New "Enforcement" Bill Coming from Jon Kyl
By J. James Estrada (07/25/07)
Illegal Immigration Journal.com links to this story out of Arizona: "Sen. Kyl plans new, revised immigration reform bill." Kyl is embattled for his support of the recently defeated immigration reform bill. To be introduced before the August 4th summer recess getaway date for Congress, is this introduction of a leaner and meaner "enforcement only" bill an attempt to regain lost stature among constituents?
Whether it is or isn’t (he could be preparing the bill based solely on principle), Kyl does need to repair the damage done to his reputation among Conservatives not only here in Arizona, but throughout the country. It is thought among Republican circles in his home state that Kyl agreed to take the Republican reigns to the dead horse that was comprehensive immigration reform as a quid pro quo for John McCain’s endorsement of Kyl in the 2006 election. If true, McCain’s moderate stripe and mean streak for all things “McCain” is worse than imagined.
It is doubtful that this new bill will go anywhere but swiftly into oblivion, but Kyl will be able to say that he at least tried. Here is his defense on the notorious Bush-Kennedy-McCain bill:
“I regret not doing a better job explaining what we thought we had accomplished that made the bill acceptable from my point of view,” he said. “Obviously, there were parts of it that I didn’t like. I thought I was getting some pretty good concessions from the other side. And by the way, they had some objections from their side, as well.”
Compromise has always been a part of Congressional history. But compromise on such a critical issue in wake of 9/11 and at a time of war is a promise derived from elitist platitudes, not from common sense.
J. James Estrada
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