IMMIGRATION BILL ON THIN ICE

As the senate voted on a number of amendments things began to wither. From the story: The Senate voted 51-46 to reject a proposal by Sen. John Cornyn R-Texas, to bar criminals — including those ordered by judges to be deported — from gaining legal status. Democrats siphoned support from Cornyn's proposal by winning adoption of a rival version that would bar a more limited set of criminals, including certain gang members and sex offenders, from gaining legalization. The Senate backed that amendment 66-32. Later: McCain was joined in opposing the amendment by the Senate's four Democratic presidential hopefuls: Obama, Clinton, Joe Biden of Delaware and Chris Dodd of Connecticut. Cornyn prevailed on another matter opposed by the grand bargainers, however. His amendment, adopted 57 to 39, would make it easier to locate and deport illegal immigrants whose visa applications are rejected. (AP) According to the Heritage Foundation, the amnesty would cost $2.6 trillion. (Heritage)