Macaca
09-27 05:46 PM
Bill Would Protect Frosh on Immigration (http://www.rollcall.com/issues/53_30/news/20086-1.html) By Jennifer Yachnin | ROLL CALL STAFF, September 20, 2007
House Democratic leaders are drafting a resolution designed to inoculate freshman lawmakers on the issue of immigration, despite concerns from within their own Caucus about reopening debate over the contentious topic.
According to several freshman Democratic lawmakers in attendance at a weekly breakfast meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), Members were told to prepare statements on the resolution, which will endorse laws already on the books that prevent illegal immigrants from participating in taxpayer-funded programs, such as Social Security or food stamps.
In a draft of the resolution obtained by Roll Call, the measure expresses the sense of the House "with respect to the importance of upholding federal immigration laws and ensuring the integrity and security of the borders of the United States."
In addition to the language on public benefits, the draft resolution also contains provisions calling on the executive branch to enforce laws on voter fraud and border security.
But one House lawmaker, who asked not to be identified, said some senior Members have objected to the proposal over concerns that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to limit the scope of the debate. The House largely abandoned plans to pursue a comprehensive immigration reform bill earlier this year after the Senate failed to cut off debate on its own version of the legislation, effectively killing the bill.
Majority Whip James Clyburn (S.C.) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.) began work on the resolution earlier this month in response to repeated Republican efforts to force votes on immigration on the House floor through the use of procedural amendments.
"We're trying to figure out a way we can do this and maintain party unity on the motions ... without making it a crisis," said one Democratic lawmaker, who is a member of the Whip operation.
Although one Democratic lawmaker, who asked not to be identified since plans have not been finalized, said the measure could move to the floor as early as next week, a House leadership aide said it is unlikely to be that soon.
To date, Democratic leaders have not demanded that Members vote against all motions to recommit - a procedural tool that can be used by the minority party immediately before a vote on final passage of a bill - unless the amendment contains language that would shelve the legislation.
"I've resisted motions to recommit unless they're substantive and then I'll vote for them," explained Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), a freshman lawmaker who has faced attacks from the National Republican Congressional Committee for votes against some GOP-authored amendments on immigration.
"It's frustrating to me," Walz added, criticizing the amendments as political footballs. "I'm appreciative that our leadership lets us vote accordingly."
But that policy led to some confusion on the House floor in early August during a vote on a GOP-authored amendment to the Agriculture spending bill to prohibit illegal immigrants from accessing certain federally funded programs, with nearly 20 Democrats initially voting in favor of the proposal.
Republicans allege that the Democratic majority mishandled that vote, resulting in the defeat of the measure. GOP leaders assert that a tied 214-214 vote - rending a defeat - announced by the Speaker Pro Tem was inaccurate and that the motion had in fact passed 215-213 as Republicans changed their votes.
But Democrats dispute that version of events, noting that their own Members were changing votes on the House floor, resulting in the final tally of 212-216.
The dispute prompted the establishment of a select committee to investigate the vote, which is scheduled to hold its first meeting this morning, and produce an interim report Sept. 30.
Republican Rep. Tom Price (Ga.), who has sponsored similar amendments addressing the use of federal funds to assist illegal immigrants, including a measure that failed Tuesday night on a federal housing bill, expressed interest in the Democratic proposal.
"I'd love to be able to talk with them about it and work on it," Price said. He could not say whether such a measure would deter him from offering such amendments in the future without seeing the details of the bill.
"When I talk to folks at home they want to know why we're not including this language on every single piece of legislation," he added.
House Democratic leaders are drafting a resolution designed to inoculate freshman lawmakers on the issue of immigration, despite concerns from within their own Caucus about reopening debate over the contentious topic.
According to several freshman Democratic lawmakers in attendance at a weekly breakfast meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), Members were told to prepare statements on the resolution, which will endorse laws already on the books that prevent illegal immigrants from participating in taxpayer-funded programs, such as Social Security or food stamps.
