Editorial
The Road to Dystopia The search for a silver bullet to slay illegal immigration continues. Hard-liners are turning the country upside down looking for it.
They are looking in Washington, where Senate Republicans last week offered more than a dozen bills to further enshrine mass deportation as the national immigration strategy. It is a grab bag of enforcement measures that will be useful for tough-talking campaign commercials, but will not actually solve anything.
Republicans and some Democrats in the House are trying to force a vote on a bad bill called the SAVE Act, which among other things would force all workers, including citizens, to prove they have a right to earn a living — a bad idea compounded by the notoriously bad state of federal government records.
The error rate in just one database, the Social Security Administration’s, is believed to be more than 4 percent, making it likely that many thousands of Americans would face unjust firings and discrimination, and waste a lot of time and effort trying to clear their names.
The harsh-enforcement virus has spread far beyond the Capitol. In states like Oklahoma, laws have been enacted to force illegal immigrants further underground, off official registries and into anonymity, by denying them identification like driver’s licenses. In a growing number of states and counties, politicians are offering up police officers to the federal government for immigration posses. From Prince William County, Va., to Maricopa County, Ariz., officers who pull people over for minor traffic infractions are checking immigration papers, too.
Many law-enforcement professionals say this is reckless and self-defeating, because it sends a deep, silencing chill into immigrant communities. Citizens and legal residents will inevitably be hassled for looking Latino. And it is expensive; Prince William’s new law is expected to cost $26 million over five years, plus a few million more to outfit police cars with cameras, as a hedge against lawsuits.
Maybe some people do not mind that immigration zealotry is sending the country down a path of far greater intrusion into citizens’ lives, into a world of ingrained suspicion, routine discrimination and economic disruption. Is that what we want — to make the immigration system tougher without fixing it? To make illegal immigrants suffer without any hope of ever becoming legal, because that is amnesty?
Could it be that tightening the screws relentlessly on illegal immigrants, even if some citizens suffer in the process, is all for the greater good?
Which is — what exactly? To drive a large cohort of workers out of a sputtering economy? To take more people off the books? To prop up the under-the-table businesses that inevitably evade such crackdowns? To worsen wages and working conditions for all Americans, since nobody works more cheaply and takes more abuse than a terrified, desperate immigrant?
This is a country that runs on routine amnesties. Where would the courts be without plea bargains, or state budgets without periodic tax forgiveness? Are illegal immigrants the one class of undesirables for whom common sense, proportionality, discernment, good judgment and compassion are unthinkable?
It is frightening to think that this country’s answer could be an emphatic yes.
Showing posts with label U.S. Senate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Senate. Show all posts
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Frightening Thought of Bill HR 4088
Friday, November 2, 2007
Rick Noriega's Campaign For Senate
You may recall that Texas has in-state tuition for DREAM ACT students thanks to Texas State Legislator Rick Noriega.
His opponent is John Cornyn who voted against the DREAM ACT in October 2007. The group Democracy for America is gathering signatures to in support of Noriega's campaign nationally.
_____
Democracy for America (DFA) is one of the largest grassroots, membership organizations in the country. DFA is a political action committee dedicated to supporting fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates at all levels of government -- from school board to the presidency.
The national organization took note in September when Rick became the first candidate to ever win an endorsement of Democracy for Texas, the DFA state level group.
Now, Democracy for America has promised to officially back Rick if we can collect 5,000 signatures on a petition hosted on DFA's website. Click below to help us reach that goal!
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/supportrick
This endorsement will send a huge message to people all across America about how Texans are ready for a new U.S. Senator. Winning this endorsement will have a strong impact on many other national organizations taking notice of what we've begun here in Texas.
Add your voice via the link below and join the chorus calling on DFA to endorse Rick!
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/supportrick
More voters, elected officials, and organizations have been pledging to vote for Rick every day.
Let's add Democracy for America to the growing list.
Sincerely,
Sue Schechter
Campaign Manager
Noriega for Texas
Democrat for U.S. Senate
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photo: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1018/832071828_7fe38df35b_m.jpg
Thursday, October 25, 2007
LA Times on DREAM ACT 10 25 2007
Senate rejects kids citizenship measure
Opponents call the Dream Act 'amnesty' for immigrant children.
By Nicole Gaouette and Johanna Neuman
Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
October 25, 2007
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday rejected a bill offering the children of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship if they serve in the military or complete two years of higher education. The defeat of the measure, which had attracted bipartisan support, underscored the difficulty of enacting even a narrowly tailored proposal in the polarizing atmosphere surrounding immigration reform.
The vote on the proposal was 52 to 44, short of the 60-vote margin needed to prevent a filibuster and begin debate. It was one small piece of a comprehensive immigration bill that collapsed in the Senate earlier this year, and it sparked a brief but heated debate.
Opponents called the bill a form of amnesty and argued that it would create incentives for illegal immigrants to cross the border with their children. But Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), who supported the measure, said that "to turn on these children and treat them as criminals is an indication of the level of emotion and, in some cases, bigotry and hatred that is involved in this debate."
His remarks were directed at Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), who on Tuesday suggested that immigrants who had attended a meeting in Durbin's office were illegal and should have been arrested.
Tancredo, a presidential candidate who has staked his campaign on tough immigration enforcement, dismissed Durbin's understanding of the issue: "I don't expect Dick Durbin to be able to tell the difference between legal residents and illegal aliens."
The debate on Capitol Hill suggested that the public outrage kicked up last summer when the Senate considered comprehensive immigration reform was still driving the political agenda.
Proponents of the Dream Act -- the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act -- had hoped it would be one of several less-ambitious changes to the nation's immigration law to pass this year.
