WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate Wednesday took up a bill to erect a fence along one-third of the U.S.-Mexico border as GOP leaders conceded that efforts to enact a comprehensive immigration reform law are dead for the year. The fence bill was aimed at achieving at least some progress in addressing the politically potent issue of illegal immigration before Congress adjourns for the midterm elections just six weeks away.
The Senate had passed a broader bill four months ago that combined steps toward tougher border enforcement with new guest worker programs and a controversial plan to give illegal immigrants already in the United States an eventual chance at citizenship.
But with House GOP leaders and more than half of Senate Republicans adamantly opposed to the Senate approach, Majority Leader Bill Frist ceded to reality and brought the border fence bill to the floor rather than adjourn for the year without Congress taking any steps on immigration.
"While I've made it clear that I prefer a comprehensive solution, I have always said we need an enforcement-first approach to immigration reform," said Frist, R-Tenn. "Not enforcement only, but enforcement first."
With a 94-0 procedural vote, the Senate began its move toward the limited approach.