In a draft of the resolution obtained by Roll Call, the measure expresses the sense of the House "with respect to the importance of upholding federal immigration laws and ensuring the integrity and security of the borders of the United States."
In addition to the language on public benefits, the draft resolution also contains provisions calling on the executive branch to enforce laws on voter fraud and border security.
But one House lawmaker, who asked not to be identified, said some senior Members have objected to the proposal over concerns that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to limit the scope of the debate. The House largely abandoned plans to pursue a comprehensive immigration reform bill earlier this year after the Senate failed to cut off debate on its own version of the legislation, effectively killing the bill.
Majority Whip James Clyburn (S.C.) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.) began work on the resolution earlier this month in response to repeated Republican efforts to force votes on immigration on the House floor through the use of procedural amendments.
"We're trying to figure out a way we can do this and maintain party unity on the motions ... without making it a crisis," said one Democratic lawmaker, who is a member of the Whip operation.
Although one Democratic lawmaker, who asked not to be identified since plans have not been finalized, said the measure could move to the floor as early as next week, a House leadership aide said it is unlikely to be that soon.
To date, Democratic leaders have not demanded that Members vote against all motions to recommit - a procedural tool that can be used by the minority party immediately before a vote on final passage of a bill - unless the amendment contains language that would shelve the legislation.
"I've resisted motions to recommit unless they're substantive and then I'll vote for them," explained Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), a freshman lawmaker who has faced attacks from the National Republican Congressional Committee for votes against some GOP-authored amendments on immigration.
"It's frustrating to me," Walz added, criticizing the amendments as political footballs. "I'm appreciative that our leadership lets us vote accordingly."
But that policy led to some confusion on the House floor in early August during a vote on a GOP-authored amendment to the Agriculture spending bill to prohibit illegal immigrants from accessing certain federally funded programs, with nearly 20 Democrats initially voting in favor of the proposal.
Republicans allege that the Democratic majority mishandled that vote, resulting in the defeat of the measure. GOP leaders assert that a tied 214-214 vote - rending a defeat - announced by the Speaker Pro Tem was inaccurate and that the motion had in fact passed 215-213 as Republicans changed their votes.
But Democrats dispute that version of events, noting that their own Members were changing votes on the House floor, resulting in the final tally of 212-216.
The dispute prompted the establishment of a select committee to investigate the vote, which is scheduled to hold its first meeting this morning, and produce an interim report Sept. 30.
Republican Rep. Tom Price (Ga.), who has sponsored similar amendments addressing the use of federal funds to assist illegal immigrants, including a measure that failed Tuesday night on a federal housing bill, expressed interest in the Democratic proposal.
"I'd love to be able to talk with them about it and work on it," Price said. He could not say whether such a measure would deter him from offering such amendments in the future without seeing the details of the bill.
"When I talk to folks at home they want to know why we're not including this language on every single piece of legislation," he added.
wallpaper Artist: Alex Gaudino Feat.
ns521
01-12 01:35 AM
I sent the applications(I-140,I-485,I-131,I-765)to Nebraska center 4 weeks ago and it was received by them the next day(because I tracked the FedEx package).Until today,no receipts yet and my checks are not cashed yet and the receipting update says Current for Nebraska, is the normal or there is something wrong?
Thanks
Thanks
admin
04-07 12:31 PM
no news yet, i m kinda breaking ........
See here - http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=521
See here - http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=521
2011 Album Cover. Kelly Rowland-
prince_waiting
01-20 03:14 AM
Sorry , please ignore the phrase 'fiscal cap', actually it should be annual H1B cap for that particular year.
more...
texas_niw
06-20 12:15 PM
I have filed two different I-140s for EB2-NIW (NSC, Nov 06)) and EB1-EA (TSC, march07). Both are pending at the moment. I wish to apply for I-485 now as the visa numbers are current in both categories.
