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US House Republicans reject immigration bill
Posted: 27 June 2007 0920 hrs



WASHINGTON: An influential group of Republicans in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected President George W. Bush's sweeping immigration reform bill – before even seeing the final product.

The House Republican conference voted by 114 votes to 23 in favour of a resolution expressing opposition to an immigration reform bill which is struggling to pass in the Senate, before being sent to the House.

Democratic leaders in the House have warned Bush he will need to piece together around 70 Republican votes to ensure passage of the bill – to make up for Democrats from conservative districts who may oppose it.

"Today's vote illustrates overwhelming opposition among Republicans in the House to the Senate immigration bill and the process in which it was developed," said House Republican Pete Hoekstra, who drafted the resolution.

"The Republican Conference has always advocated for immigration reform, but the Senate bill is bad public policy that does not reflect our position."

Earlier the Democratic-controlled Senate voted narrowly to revive the bill, which collapsed in the Senate earlier this month, but it still has a rocky path to passage in the chamber, with a vote taking place possibly by the end of this week.

Currently in the House, there are 201 Republicans. Majority Democrats hold 231 seats.

The House Republican conference is an organization of party members in the House and works with the leadership to formulate policy.


- AFP/so