Senate Breaks Deadlock On Immigration

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...n1610270.shtml
WASHINGTON, May 11, 2006
(CBS/AP)


Senate leaders say they have reached a deal to revive a broad immigration bill that could provide millions of illegal immigrants a chance to become American citizens. The agreement doesn't involve provisions of the law, but it does end, for now, a lingering political standoff.

The agreement brokered by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., breaks a political stalemate that has lingered for weeks.

Key to the agreement is who will be negotiating a compromise with the House and its tough enforcement-only bill.

The House passed much more strict immigration legislation in December. It would subject the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States to felony charges as well as deportation.