I will appreciate if some one could advise if I can go ahead with the filing with pending I-140s. Also in that case can I file a single I-485 now and just ask it to be linked to whichever I-140 is approved first. will this work?
In this case whcih 140 number should I mention in my application and whcih center should I send the application to?
Thanks
I will appreciate if some one could advise if I can go ahead with the filing with pending I-140s. Also in that case can I file a single I-485 now and just ask it to be linked to whichever I-140 is approved first. will this work?
In this case whcih 140 number should I mention in my application and whcih center should I send the application to?
Thanks
saty2010
05-06 06:53 PM
Hi
I am working on H1B from Oct 2009. My employer and client has one layer between of them. For some family reason I need to visit India for 10 days. Will it cause any problem / Issue on airport (immigration counter) when I will come back to USA ?
In this case how can I prepare myself to face situation? What documents do I need to prepare to prove that even though I am working with one layer then also my employer control my salary and tax stuffs ?
Waiting for reply, please help...!!!
Thank You
I am working on H1B from Oct 2009. My employer and client has one layer between of them. For some family reason I need to visit India for 10 days. Will it cause any problem / Issue on airport (immigration counter) when I will come back to USA ?
In this case how can I prepare myself to face situation? What documents do I need to prepare to prove that even though I am working with one layer then also my employer control my salary and tax stuffs ?
Waiting for reply, please help...!!!
Thank You
more...
pttuanzhang
06-02 07:48 PM
You're right, I really admire
2010 Kelly Rowland has done it
Blog Feeds
11-28 04:21 AM
Roll Call has an interesting analysis of this. Some Democrats believe that they have the votes and they can use immigration reform to brand their party as the true home for the country's Hispanic voters only if they leave the GOP out of the process. And most in the GOP will probably be fine with this except the small number that understand just how dangerous it is for the future of the GOP to be branded the anti-immigrant party.
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2009/11/the-dems-dilemma-to-bring-or-not-bring-republicans-in-to-immigration-reform-process.html)
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2009/11/the-dems-dilemma-to-bring-or-not-bring-republicans-in-to-immigration-reform-process.html)
more...
martinvisalaw
10-12 04:51 PM
I'm sure the lawyers have already told you that this is not possible. The company cannot refile PERM now because all the ads, posting, etc are too old. They would have to start again.
hair Kelly Rowland #39;What A Feeling#39;
gccovet
05-09 12:15 PM
Hello
Is there a time limit within which one has to enter US after he/she gets a tourist visa (B2)
any help is appreciated
thanks
Depends on the validity of the VISA. For example, if a person has 10 year multi entry (M) VISA, that person can enter whenever he/she wants.
For limited time frame, say 6 months validity, there should be a validity on the VISA itself, person needs to enter in that particular time frame.
GCCovet
Is there a time limit within which one has to enter US after he/she gets a tourist visa (B2)
any help is appreciated
thanks
Depends on the validity of the VISA. For example, if a person has 10 year multi entry (M) VISA, that person can enter whenever he/she wants.
For limited time frame, say 6 months validity, there should be a validity on the VISA itself, person needs to enter in that particular time frame.
GCCovet
more...
Blog Feeds
05-26 11:20 AM
Just saw this story from a few days ago. Aside from being a hugely irresponsible way to spend a broke state's taxpayer funds, this idea also is probably unconstitutional. Does Arizona plan on having its own border control points? Will the state's wall interfere with Border Patrol activities? The federal government is supposed to control the national borders and not the states. Not that Arizona minds wasting the state's money to continue to losing that point.
