House to block immigration bill

The immigration bill passed by the Senate appears to have a fatal flaw. Here's the story:

WASHINGTON — A procedural glitch is adding new, and possibly significant, hurdles to the drive in Congress to approve sweeping changes to immigration policy.

The problem stems from the Senate bill that would create a guest worker program and a path to citizenship for many of the illegal immigrants in the U.S. Participants in the guest worker program would pay income taxes; illegal immigrants would, as part of the legalization process, be required to pay back taxes and new fees.

The Constitution, however, gives the House sole authority to originate bills that include revenue measures — and it allows any House member to object if a Senate bill does so.

Late last week, Senate aides said they received word from the House committee with jurisdiction over revenue issues that it would use that constitutional power to block further consideration of the Senate bill.

This may actually be good news if it postpones an immigration bill until after the November elections. At that point, the Dems will almost certainly have more power than they do now, and, hence, would be able to work towards a better bill.