Senator Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), Senator Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and leaders on the immigration reform debate held a joint press conference on the White House lawn yesterday after concluding an hour long meeting with President Bush on the subject of immigration.

Senator Frist indicated that the discussion was frank, but very productive. He indicated that the Senate was about ready to pick up where it left off before the Easter break and that procedural questions, not substantive questions, are holding things up. But he also indicated that he was optimistic that a deal would be worked out before Memorial Day.

Senator Reid also indicated he was optimistic on the end of May deadline and praised President Bush who he indicated is very supportive of what the Senate is doing.

Senator Specter indicated that he was optimistic that a comprehensive immigration reform bill would pass this year and that the President appears to be supportive of the Senate's approach. Specter indicated that he too was optimistic not only that the Senate would pass a bill by Memorial Day, but that a bill would ultimately reach the President's desk for signature this year (i.e. the House of Representatives and the Senate will reach a deal). Specter indicated that he was more optimistic now than before the meeting since the President now appears to be supportive of the specifics of the Senate's approach to dealing with the 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants.

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