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2011/05/arizona-trying-to-raise-money-to-build-its-own-border-fence-.html)
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2011/05/arizona-trying-to-raise-money-to-build-its-own-border-fence-.html)
hot Alex Gaudino ft Kelly
IN2US
07-25 06:05 PM
Hi
I have moved recently to San Jose. Can anyone help me where to find doctor for my medical check up for my GC.
check this link
https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV
Hope this helps
Good Luck :)
I have moved recently to San Jose. Can anyone help me where to find doctor for my medical check up for my GC.
check this link
https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV
Hope this helps
Good Luck :)
more...
house Alex Gaudino ft. Kelly Rowland
dns2828
09-21 11:06 AM
I took the citizenship test, biometic now the second time .passed it 2 1/2 years ago . I was told the immigration did not have my filed . So Wait. Went to immirgation office 3 times. no result . Case under review ????? what is that mean????? Am confused ... No one can tell me what was going on . I have done no wrong. pay my taxes....
I even write to my congress woman , no reply .. so sad
Where should I go .... . please advise . thanks
I even write to my congress woman , no reply .. so sad
Where should I go .... . please advise . thanks
tattoo Alex Gaudino ft. Kelly Rowland
clear485
07-31 03:18 PM
Through AILA inquiry, I came to know my case details:
CIS electronic records indicate that your case have moved from the
security review area to the Case Resolution Unit(CRU). Will check
with supervisors of the CRU to find out what is going on with these cases
and if they can be routed to exams to be worked".
What does it mean ? What is happening in CRU ?
Internet refers CRU handles if case has multiple "A" nos or receipt notice delays....I filed only one I-485 application five years back.....
CIS electronic records indicate that your case have moved from the
security review area to the Case Resolution Unit(CRU). Will check
with supervisors of the CRU to find out what is going on with these cases
and if they can be routed to exams to be worked".
What does it mean ? What is happening in CRU ?
Internet refers CRU handles if case has multiple "A" nos or receipt notice delays....I filed only one I-485 application five years back.....
more...
pictures Alex Gaudino feat. Kelly
vinabath
04-06 12:06 AM
Iinteresting article:
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1008366#PaperDownload
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1008366#PaperDownload
dresses Kelly Rowland - Simioli
Ranjeeth
06-21 01:00 AM
The USCIS announced on June 1, 2006 that the regular H-1 cap for Fiscal Year 2007 (FY2007) was reached on May 26, 2006. Those cases properly filed with the USCIS before the 26th are safe, with respect to the cap, as there are enough cap numbers for these cases. Cases that reached the USCIS on May 26th are in an uncertain situation and will be subject to a random selection process, as there are enough numbers for some, but not all of the May 26th cases. Any regular cap-subject cases received after May 26th will be rejected entirely.This information does NOT impact advanced degree cases, for which cap numbers are still available.
Further details visit: ___deleted___
Further details visit: ___deleted___
more...
makeup Alex Gaudino Feat. Kelly
sunandoghosh
08-29 04:50 PM
Hi Friends,
My wife is going to apply for H4 Visa soon in India.
Do I need to send her I-134 Affidavit of Support.
I have heard conflicting opinions.
Pls let me know.
Thxs in advance. Rgs S
My wife is going to apply for H4 Visa soon in India.
Do I need to send her I-134 Affidavit of Support.
I have heard conflicting opinions.
Pls let me know.
Thxs in advance. Rgs S
girlfriend What#39;s up with Alex Gaudino#39;s
sweetiepie
06-05 07:09 PM
Hi,
When I entered USA on L2 dependent spouse visa,my passport was expiring on 15 Sept 2008 and hence my I-94 got departure date as 15 sept 2008. After that i applied for an L2-EAD with the old passport and I-94 (both having expiry date as 15-sept-08)and hence i got the L2-EAD which also expires on 14-sept 2008.
Now I have renwed my passport which is valid upto 2018 and want my EAD to be renewed.
Can someone tell me L2 EAD expiry date depends on I-94 records or does it depend on my spouses L1 or on my new passport expiry date...or may be out of all these which ever expires first....??
Is it necessary for me to update my I-94 before I apply for renewal of my EAD,does it affect the expiry date of my EAD?
