JUST RECEIVED VIA EMAIL FROM FAIR:


Senate Leader Files Motion to End Debate
on Bush-Kennedy Bill!
Call NOW to Oppose this Motion!!

Last night, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) filed a motion for cloture on the Bush-Kennedy bill. A motion for cloture is, in plain English, a motion to end debate on the bill. Due to timing requirements in the Senate rules, the vote on the cloture motion is likely to come THURSDAY EVENING!!! If debate is ended, the Senate is then able to move to a vote on final passage of the bill.

FAIR is urging all members and activists to call their Senators NOW and urge them to oppose the motion for cloture!!!! If debate on the bill does not end, the Senate cannot vote on final passage of the Bush-Kennedy bill.

The tension is growing on Capitol Hill as more and more Senators are hearing the outcry and anger from their constituents at the prospect that Congress may pass amnesty legislation. Many Senators on both sides of the aisle are upset the Bush-Kennedy legislation was never vetted through the committee process and have numerous amendments pending on the Senate floor.

For that reason, Senators reacted strongly upon hearing the news that Senator Reid was filing a motion Tuesday night to end debate. Congressional Quarterly characterized this vote as "decisive" and reported that Republicans said they would oppose the effort to shut down the debate. "Reid said if that happens, he will pull the bill from the floor, a move that would likely end efforts to pass an immigration bill in the 110th Congress." Even Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), who has been instrumental in pushing the Bush-Kennedy amnesty bill through the Senate, was openly critical of Reid's motion to end debate. He is arguing, like many other Senators, that there should be more time to consider amendments.

The vote on the motion for cloture is critical! PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW AND URGE THEM TO OPPOSE THE MOTION TO END DEBATE ON THE BUSH-KENNEDY BILL!!!!

Many activists have been calling in to FAIR asking what they should do because their Senators are not "good on the issue." PLEASE DO NOT assume that your calls do not matter or that you can't change the outcome of this debate by calling them. We are hearing reports from many Senate staffers that their Senators do not like the bill and are looking for a way out. Calls from constituents like you will give them the very reason they need to vote NO!

In addition, many activists are reporting that the phone lines to Senators' offices are jammed and they cannot get through. If you cannot get through to the Capitol Hill offices, keep trying, but whatever you do, don't give up!!! Also remember that you can always call your district offices too.