VOA标准英语2013--专家分析移民改革在今年内不太可能通过

 

Expert, Congressional Aides: Immigration Reform Unlikely This Year 专家分析移民改革在今年内不太可能通过

CAPITOL HILL — President Barack Obama and Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives are pushing for the Republican majority to allow a vote on reforming the U.S. immigration system.  The Senate passed an immigration reform bill with bipartisan support in June.  But congressional aides and political experts say the Republican Party is still divided over immigration, and the House is not likely to tackle the issue any time soon.  

Fixing the broken U.S. immigration system is one of President Obama's top priorities.

Surrounded by pro-immigration activists², he called on the House to act.

"And whether you are a Republican, or a Democrat¹ or an Independent, I want you to keep working and I am going to be right next to you to make sure we get immigration reform done," he said.

Democratic leaders in Congress also gathered, calling on House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican, to bring a bill to the floor.

“So my question is, Speaker Boehner, what are you waiting for?" asked Democratic representative Linda Sanchez. "The American people have spoken, they are ready for comprehensive immigration reform, let’s have a vote!”

Speaker Boehner was cautious when asked if he thinks a vote is possible this year.

“I still think immigration reform is important.  It’s a subject that needs to be addressed, and I am hopeful,” he said.

The Senate bill gives preference to an estimated 11 million people living in the country illegally over security on the U.S. border with Mexico, some Republicans say.  Some oppose any bill that would legalize those who entered the country illegally.  Immigration expert Audrey Singer says the House will not take up the Senate's bill.

"The Senate passed something comprehensive, which had many, many elements of reform in one complete bill. The House and Speaker Boehner have said they are not going that route, that they are looking at discrete³ bills that discuss discrete issues," said Singer.

While pushing Congress to act, the president voiced pessimism⁴.

"Now, obviously, just because something is smart and fair and good for the economy and fiscally⁵ responsible and supported by business and labor⁶ - and the evangelical community and many Democrats⁷ and many Republicans, that does not mean that it will actually get done.  This is Washington, after all," he said.

After the bruising⁸ fight over the president's health care law and a government shutdown that hurt Republicans' standing⁹,  some analysts¹⁰ and congressional aides have said they doubt the House will take action on immigration this year.  And next year, with mid-term congressional elections, lawmakers may be determined¹¹ to avoid divisive issues like immigration. 

1 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。

2 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 discrete   

adj.个别的，分离的，不连续的

参考例句：

• The picture consists of a lot of discrete spots of colour.这幅画由许多不相连的色点组成。
• Most staple fibers are discrete,individual entities.大多数短纤维是不联系的单独实体。

4 pessimism   

n.悲观者，悲观主义者，厌世者

参考例句：

• He displayed his usual pessimism.他流露出惯有的悲观。
• There is the note of pessimism in his writings.他的著作带有悲观色彩。

5 fiscally   

在国库方面，财政上，在国库岁入方面

参考例句：

• Nor will fiscally stretched governments pump more money into the political equivalent of a leper colony. 财政吃紧的政府也不愿将更多的钱投入这个避之唯恐不及的政治瘟疫区。
• We are more fiscally constrained, which forces us to work smarter and more efficiently. 与F-15相比我们资金上的限制更大了，美女类小游戏，这迫使我们更为精心和有效地工作。

6 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

7 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》

8 bruising   

adj.殊死的；十分激烈的v.擦伤(bruise的现在分词形式)

参考例句：

• He suffered cracked ribs and bruising. 他断了肋骨还有挫伤。
• He slipped and fell, badly bruising an elbow. 他滑倒了，一只胳膊肘严重擦伤。 来自辞典例句

9 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

10 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

11 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。