Reply #32: I saw that - but I can't find anything online to verify it. I did find [View All]

[cyberpj]

these 3 articles as the most recent ones but it could be that any "passed" articles haven't yet been posted.

These articles make it sound inevitable that it will be passed:
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U.S. Lawmakers Near Agreement on $81 Billion War Spending Bill
April 28 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. lawmakers said they may agree today on an $81 billion Iraq and Afghanistan military funding measure that probably will include tighter rules on immigration.

The funding would push military costs for the two wars to more than $100 billion for fiscal year 2005, which ends Sept. 30. The money is the fourth supplemental request outside the regular budget for Iraq and Afghanistan. It would bring emergency spending approved since 2003 to about $280 billion.

``We know we have work ahead of us that must move quickly,'' said Representative Jerry Lewis, a California Republican who heads the House Appropriations Committee. Lawmakers want to finish a compromise bill today and send it to President George W. Bush by tomorrow, said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran, a Mississippi Republican.

A House provision to set federal standards for drivers' licenses and make it more difficult for immigrants to claim asylum has been a sticking point. The Senate version lacks any similar language.

``The odds are very good'' that the measure, known as Real ID, would be included in the final law, Lewis said yesterday. The Bush administration sent a letter to Lewis and Cochran this week asking that the tighter immigration rules be included.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said he's opposed to adding Real ID to a war-funding bill.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aNNX3hvtLFnM&refer=us

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April 28, 2005, 10:51AM

Stricter immigration rules have White House support
Tacked on to a military spending bill, the provisions also have a good chance of passing
By SAMANTHA LEVINE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - A bill that would enact hotly contested immigration rules, including one that would bar illegal immigrants from getting driver's licenses, is marching toward approval with the backing of the White House.

The provisions are attached to an emergency spending bill that would provide $81 billion for military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A bipartisan House-Senate conference committee is expected to agree on a compromise version of the bill today; each chamber is slated to vote on the measure within the next two weeks and then send it to President Bush for his signature.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3157649

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With Bush's Backing, Congress Weighing Law To Require National ID

BY DANIELA GERSON - Staff Reporter of the Sun
April 28, 2005

A measure that would create a uniform national driver's license came closer to becoming law yesterday as House and Senate negotiators met to seek a compromise. Some opponents called the proposal the most virulent anti-immigrant legislation in decades.

Supporters of what is called the Real ID Act, which was included in the House emergency supplemental appropriations package to finance military spending in Iraq and Afghanistan, said it will make America more secure by enhancing internal security and border controls. The Bush administration wrote a letter of support Tuesday, and some congressional aides said it could pass as early as the end of this week.

http://www.nysun.com/article/12951