2006年VOA标准英语-Senate to Vote Thursday on Immigration Reform

By Deborah Tate
Capitol Hill
24 May 2006

Young girl holds sign reading, "We Are Immigrants, Not Criminals," as people march in Los Angeles, CA, 01 May 2006   
  
The Senate has voted (73 to 25) to limit debate on a broad immigration reform bill, clearing the way for expected passage on Thursday.

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The legislation calls for stronger border security measures and the creation of a guest worker program that offers the 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States a path to U.S. citizenship² if they meet several conditions, including paying a fine and learning English.

Senator Ted¹ Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat³ who played a key role in crafting the bill, expects there will be strong bipartisan support for the legislation when the Senate moves to final passage:

"This may be the most important vote that we cast here in the United States Senate for national security and for our humanity," said Mr. Kennedy.

The bill would divide illegal immigrants into three categories: Those in the country five years or longer could stay and pursue citizenship.  Those living here two to five years could apply for legal status, but only after leaving the country.  Those in the United States for less than two years would be ordered home.

Senator Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, defended the proposal, which some critics have called unworkable.

"Is it too unwieldy?  No," he said.  "Does it respond to a very complex set of facts?  Yes.  Is it a way to reconcile a lot of divergent points of view?  Yes.  Does somebody have a better approach?  Not yet."

But a number of Republican conservatives believe the Senate bill is not the answer to immigration reform.  They are particularly opposed to the guest worker provision, arguing that it rewards people who entered the United States illegally with the promise of citizenship.

Senator Jeff Sessions, is an Alabama Republican.

"We have a fundamentally flawed piece of legislation on the floor of the Senate.  It should never, ever, ever become law," he said.

Many in the Republican majority in the House of Representatives agree.

The House-passed immigration reform bill does not include a guest worker provision, and it designates illegal immigrants "felons⁴".  The legislation will have to be reconciled with the Senate bill before a final measure is sent to President Bush for his signature.  Negotiations⁵ are expected to be difficult.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and supporter of the Senate bill, believes the House measure is too harsh, and is calling on his Republican House colleagues to bring more compassion⁶ to the issue.

"We do not need, in my opinion, as Americans, to have the punishment be such that it will destroy families who have done nothing more than to try to make something of themselves," said Mr. Graham.

President Bush also supports the immigration reform approach taken by the Senate.

1 ted   

vt.翻晒，撒，撒开

参考例句：

• The invaders gut ted the village.侵略者把村中财物洗劫一空。
• She often teds the corn when it's sunny.天好的时候她就翻晒玉米。

2 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。

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 felons   

n.重罪犯( felon的名词复数 )；瘭疽；甲沟炎；指头脓炎

参考例句：

• Aren't those the seats they use for transporting convicted felons? 这些坐位不是他们用来押运重犯的吗？ 来自电影对白
• House Republicans talk of making felons out of the undocumented and those who help them. 众议院共和党议员正商议对未登记的非法移民以及包庇他们的人课以重罪。 来自互联网

5 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。

6 compassion   

n.同情，怜悯

参考例句：

• He could not help having compassion for the poor creature.他情不自禁地怜悯起那个可怜的人来。
• Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children.她对于没有母亲的孩子们充满了怜悯心。