BREITBART.COM - Senate OKs Border Fence, Backs Citizenship

The Senate agreed to give millions of illegal immigrants a shot at U.S. citizenship and backed construction of 370 miles of triple- layered fencing along the Mexican border Wednesday, but prospects for legislation clearing Congress were clouded by a withering attack against President Bush by a prominent House Republican.

"Regardless of what the president says, what he is proposing is amnesty," said Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis. the lawmaker who would lead House negotiators in any attempt to draft a compromise immigration bill later this year.

I am pleased that the fencing passed the Senate, a sign that a deal can be worked out. But Mr. Sensenbrenner needs a little more common sense. The tough rhetoric may sound nice in sound bites back home, but will not help his cause. If he wants more secure borders, he needs to drop the phony tough talk, and back up and figure out what is possible to pass as a final bill. Remember, you can always pass tougher legislation later. And half a loaf IS better than nothing.