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US Senate opens debate on immigration reform

Agence France-PresseMay 11, 2013 16:46
A US Senate committee opened debate Thursday on an immigration reform bill backed by President Barack Obama, which would lead to legal status for millions of people in the country without papers. The debate could last weeks before moving to a second stage on the Senate floor, where Democrats hold a slender majority. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives would then take up the legislation, with a final vote expected no earlier than the summer.

US senators clash over tying immigration to Boston attack

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 14:34
US senators said Monday that fixing the immigration system would help prevent future terror attacks, and warned it would be "cruel" to exploit the Boston bombings as a reason for delaying reform efforts. Lawmakers in a Judiciary Committee hearing clashed over linking the attack to stronger immigration enforcement, as the Senate considers a landmark bipartisan immigration plan that puts 11 million undocumented migrants on a path to US citizenship

Boston bombings edge into U.S. immigration debate in Congress

April 19, 2013 18:15
By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An already contentious immigration bill became the lightning rod for more controversy on Friday when a senior Republican U.S. senator linked the measure to the Boston Marathon bombings and the hunt for the two ethnic Chechen suspects. "Given the events of this week, it is important for us to understand the gaps and loopholes in our immigration system," Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa said.

Boston bombing edges into U.S. immigration debate in Congress

April 19, 2013 15:31
By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An already contentious immigration bill became the lightning rod for more controversy on Friday when a senior Republican U.S. senator linked the measure to the hunt in Massachusetts for a suspected Boston Marathon bomber. "Given the events of this week, it is important for us to understand the gaps and loopholes in our immigration system," Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa said.

Tears and rage as victims watch US gun bill die

Agence France-PresseApril 17, 2013 21:15
Three startling words rang out in the US Senate after lawmakers on Wednesday rejected an amendment aimed at expanding background checks for gun sales: "Shame on you!" Patricia Maisch, a survivor of the 2011 Tucson shooting that killed six people and severely wounded a US lawmaker, was ejected from the chamber, but not before putting into words the emotions felt by many in the Capitol after senators defeated the most ambitious gun safety measure in nearly 20 years.

Wednesday is 'High Noon' for US gun legislation

April 16, 2013 23:30
The US Senate faces a showdown Wednesday over gun rights, but even supporters of a contentious compromise on background checks conceded they might still be short of the necessary votes. Majority Leader Harry Reid said he scheduled up to nine votes on amendments, including one that expands background checks to all commercial sales, and others that ban assault weapons, restrict the size of ammunition clips and criminalize gun trafficking.

Gun background checks short of votes in US Senate

April 16, 2013 17:01
The US Senate faces a showdown this week over gun rights, but even supporters of a contentious compromise on background checks conceded Tuesday that they are still short of the necessary votes. President Barack Obama expressed optimism about the proposed bill and said it would be "unimaginable" if Congress defied strong public support for the measure, especially after the Newtown school massacre in December.

U.S. Senate group resolves key issues on immigration reform - lawmakers

March 31, 2013 15:00
By Thomas Ferraro and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With U.S. business and labour now in agreement, a bipartisan group of senators has resolved all major issues in a pending deal to overhaul the U.S. immigration system and aims to unveil it after Congress reconvenes in the second week of April, key lawmakers said on Sunday.

Key US senator: immigration deal 'very close'

March 21, 2013 16:03
Eight US senators crafting an overhaul of immigration policy are on the verge of finalizing a deal that could bring 11 million undocumented migrants out of the shadows, one of the lawmakers said Thursday. Senator Chuck Schumer, the leading Democrat in the bipartisan Gang of Eight, said the plan, which members of the group said will include a "pathway to citizenship," was on track for completion by the end of the month.

US Senate panel backs tougher gun background checks

March 12, 2013 17:32
A US Senate panel voted along party lines Tuesday to approve a Democratic bill requiring universal background checks for firearm sales, but passage through the full Congress will be more problematic. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-8 for the bill, which would close a loophole that allows unchecked sales at gun shows and on the Internet. If passed, the measure -- seen as a key element of President Barack Obama's push to reduce weapons violence -- would result in the most substantial change to US gun legislation in a generation.
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