With Immigration Deal Reached, Now Come the Delays

As criticism begins to build over the Senate bipartisan immigration reform bill, lawmakers--especially Republicans--are expected to push Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for a debate extension of at least three weeks so that there is enough time to discuss hot-ticket issues in the bill.

"Look for a pushback until well after Memorial Day," said one Republican strategist involved in the discussions. "We need lots more time to work on this."

That effort, however, could lead to the demise of the Bush-backed legislation because it would give the growing number of opponents time to build public opposition to the bill, said another Senate official.

"With all those aligned against it, this bill will get torn up," said the official, who added that there is a likely chance it won't be approved in a final vote.

--Paul Bedard