Senators wrangle over English’s status in U.S.

WASHINGTON - A prominent congressional opponent of sweeping immigration legislation conceded Friday the measure is likely to pass next week, adding, “The Senate should be ashamed of itself.”

At the same time, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., predicted that without significant changes, no final compromise would emerge from House-Senate negotiations this year.

Sessions indicated little chance of a filibuster, a tactic that would require supporters to amass 60 votes to prevail.

The Alabama Republican made his remarks at the end of a week of maneuvering on the Senate floor that left the fundamental provisions of the legislation intact. The bill calls for tougher border enforcement, new guest worker programs and an eventual chance at citizenship for most of the estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants already in the country.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., declined to say whether he intends to vote for the measure, although he added, “It’s certainly moving in that direction.” As leader, Frist has played a major role in making sure the legislation reached the Senate floor, although he also has voted for some of the amendments sought by the bill’s foes.

White House caught in ‘linguistic snare’
President Bush has expressed support for the general approach taken in the legislation but has not said whether he favors its passage.

The White House voiced support for two provisions that cleared on Thursday. One declared English to be the national language of the United States. The other deemed it the “common unifying language”

“What the president has said all along is that he wants to make sure that people who become American citizens have a command of the English language,” said White House press secretary Tony Snow. “It’s as simple as that.”

But Attorney General Alberto Gonzales added to confusion over Bush's stance, telling a meeting of state and local officials in Texas that "the president has never supported making English the national language."

Gonzales said Bush has instead long supported a concept called "English-Plus," believing that it was good to be proficient in more than one language.

The White House later stepped in to clarify Gonzales' remarks, saying the president does not believe in English as an "official" language.

"The attorney general got caught in a linguistic snare. He took 'national' language to mean what we describe as 'official' language," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

"We have no problem in identifying English, our common linguistic currency as a national language; we also view it more expansively as the ‘common and unifying language,’” Perino said.

Language assistance threatened?
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., the sponsor of the proposal to declare English the national language, warned senators it was inconsistent to support both measures, adding, “You can’t have it both ways.”

Two dozen senators joined with Bush in doing so.

Supporters agreed that both measures are largely symbolic.

“We are trying to make an assimilation statement,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of two dozen senators who voted Thursday for both proposals.

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