! Let’s start with immigration.Sen. Sam Brownback on Monday was part of a minority of Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee who joined Democrats in approving legislation that makes it easier for illegal immigrants to work here lawfully, and for more foreign workers to enter the U.S. temporarily.The Los Angeles Times reports: _The Senate is headed into “a difficult and visceral debate,” said Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.).__The Senate panel’s bill differs significantly from an overhaul of immigration laws approved last year by the House, which focused on tightening security at the border and on toughening law enforcement and did not include a temporary worker plan, a proposal that is unacceptable to many House Republicans.__The Senate panel also voted to eliminate a proposal, contained in the House legislation, that would make being an illegal immigrant a felony, rather than a civil immigration offense as it is currently.__Supporters of the committee’s bill hailed it as a comprehensive effort that includes measures to improve border security by adding technology and agents, and provisions to make it harder for businesses to hire illegal workers.__”What has passed is much tougher enforcement and a way to take the 12 million out of the shadows,” Brownback said, referring to illegal immigrants already in the country._This press release adds: “The Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously adopted an amendment proposed by Senator Sam Brownback to the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act which issues non-immigrant visas (S-2 visas) to persons who provide the United States with critical and reliable information about terrorism, organized criminal enterprises and rogue weapons of mass destruction programs.”Of course, getting tough on illegal immigration has become an article of faith among some conservatives — and it’s among conservatives, whose support he’ll need in his 2008 presidential run, that Brownback’s stance isn’t playing well.National Review’s Mark Krikorian has given Brownback the nickname Amnesty Sam, while the conservative Human Events has the following headline on its Web site: “Brownback Can Kiss ’08 Run Goodbye.”We’ll see.Other links today:Sam Brownback links(TownHall.com commentary) Tomorrow, he will testify before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Property. Chaired by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., the purpose of the hearing is to examine the constitutionality of state laws regulating the sale of ultra-violent video games to children. Three psychologists will testify about the potential link between playing violent video games and copycat violence, and whether the games contribute to aggressive behavior.Pat Roberts links(UPI) Roberts slams spy bill’s referral: Sen. Pat Roberts, Kansas Republican and chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, thinks that congressional officials were mistaken to send a bill on the president’s program of warrantless counterterrorism surveillance to another panel. “Chairman Roberts’s strong position is that this decision was incorrect,” said a senior committee staffer, who asked not to be named. The Senate parliamentarian, a little-known but influential official who makes decisions about the legislative procedure for Senate bills, referred Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine’s Terrorist Surveillance Act of 2006 to the Senate Judiciary Committee, after much behind-the-scenes The judiciary committee, which is also working on a very different bill dealing with the program drafted by its Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Republican, plans a hearing today on the issue. (New York Times) Iraqi Documents Are Put on Web, and Search Is On: Under pressure from Congressional Republicans, the director of national intelligence has begun a yearlong process of posting on the Web 48,000 boxes of Arabic-language Iraqi documents captured by American troops. All the documents, which are available on fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/products-docex.htm, have received at least a quick review by Arabic linguists and do not alter the government’s official stance, officials say. On some tapes already released, in fact, Mr. Hussein expressed frustration that he did not have unconventional weapons. Conservative publications have pushed for months to have the documents made public. In November, Mr. Hoekstra and Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, asked Mr. Negroponte to post the material.Dennis Moore links(UDK) Moore says humor key in these political times: Monday evening Rep. Dennis Moore said that most of the issues that are facing Congress now are so grave that he has to find humor where he can. He did just that during the open forum at the Burge Union. While he was making his opening remarks, a blue KU Young Democrats banner covering the entire wall behind him came crashing down. He quickly responded, “I hope that’s not a sign of things to come.” Moore, who has already served in the U.S. House of Representatives for four terms, is planning on running for another term.How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation here.