VOA标准英语2013--Washington Week: Focus on Immigration, Same-Sex Marriage

 

Washington Week: Focus on Immigration, Same-Sex Marriage

A proposal to dramatically boost U.S. border security could be the key to unlocking bipartisan support needed to pass comprehensive immigration reform in the Senate.  Democrat Charles Schumer said, “We are on the verge¹ of a major breakthrough.”

The proposal would add 20,000 new border patrol agents, mandate² the construction of more than 1,000 kilometers of new fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border, and boost surveillance technology.  The amendment³ aims to win the support of Republicans who oppose legalizing millions of undocumented immigrants until America’s borders are secure.

Senator John Cornyn said, “We do not have control of our southwestern border.”

President Barack Obama wants to sign a bill into law in coming months. “Stronger enforcement.  A smarter legal immigration system.  A pathway to earned citizenship⁴.  A more vibrant⁵, growing economy that is fairer on the middle class.  And a more stable fiscal⁶ future for our kids," he said.

A final Senate vote could come in the next two weeks. But its passage in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives remains⁷ far from assured.

Meanwhile, the Supreme⁸ Court is expected to weigh in on same-sex marriage.  The court could rule whether states have the right to prohibit gays and lesbians from civil marriage.  Separately, the court is expected to decide whether the federal government must recognize such unions.

President Obama reaffirmed his backing for same-sex marriage rights last week in Germany. “When we stand up for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters and treat their love and their rights equally under the law, we defend our own liberty as well.  We are more free when all people can pursue their own happiness," he said.

Wednesday, Obama departs on a weeklong trip to Africa. 

1 verge   

n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• She was on the verge of bursting into tears.她快要哭出来了。

2 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。

3 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

4 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。

5 vibrant   

adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的

参考例句：

• He always uses vibrant colours in his paintings. 他在画中总是使用鲜明的色彩。
• She gave a vibrant performance in the leading role in the school play.她在学校表演中生气盎然地扮演了主角。

6 fiscal   

adj.财政的，会计的，国库的，国库岁入的

参考例句：

• The increase of taxation is an important fiscal policy.增税是一项重要的财政政策。
• The government has two basic strategies of fiscal policy available.政府有两个可行的财政政策基本战略。

7 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

8 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。