President George W. Bush and the Republican-led Congress are stalling on immigration legislation aimed at securing U.S. borders and bringing undocumented workers “out of the shadows,” Democratic Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico said.
Bush “has done little to encourage Republican leaders in the House and Senate to send him a fair and balanced bill,” Bingaman said today in the weekly Democratic radio address.
Congressional leaders should be trying to resolve differences in competing versions of immigration legislation that passed the House and Senate rather than scheduling more public hearings on the issue for this summer, he said.
The House in December passed enforcement-oriented legislation requiring employers to certify that workers are eligible to work in the U.S. and allowing construction of fences along the Mexican border. In May, the Senate approved a measure toughening border restrictions while also providing for a guest- worker program and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants now in the U.S.
Republicans have been split over how to deal with an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants. House Majority Whip Roy Blunt said in May that the odds of resolving differences between the House and Senate measures were not “quite at 50-50 yet.” Bush has said he favors the Senate measure. White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters Aug. 3 that “Republicans in the House and Senate I think are working towards something that fits the president’s description of comprehensive reform.” Congress has recessed until September.
-Editor: Fireman.
To contact the reporter on this story: Neil Roland in Washington at (1)(202)624-1868 or nroland@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Ken Fireman at (1)(202)624-1978 or kfireman1@bloomberg.net -0- Aug/05/2006 15:38 GMT 08-05-06 1638GMT