When I entered USA on L2 dependent spouse visa,my passport was expiring on 15 Sept 2008 and hence my I-94 got departure date as 15 sept 2008. After that i applied for an L2-EAD with the old passport and I-94 (both having expiry date as 15-sept-08)and hence i got the L2-EAD which also expires on 14-sept 2008.
Now I have renwed my passport which is valid upto 2018 and want my EAD to be renewed.
Can someone tell me L2 EAD expiry date depends on I-94 records or does it depend on my spouses L1 or on my new passport expiry date...or may be out of all these which ever expires first....??
Is it necessary for me to update my I-94 before I apply for renewal of my EAD,does it affect the expiry date of my EAD?
hairstyles Alex Gaudino Ft Kelly Rowland
sbind_77
02-14 03:09 PM
Guys
I am filing H4 extension for my wife by myself. I see following 3 quesions in the form 539. Last July I filed 485 for me and my wife. What do I have to say here (yes or No)
you, or any other person included on the application, an applicant for an immigrant visa?
Has an immigrant petition ever been filed for you or for any other person included in this application?
Has a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, ever been filed by you or by any other person included in this application?
Thanks
sbind_77
I am filing H4 extension for my wife by myself. I see following 3 quesions in the form 539. Last July I filed 485 for me and my wife. What do I have to say here (yes or No)
you, or any other person included on the application, an applicant for an immigrant visa?
Has an immigrant petition ever been filed for you or for any other person included in this application?
Has a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, ever been filed by you or by any other person included in this application?
Thanks
sbind_77
addsf345
11-19 12:50 AM
push and pull, and i finally decided to exercise my AC21 rights.....
AC21 pioneers, any recommendations on picking lawyers around NYC? specifically those that are fairly responsive and charge a fair price on all the procedures / docs that come with maintaining AOS, including a possible AC21 notification letter, renewing EAD/APs....
thank you for any guidances.
Bro, checkout this Thread (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22261).
AC21 pioneers, any recommendations on picking lawyers around NYC? specifically those that are fairly responsive and charge a fair price on all the procedures / docs that come with maintaining AOS, including a possible AC21 notification letter, renewing EAD/APs....
thank you for any guidances.
Bro, checkout this Thread (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22261).
Macaca
10-14 09:50 AM
G.O.P. Lawmakers Voice Their Unease (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/14/washington/14repubs.html) By CARL HULSE | New York Times, October 14, 2007
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 � Members of the White House communications team invited their Capitol Hill counterparts down to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue the other day to see how Republican morale was holding up in Congress. The answer: Not so well.
Under fierce attack on children�s health insurance, beset by politically inconvenient retirements and uncertain if another scandal lurks around the corner, Congressional Republicans are feeling a bit under siege as even one of their former leaders predicts 2008 could be a Democratic year.
�We are not happy, no doubt about it,� said one of the senior Republican Congressional aides who attended the Oct. 5 meeting at the White House and would talk about the internal session only without being identified by name.
The twist is that the issue Republicans had feared most in the fall, the war in Iraq, has played out legislatively in their favor for the moment. In concert with the White House, Congressional Republicans say they were able to execute a strategy built around the testimony of General David H. Petraeus that allowed them to forestall Democratic calls for troop withdrawals and hold the party together on the war at a crucial turn.
But Republicans say they have lacked a similar cohesive plan to counter the Democratic assault over the children�s health insurance program that will be the subject of a veto override vote in the House on Thursday. President Bush�s veto of an expansion of that program and the strategic failure have exposed vulnerable Republicans to a backlash and allowed the party to be painted as uncaring.
As a result, Republicans have been scrambling for a health care response at a time when they had hoped to be pounding Democrats over excessive spending and re-establishing their image as the party of fiscal restraint.
�We need to be on offense,� said Representative Tom Davis, a Virginia Republican considering a Senate run.
