Thank goodness for the recent Congressional action averting an extended federal government shutdown. It looks like enough moderate Republican and Democratic lawmakers may have finally reached a critical mass to actually get some things done in Washington.
On a recent visit there, I had the chance to talk with two of these centrists, Republican Senators Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, and Susan Collins, of Maine, about the current state of affairs in the nation’s capital, and they both shared their frustration with the dysfunction and failure to address key issues. They, along with several middle-of-the-road Democrats like Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, are beginning to stake out a promising governing coalition.
The next test of this coalition will be on the emerging immigration bill. This issue has festered for too long, holding up needed improvements in border security and leaving too many people and businesses in limbo. The compromise being shaped right now aims to balance these interests. It closely follows a proposal made to the White House by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer during the government funding negotiations. The measure would take needed steps to shore up our southern border, including starting to build that wall President Trump has promised, along with other steps to stem illegal immigration and the flow of illicit drugs into the U.S.
In exchange for these needed enhancements to border security, the legislation would offer a path to citizenship for up to 1.8 million illegals currently living here, including the so-called “Dreamers” who were brought here as children. That’s what Democrats have clamored for, and they should now learn to say yes to a deal that can pass and be signed into law.
Other proposed provisions of a compromise bill would address the way extended family members can enter the country, tightening up on “chain migration” to curb excesses in the system. It could also bring U.S. immigration policy closer into line with our neighbor Canada, which puts more emphasis on bringing needed, trained workers into the country rather than just low-skilled, low-wage workers who compete with American workers.