Hearings Meant to Protect House, not White House?

Directed by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, Republicansthis coming week will undertake a remarkable exercise: the publicthrashing of President Bush’s principles on a major initiative.

House “field hearings” on immigration, scheduled forSan Diego and Laredo, Texas, weren’t designed with fact-finding inmind. Their intent is rather to batter the Senate-passed immigrationbill, which embodies Mr. Bush’s goal of combining border security witha guest-worker program for the 12 million illegal immigrants alreadyhere.

But will Mr. Hastert’s maneuver bury chances forenacting legislation — or provide the political cover that ultimatelypermits a House-Senate deal before the election? One thing already isclear: The speaker’s first consideration will be protecting hismembers, not the White House. See column by John Harwood.

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