Published: June 8, 2007 at 2:25 PM

Reid: No quick vote on immigration bill

WASHINGTON, June 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid declared the immigration bill dead, at least temporarily, after it failed to get enough votes to cut off debate.
Reid, D-Nev., said the compromise bill could be brought up again later this year, The New York Times reported.

The final vote Thursday night was 45-50, 15 votes short of the 60 needed for cloture.

Even some Republican backers of the bill, like Jon Kyl of Arizona, voted against ending debate. Kyl suggested conservative Republicans needed "a little more time" for amendments.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., one of the bill's most enthusiastic supporters, blamed right-wing radio talk shows for the debacle.

"I've listened to talk show hosts drumming up the opposition by using this word amnesty over and over and over again," Feinstein said. "I've never received more hate or more racist phone calls and threats."

The bill, which sets up a pathway for illegal immigrants already in the United States to become citizens, is backed by President Bush. But the provision is unpopular with many in the Republican base.


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