Immigration bill showdown for GOP in Senate

[Coexist]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/16/MNGKTHP2TG1.DTL

Party riven over guest worker permits, security at border

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Frist's move threatens the effort to craft a comprehensive immigration bill -- and it could mean President Bush's desire to create a guest worker program will fail again in Congress.

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Despite Bush's backing, House leaders have dismissed such programs as disguised amnesty -- allowing those in the country illegally to become legal residents without penalty -- as have many in the party's base. Instead, the House passed a border crackdown bill in December.

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Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the committee chairman, pleaded for more time, but Frist gave no indication Wednesday that he would relent. Because the Senate is in recess next week, the committee has just two days to hammer out the most complex and highly charged parts of its gigantic bill.

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Polls show Republican voters favor tougher border measures, and Frist is among those who believe the party can capitalize on the issue in this fall's mid-term congressional elections and in the 2008 campaign for the White House.

...however you feel about immigration, it is nice to see the kids fighting over the toy.