But Mr Regan, a former businessman, believed that the White House urgently needed one strong manager who would give the president dependable support.

ECONOMIST: Donald Regan

Bush gave strong support to a plan that would give many of the 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States an eventual path to possible citizenship a move derided by some conservatives in his own Republican Party as amnesty.

NPR: Bush Calls for Troops, Funds to Secure Border

Failure of the bill to advance is also likely to give the President a popular issue for his re-election campaign, given the strong support for the law among the general public.

FORBES: GOP Tax Jihad Continues-Senate Shoots Down Buffett Rule