At the White House, administration officials urged Congressional Republicans to try to remain positive and ride out the current turmoil. Ed Gillespie, a senior adviser to Mr. Bush, told the visitors, according to multiple accounts, that had Republicans sided with Democrats on the health program, they would have opened themselves to withering criticism from conservatives and been in a worse position than they are now.
But that was small solace to Congressional Republicans who worry that the White House does not fully appreciate their political difficulties and that Mr. Bush, who will not be on the ballot next year, has put them in harm�s way with his opposition to the children�s health care bill. Many Republicans say the White House should have been more aggressive early on in getting behind a counterproposal.
�The president has let the debate on health care down by not offering an alternative,� said Representative John R. Kuhl Jr., Republican of New York.
The children�s health insurance program is not the only development that has some Republicans down. A string of retirements in the Senate and House continued Friday with the decision by Representative Ralph Regula, a veteran Republican from Ohio, to step aside in a district where Democrats could be competitive.
Worried about increasing departures, the House leadership has been encouraging Representative Steve Pearce of New Mexico to forgo a run for the Senate and avoid opening a second Republican-held House seat in a state where Democrats are gaining strength. A fellow Republican, Representative Heather A. Wilson, is already running for the seat being vacated by Senator Pete V. Domenici.
Republicans also have lawmakers under criminal investigation in the House and the Senate, raising the possibility of a recurrence of the election-year corruption fallout that damaged Republicans in 2006.
And House Republicans could not have been happy with comments by the former majority leader Dick Armey, the ex-congressman from Texas. He predicted in an interview with The Gazette-Journal of Reno, Nev., that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democrat of New York, would be elected president next year and that �it is going to get worse before it gets better.�
Yet Republicans say Democrats have problems of their own, as shown by low public approval ratings for Congress. And the Republican leadership in the House and Senate was hoping it had struck on an effective message on the health care legislation, saying the refusal by Democrats to negotiate over the bill showed the party was more interested in political insurance than health coverage.
�While some on the left believe they are gaining political points by criticizing Republicans rather than legislating, at the end of the day their focus on politics may come at the expense of S-chip,� said Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, the third-ranking Republican, referring to the State Children�s Health Insurance Program.
Other Republicans say the public is fed up with constant gamesmanship.
�They cannot stand the partisan bickering,� said Representative Judy Biggert, an Illinois Republican who is under fire for her opposition to the health care bill.
Congressional Republicans say their political fortunes have to improve at some point. They think the emergence of a party presidential nominee early next year will help get them out from under the shadow of the unpopular Bush White House. And while they might not be thrilled that Mr. Armey is predicting a Clinton victory, they believe her nomination could be a powerful motivator for Republican activists and donors.
Republicans are also banking on an overall anti-incumbent atmosphere. They point to a special House election to be held in Massachusetts on Tuesday, saying that Jim Ogonowski, a Republican running as a government outsider in a heavily Democratic district, has presented a stronger than anticipated challenge to Niki Tsongas, a well-connected Democrat.
�There is clearly an anti-Washington sentiment out there if you are a Republican challenger who can capitalize on it,� said Jessica Boulanger, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. �Democrats have reason to be worried.�
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 � Members of the White House communications team invited their Capitol Hill counterparts down to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue the other day to see how Republican morale was holding up in Congress. The answer: Not so well.
Under fierce attack on children�s health insurance, beset by politically inconvenient retirements and uncertain if another scandal lurks around the corner, Congressional Republicans are feeling a bit under siege as even one of their former leaders predicts 2008 could be a Democratic year.
�We are not happy, no doubt about it,� said one of the senior Republican Congressional aides who attended the Oct. 5 meeting at the White House and would talk about the internal session only without being identified by name.
The twist is that the issue Republicans had feared most in the fall, the war in Iraq, has played out legislatively in their favor for the moment. In concert with the White House, Congressional Republicans say they were able to execute a strategy built around the testimony of General David H. Petraeus that allowed them to forestall Democratic calls for troop withdrawals and hold the party together on the war at a crucial turn.
