Kennedy pledges his version of border bill will reach Senate

By Lisa Friedman, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Article Launched:03/20/2007 01:00:00 AM PDT

WASHINGTON - Sen. Ted Kennedy vowed Monday that immigration reform - including citizenship for illegal workers - will hit the Senate floor by June, despite attempts by the White House and other opponents to massage the bill.

With California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez by his side, the Massachusetts Democrat said he and presidential contender Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., are negotiating the measure and that he hopes to introduce legislation "in the very near future."

"California bears a disproportionate amount of the burden," to its health care and education systems because of illegal immigration, Kennedy said. The problem, he contended, is "because we have not had an effective national program."

Nunez met privately with Kennedy about immigration reform as part of a three-day California lobbying blitz with other state legislators. He said Kennedy called the bill "a top priority."

"Obviously, if it doesn't happen, it isn't going to be for lack of effort," Nunez said.