Few senators support the Immigration bill, according to a "survey" by The Moonie Times

[jefferson_dem]

Few senators support the illegals bill
By Stephen Dinan and S.A. Miller
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
May 21, 2007

Fewer than 20 senators are publicly committed to supporting the immigration deal that hits the Senate floor today while nearly 40 are already opposed or have serious concerns, underscoring how difficult it will be for President Bush and his allies to craft a coalition that can pass the bill.

A Washington Times survey of Senate offices and public comments after the deal was announced Thursday found an additional 32 senators who said they cannot even take a position yet -- a result of the fact that the deal was written in secret by a dozen senators and the Bush administration, wasn't even finalized until yesterday and still hasn't reached many Senate offices.

<SNIP>

Opposition comes from the left and the right -- and both sides are vowing to offer amendments to try to move the bill. What is not clear is whether the two sides will be willing to team up to scuttle the bill.

The Times survey found 17 senators supporting the current bill and another two who lean toward supporting it; 17 who oppose it; 22 who have concerns; and 32 senators who are still reviewing it. Nine senators' positions couldn't be determined, and Sen. Tim Johnson, South Dakota Democrat, has been absent all year because of a medical situation.

<SNIP>

Those on the left want to preserve current family immigration preferences and scale back the guest-worker program, which would allow 400,000 new temporary workers a year. Under the current bill, they could work for two years, then have to return home for a year, and could renew for three work periods.

<SNIP>

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070521-121929-4099r.htm

[jody]

1. 1/3 yea versus 2/3 nay is probably close to public support versus opposition. n/t

[pampango]

2. I love the sentence: "Opposition comes from the left and the right".

Other than opposition to the guest worker program I'm not sure how much else the "left" is united about. Of course, the "right" is only united in opposition to "amnesty" (I think), so they are in the same position.