But Republicans say they have lacked a similar cohesive plan to counter the Democratic assault over the children�s health insurance program that will be the subject of a veto override vote in the House on Thursday. President Bush�s veto of an expansion of that program and the strategic failure have exposed vulnerable Republicans to a backlash and allowed the party to be painted as uncaring.
As a result, Republicans have been scrambling for a health care response at a time when they had hoped to be pounding Democrats over excessive spending and re-establishing their image as the party of fiscal restraint.
�We need to be on offense,� said Representative Tom Davis, a Virginia Republican considering a Senate run.
At the White House, administration officials urged Congressional Republicans to try to remain positive and ride out the current turmoil. Ed Gillespie, a senior adviser to Mr. Bush, told the visitors, according to multiple accounts, that had Republicans sided with Democrats on the health program, they would have opened themselves to withering criticism from conservatives and been in a worse position than they are now.
But that was small solace to Congressional Republicans who worry that the White House does not fully appreciate their political difficulties and that Mr. Bush, who will not be on the ballot next year, has put them in harm�s way with his opposition to the children�s health care bill. Many Republicans say the White House should have been more aggressive early on in getting behind a counterproposal.
�The president has let the debate on health care down by not offering an alternative,� said Representative John R. Kuhl Jr., Republican of New York.
The children�s health insurance program is not the only development that has some Republicans down. A string of retirements in the Senate and House continued Friday with the decision by Representative Ralph Regula, a veteran Republican from Ohio, to step aside in a district where Democrats could be competitive.
Worried about increasing departures, the House leadership has been encouraging Representative Steve Pearce of New Mexico to forgo a run for the Senate and avoid opening a second Republican-held House seat in a state where Democrats are gaining strength. A fellow Republican, Representative Heather A. Wilson, is already running for the seat being vacated by Senator Pete V. Domenici.
Republicans also have lawmakers under criminal investigation in the House and the Senate, raising the possibility of a recurrence of the election-year corruption fallout that damaged Republicans in 2006.
And House Republicans could not have been happy with comments by the former majority leader Dick Armey, the ex-congressman from Texas. He predicted in an interview with The Gazette-Journal of Reno, Nev., that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democrat of New York, would be elected president next year and that �it is going to get worse before it gets better.�
Yet Republicans say Democrats have problems of their own, as shown by low public approval ratings for Congress. And the Republican leadership in the House and Senate was hoping it had struck on an effective message on the health care legislation, saying the refusal by Democrats to negotiate over the bill showed the party was more interested in political insurance than health coverage.
�While some on the left believe they are gaining political points by criticizing Republicans rather than legislating, at the end of the day their focus on politics may come at the expense of S-chip,� said Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, the third-ranking Republican, referring to the State Children�s Health Insurance Program.
Other Republicans say the public is fed up with constant gamesmanship.
�They cannot stand the partisan bickering,� said Representative Judy Biggert, an Illinois Republican who is under fire for her opposition to the health care bill.
Congressional Republicans say their political fortunes have to improve at some point. They think the emergence of a party presidential nominee early next year will help get them out from under the shadow of the unpopular Bush White House. And while they might not be thrilled that Mr. Armey is predicting a Clinton victory, they believe her nomination could be a powerful motivator for Republican activists and donors.
Republicans are also banking on an overall anti-incumbent atmosphere. They point to a special House election to be held in Massachusetts on Tuesday, saying that Jim Ogonowski, a Republican running as a government outsider in a heavily Democratic district, has presented a stronger than anticipated challenge to Niki Tsongas, a well-connected Democrat.
�There is clearly an anti-Washington sentiment out there if you are a Republican challenger who can capitalize on it,� said Jessica Boulanger, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. �Democrats have reason to be worried.�
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