Durbin's Flawed Bill Defeated

Immigration reform is a work-in-progress, but this does not sound like we are at a good solution yet, and the bill pushed by Sen. Dick Durbin was defeated today. Washington Times:

When various benefits of the Dream Act are added up, the rules give illegals a faster path to citizenship than lawfully present aliens.

More thinking here outlined in the LA Times:

Republicans objected both to the timing of the bill and to its substance. Some complained that the Senate had several spending bills to process and should not be debating a controversial immigration measure.

"We've yet to send a single appropriations bill," said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

Noting that the Internet tax moratorium expired in "exactly one week" and that 50 million taxpayers could become ensnared in a confusing tangle if Congress did not address the average minimum tax, McConnell said, "We have an enormous amount of work and we're running out of time."

Others, like Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), said the bill was flawed, citing the fact that Dream Act beneficiaries would not be required to graduate college with a degree.

Some who had been supportive of the measure when Durbin brought it up on previous occasions were unenthusiastic. "Even though there's merit in the goal of the Dream Act, I feel this should be part of a comprehensive approach," said Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.).

We need comprehensive immigration reform with broad consensus, not demagoguery and name-calling from Dick Durbin. It's too important an issue to deal with piecemeal.

And we need that internet tax moratorium extended and the onerous AMT addressed.

Stop wasting our time, Senator.

Previous posts: Durbin for Pork over Pregnant Women, Sauerberg: Durbin & Dems Tax Hikes, Durbin Slips on SCHIP