2006年VOA标准英语-US Senate Compromise Breaks Deadlock on Im

By Deborah Tate
Washington
06 April 2006
 
Senate leaders have announced a compromise on immigration reform, breaking a deadlock¹ that had threatened to scuttle² legislation on the issue.

 
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., second from right, joined by Senate Democrats⁴ and Republicans during Capitol Hill news conference , April 6, 2006 
  
The bipartisan deal, which was reached after lengthy⁵ negotiations⁶, was announced by Senate Majority leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican.

"The good news is that, because of the hard work of people who are with me, we have had a huge breakthrough, which will allow us to pivot⁷ in the next several hours, that will lead us to the conclusion of passing a very important bill," said Frist.

The compromise is similar to legislation that had been languishing⁸ in the Senate for the past two weeks, which includes a guest worker program. But critics of the original bill opposed provisions that would give the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants a path to citizenship⁹, saying it amounted to amnesty.

The compromise differs by reducing the number of undocumented workers who would be eligible¹⁰ for pursuing citizenship.

Under the deal, illegal immigrants who have been in the United States for more than five years would have a chance to become citizens if they meet a series of requirements, including submitting to a background check and paying a fine.

Illegal immigrants, who have been in the United States for less than five years, but more than two years, would have a chance to get a temporary work visa. They would be required to leave the country and re-apply to come back.

Those illegal immigrants who have been in this country for less than two years would have to leave the country, and compete with other foreign residents seeking legal entry.

The Senate's top Democrat³, Senator Harry¹¹ Reid of Nevada, is pleased by the compromise, but warns that the legislation could still be scuttled¹² if opponents try to amend¹³ it.

"We are not there yet. We cannot declare victory. But we have moved a long ways down the road," he said.

Senator Saxby Chambliss, a Georgia Republican, is one of those opponents of the deal. He says the compromise - like the original bill - still rewards many of those who came to the United States illegally.

"The amnesty provision is now made very clear," he said. "The amnesty provision is simply that, if you were here for more than two years, you have a direct path to citizenship. The only difference is how you get there."

But President Bush backs the compromise, and is urging the Senate to pass the bill before a two-week congressional recess¹⁴ begins Friday.

"I recognize there are still details to be worked out. I would encourage the members to work hard to get the bill done, prior to the upcoming break," he said.

Any Senate-passed legislation will have to be reconciled with a House-passed measure, which does not include a guest worker program, and which focuses on border security and enforcement.

1 deadlock   

n.僵局，僵持

参考例句：

• The negotiations reached a deadlock after two hours.两小时后，谈判陷入了僵局。
• The employers and strikers are at a deadlock over the wage.雇主和罢工者在工资问题上相持不下。

2 scuttle   

v.急赶，疾走，逃避；n.天窗；舷窗

参考例句：

• There was a general scuttle for shelter when the rain began to fall heavily.下大雨了，人们都飞跑着寻找躲雨的地方。
• The scuttle was open,and the good daylight shone in.明朗的亮光从敞开的小窗中照了进来。

3 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

4 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 lengthy   

adj.漫长的，冗长的

参考例句：

• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
• The professor wrote a lengthy book on Napoleon.教授写了一部有关拿破仑的巨著。

6 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

7 pivot   

v.在枢轴上转动；装枢轴，枢轴；adj.枢轴的

参考例句：

• She is the central pivot of creation and represents the feminine aspect in all things.她是创造的中心枢轴，表现出万物的女性面貌。
• If a spring is present,the hand wheel will pivot on the spring.如果有弹簧，手轮的枢轴会装在弹簧上。

8 languishing   

a. 衰弱下去的

参考例句：

• He is languishing for home. 他苦思家乡。
• How long will she go on languishing for her red-haired boy? 为想见到她的红头发的儿子，她还将为此烦恼多久呢？

9 citizenship   

n.市民权，公民权，国民的义务(身份)

参考例句：

• He was born in Sweden,but he doesn't have Swedish citizenship.他在瑞典出生，但没有瑞典公民身分。
• Ten years later,she chose to take Australian citizenship.十年后，她选择了澳大利亚国籍。

10 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

11 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

12 scuttled   

v.使船沉没( scuttle的过去式和过去分词 )；快跑，急走

参考例句：

• She scuttled off when she heard the sound of his voice. 听到他的说话声，她赶紧跑开了。
• The thief scuttled off when he saw the policeman. 小偷看见警察来了便急忙跑掉。 来自《简明英汉词典》

13 amend   

vt.修改，修订，改进；n.[pl.]赔罪，赔偿

参考例句：

• The teacher advised him to amend his way of living.老师劝他改变生活方式。
• You must amend your pronunciation.你必须改正你的发音。

14 recess   

n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处）

参考例句：

• The chairman of the meeting announced a ten-minute recess.会议主席宣布休会10分钟。
• Parliament was hastily recalled from recess.休会的议员被匆匆召回开会。