Frist Holds the Key

WHAT are the true prospects for immigration reform in Congress this year? That may well depend on Senate majority leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, who has made no secret of his presidential ambitions.

Two likely Republican rivals of Frist in the Republican primaries are Senator John McCain of Arizona and Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas. Both men are far more liberal on immigration reform than Frist.

Thus, any version of Kennedy/McCain — which will bear the stamp of both those men — that comes out of the Judiciary Committee will first land on Frist’s desk to see if he wants to bring it to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

Frist retains the power of life and death over the bill, he will be easily able to sideline it if it barely scrapes through the committee. And he will burnish his right wing credentials if he does so.

However, if the Judiciary Committee passes a bill approved by both sides on the committee it makes Frist’s job much tougher, as he will be seen to buck the wishes of his own party.

There seems little doubt that if the bill does reach the Senate floor that there will be a small majority in favor of visas of some sort for undocumented. There are several Republicans in favor and the vast majority of Democrats are too.

Thus, if the bill does pass the Senate it would certainly be game on for immigration reform in this session of Congress. What the attitude of the House will be in the House/Senate conference will be much harder to predict.

The hard-nosed anti-immigrant legislation they passed will certainly make it difficult to reach a compromise. It will be a fascinating process to witness.

Specter Crazy Like a Fox?

SENATOR Arlen Specter’s “Chairman’s Mark” immigration bill now before the Judiciary Committee has been widely dismissed. Even Specter himself, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, has downplayed its chances.

However, Specter may be crazy like a fox. While no one likes his creation of a new category of immigrants, one who would never be eligible for a green card or citizenship but could work indefinitely, there are some who believe it may be just acceptable enough to pass on all sides in the final debate.

Certainly the new category is no bargain, but experts point out that at some point in the future the workers who come under its provisions could become entitled to legal status when the current hue and cry over immigration has died down.

Specter has certainly put the cat among the pigeons with his mark, and it will be interesting to see how it is viewed when the Wednesday meeting of the Judiciary Committee takes place.

Anyone Here Seen Kelly?

THERE will be more than enough Kellys to go around when the annual gathering of the Kelly Gang takes place on St. Patrick’s night at Michael’s restaurant in Manhattan.

The list of founders of the Kelly Gang reads like a who’s who of New York life. NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly; Ed Kelly, president of American Express; Jim Kelly, managing editor of Time magazine; Michel Kelly, president of AOL; Kate Kelly, publisher of Women’s Health magazine; and Keith Kelly, the highly influential media columnist for the New York Post are among the powerful names.

The group’s evening out is not confined to just Kellys and everyone is welcome.

In fact the dinner is a charitable affair with proceeds this year going to Catholic Charities in New Orleans headed by — who else? — Jim Kelly to rebuild homes in New Orleans.

All in all a great night is promised. To attend call 212-843-9218.

Kelly’s Honor

SPEAKING of Commissioner Ray Kelly, the top cop will be honored on the previous night by Irish America magazine as the 2006 Irish American of the Year.

It is a well-deserved honor for the man who has done more than anyone to keep New York safe in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

Kelly, who could be making a fortune in the private sector, instead volunteered for a second term of duty as police commissioner, the first man to ever serve under two different mayors having previously taken the job under David Dinkins.

Lucky for New York he did. Kelly would probably be a shoo-in for New York mayor if he decided to run in 2010 but he has turned aside any talk of going into politics. He is certainly a deserving Irish American of the Year.

Quinn Gets Her Irish Up

ANOTHER person making a major impression in the Irish community in New York at present is City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who has become a very frequent attendee at Irish events.

Last week she was at the Irish Consulate’s St. Patrick’s party, the parade in Queens and then onto Gaelic Park for the ILIR fundraiser. In addition, she has played host to numerous Irish delegations from both Ireland and Irish America, including a deputation from Limerick City this week.

Quinn certainly has the Irish looks and heritage, and it is interesting to note that she is now the prime Irish American figure in local politics in the New York area.

She is off to a very good start in her new job, and perhaps she can be the first Irish mayor in decades if she keeps this up.