28, 2007. (Xinhua/Rueters Photo)
WASHINGTON,
June 28 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate failed again onThursday in a vote to limit
debate on an immigration bill that could provide a path to legal status for
millions of illegal immigrants in the country.
The Senate voted 46 to 53, failing in approving a motion to limit debating
on the bill, a major defeat for President George W. Bush who has called for a
comprehensive overhaul of the country's immigration policies for years.
Before the vote on Thursday, Bush made a last-minute effort to persuade
lawmakers of his own party to render support for the bill.
But the vote was 14 short of the 60 needed to move the bill for final
passage.
Key U.S. Democratic and Republican senators reached a deal with the White
House on immigration reform in May, but on June 7, the Senate voted 45-50
against limiting debate on the legislation, which was supported by President
George W. Bush and would also tighten border security, punish employers for
hiring illegal immigrants, establish a merit-based points system for future
immigrants, and create a guest worker program to be discontinued within five
years.
Leaders of the Senate later agreed to revive the bill, after intensified
efforts by Bush.
U.S. President George W. Bush makes a statement on
the Senate immigration bill to the press at the Naval War College in
Newport, Rhode Island, June 28, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery
>>>
In a speech two weeks ago, Bush said he was
disappointed when the bill was temporarily withdrawn by Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid.
"Leaders of both parties since then have expressed
their commitment to resolving the issues ... and I urge them to do so as quickly
as possible so Congress can pass, and I can sign this year, comprehensive
immigration reform," he said.
On Tuesday, the Senate did revive the bill, but
Republican opponents succeeded in delaying consideration of a package of
amendments to bill.
News reports said with the Senate failing to approve
the bill, it becomes increasingly unlikely that the Senate would take major
actions on the bill before the general elections in 2008.
WASHINGTON, June 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W.
Bush said on Thursday that he was disappointed that the Senate failed to reach
agreement on a comprehensive immigration bill that could tighten the country's
border and provide a path toward legal status of millions of illegal immigrants
in the country. Full story
WASHINGTON, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate revived a
stalled immigration bill on Tuesday that could provide a path towards granting
legal status to the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country. Full story
WASHINGTON, June 14 (Xinhua) -- One week after suffering a
major setback in his effort to overhaul the country's immigration system, U.S.
President George W. Bush on Thursday called Congress to pass a comprehensive
immigration bill so that he can sign it into law this year. Full story
WASHINGTON, June 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W.
Bush met Senate Republicans on Tuesday, one day after his return from a trip to
Europe, pushing them to move forward on an immigration bill that has stalled in
the Senate. Full story
WASHINGTON, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate on Thursday
failed in a crucial vote on an immigration bill that could provide a path toward
legal status to the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country. Full story
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