Congress May Defer Appropriations, Potentially Frustrating Immigration Advocates
This news is from the e-mail newsletter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association:
As the Pulse goes to press, media reports suggest that Republican leadership in Congress may defer passage of fiscal 2007 spending bills until the 110th Congress begins next year. Rather than take up appropriations legislation when Congress reconvenes on December 5, reports indicate that GOP leaders plan to pass a continuing resolution (CR), which would extend current levels of funding into January.
Plans to pass a CR in lieu of any further appropriations work would frustrate attempts by immigration advocates to enact positive immigration provisions - such as H-1B visa and employment-based green card relief - during the lame duck session, since any immigration measures would need to be passed as part of an appropriations bill. However, Democrats and Republican appropriators oppose deferral of the spending bills, and would prefer to see appropriations legislation completed during December. If these legislators succeed in bringing one or more appropriations bills to the Floor, advocates will still have a chance to push for positive immigration measures.
Check in with AILA's Congressional News and Updates for updated information on the lame duck session and the upcoming 110th Congress, including a list of newly-elected leadership in the House and Senate.
