Thread: Immigration bill survives filibuster, speeds toward passage

By Stephen Dinan
The Washington Times
Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The immigration bill survived its biggest filibuster test Wednesday, signaling the measure is on a speedy path out of the Senate this week with the core of the deal intact: quick legal status for illegal immigrants, with full citizenship rights to come after more money is spent on border security.

The 67-31 vote to turn back a potential filibuster was shy of the 70 votes backers had hoped for, but is still well above the 60 needed to clear the Senate.

More stunning, every Democrat in the chamber voted for it — a major reversal from 2007, when Democrats and Republicans joined together to block the bill, with liberal senators saying the bill hurt workers.

“It is obvious a majority, a very large majority, a bipartisan majority of the Senate will support the immigration bill,” said Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, Vermont Democrat.

Wednesday’s vote saw 13 Republicans join with Democrats, after the chamber first approved an amendment that would add 20,000 new Border Patrol agents to the southwest and would build nearly 350 miles of additional pedestrian fencing along the border, in many cases replacing vehicle barriers.

Many of those Republicans said they wanted to do whatever they could to ensure border security, pushing as far as they could go without crossing Democrats’ line in the sand, which was that illegal immigrants’ path to citizenship not be tied to specific results in reducing illegal immigration.

Instead, the bill’s triggers — the conditions that must be met before illegal immigrants eventually get citizenship — are tied to spending and to setting up systems, rather than measures of lower flows across the border.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...es-filibuster/

Originally Posted by Jean

By Stephen Dinan
The Washington Times
Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The immigration bill survived its biggest filibuster test Wednesday, signaling the measure is on a speedy path out of the Senate this week with the core of the deal intact: quick legal status for illegal immigrants, with full citizenship rights to come after more money is spent on border security.

The 67-31 vote to turn back a potential filibuster was shy of the 70 votes backers had hoped for, but is still well above the 60 needed to clear the Senate.

Okay, someone smarter than me, did they do this vote just so it couldn't be filibustered? I am highly confused by all of these votes!

I just sent this to the author....

Mr. Dinan:

I have always been a fan of your work, but I have a serious question about your article just released saying that a filibuster has been bypassed on S. 744 on a vote that took place today in the Senate!

It is my understanding that the Senate voted today on an amendment to the bill which added a lot of border security language and that amendment passed 67-31.

The next filibuster vote is on the final cloture voter. Are we now going to call votes on amendments filibuster votes?

Please explain why you are reporting that a filibuster was blocked today when we are unaware of any organization that tried to filibuster today's amendment vote in favor of border security being added to the bill.

Hopefully, this border destroying bill can still be stopped in the Senate but that gets harder to do when the Washington Times issues articles like your recent one that is so enthusiastic and concrete about passage of the bill.

Sincerely,

William Gheen
Americans for Legal Immigration PAC
www.alipac.us

Yes, it is VERY confusing unless one is well acquainted with the various proceedings. I have been calling today to let these 13 traitors know that I am LIVID about their treachery against the American people. If the GOP wants to commit political suicide, so be it. The sooner the better. However, I am growing more concerned by the day about the back room dealings and the betrayal of the trust of the American people. So much so that I fear that the passage of this bill will foment serious civil unrest. Or, is this what they want? Exactly who is RUNNING this our government?? Anger is boiling.