But Wednesday's defeat signaled that any further attempts to help illegal immigrants might have to be balanced with action to increase border security or enforcement.
"All of America's awake on this one," said Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), suggesting amnesty was the end game of the measure that failed Wednesday. "They know exactly what we're doing."
The environment has become so poisonous that Durbin, in a news conference after the vote, thanked not only the Republicans who joined his effort but also the Democrats who he said "stood by me on this."
He noted that some Democrats voted for the bill "with pain in their eyes," knowing that their action would provoke anger from voters.
The Dream Act would give conditional legal status to illegal immigrants who have lived in the United States at least five years and entered the country before age 16. They must graduate from high school, have no criminal record and have a "good moral character."
If these immigrants serve in the military or complete two years of higher education, the conditional status would be lifted. After five years, they could apply for citizenship.
Estimates vary as to the number of young illegal immigrants the bill would affect. The Congressional Budget Office has put it at fewer than 100,000, while the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute has estimated it at closer to 500,000.
Some proponents tried to cast the vote in a positive light. They noted that the four absent senators, including Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), had all vowed to support the measure, meaning it was closer to the needed 60 votes.
And, they said, the 2008 elections might send a message to vocal opponents that opposing immigration reform is not the winning issue they think it is.
"We're going through a period of time when there is a sense of panic among politicians," said Josh Bernstein, federal policy director for the Los Angeles-based National Immigration Law Center. "When the election comes, politicians will be surprised. Immigration was supposed to be the savior of Republicans in the last election, but that didn't happen. I don't think it will happen again."
Some signs of bipartisanship were evident Wednesday. Twelve Republicans defied their party by voting to begin debate. And Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) announced that she and Durbin were working on an approach that might attract more GOP support -- requiring, in addition to military service or attendance in college, a longer wait for citizenship.
But the White House played hardball on the issue, releasing a statement outlining its objections. "The administration is sympathetic to the position of young people who were brought here illegally as children and have come to know the United States as home," said a statement from the White House Office of Management and Budget. "Any resolution of their status, however, must be careful not to provide incentives for recurrence of the illegal conduct that has brought the nation to this point."
Democrats argued that there was a moral imperative to pass the bill, saying that skilled graduates would benefit American business and that the young people who enlisted would provide a much-needed boost to a military struggling to meet recruitment goals.
"Children should not be penalized for the actions of their parents," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). "Many of the children this bill addresses came here when they were very young. Many don't even remember their home countries or speak the language of their home countries. They are just as loyal and devoted to our country as any American."
Republicans objected to the timing of the debate as well as the bill's substance. Some complained that the Senate still had overdue spending bills to pass.
"We've yet to send a single appropriations bill," said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), pointing out that none of the 12 annual bills had made it to the president's desk.
He said that the Internet tax moratorium expired in "exactly one week," and that 50 million taxpayers could become ensnared in a confusing and costly tangle if Congress did not address the alternative minimum tax. "We have an enormous amount of work, and we're running out of time," he said.
Others, like Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), said the immigration bill was flawed, complaining that its beneficiaries would not be required to earn a college degree.
Some who had been supportive of the measure when Durbin brought it up on previous occasions were unenthusiastic. "Even though there's merit in the goal of the Dream Act, I feel this should be part of a comprehensive approach," said Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.).
Durbin countered that those affected by the bill would have very limited ability to sponsor family members to come to the U.S. and would not qualify for in-state tuition or federal aid.
And he implored the Senate not to ignore the talents and patriotism of children whose only crime was to pack their suitcases when their parents told them to.
"Don't turn around and tell me tomorrow you need H-1B immigration visas to bring in talented people to America because we don't have enough," Durbin said. "Don't take your anger on illegal immigration out on children who have nothing to say about this. They were brought to this country. . . . They've beaten the odds. We need them."
nicole.gaouette@latimes.com
johanna.neuman@latimes.com
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-immig25oct25,1,7837133,print.story?coll=la-headlines-nation
Opponents call the Dream Act 'amnesty' for immigrant children.
By Nicole Gaouette and Johanna Neuman
Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
October 25, 2007
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday rejected a bill offering the children of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship if they serve in the military or complete two years of higher education. The defeat of the measure, which had attracted bipartisan support, underscored the difficulty of enacting even a narrowly tailored proposal in the polarizing atmosphere surrounding immigration reform.
The vote on the proposal was 52 to 44, short of the 60-vote margin needed to prevent a filibuster and begin debate. It was one small piece of a comprehensive immigration bill that collapsed in the Senate earlier this year, and it sparked a brief but heated debate.
Opponents called the bill a form of amnesty and argued that it would create incentives for illegal immigrants to cross the border with their children. But Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), who supported the measure, said that "to turn on these children and treat them as criminals is an indication of the level of emotion and, in some cases, bigotry and hatred that is involved in this debate."
His remarks were directed at Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), who on Tuesday suggested that immigrants who had attended a meeting in Durbin's office were illegal and should have been arrested.
Tancredo, a presidential candidate who has staked his campaign on tough immigration enforcement, dismissed Durbin's understanding of the issue: "I don't expect Dick Durbin to be able to tell the difference between legal residents and illegal aliens."
The debate on Capitol Hill suggested that the public outrage kicked up last summer when the Senate considered comprehensive immigration reform was still driving the political agenda.
Proponents of the Dream Act -- the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act -- had hoped it would be one of several less-ambitious changes to the nation's immigration law to pass this year.
But Wednesday's defeat signaled that any further attempts to help illegal immigrants might have to be balanced with action to increase border security or enforcement.
"All of America's awake on this one," said Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), suggesting amnesty was the end game of the measure that failed Wednesday. "They know exactly what we're doing."
The environment has become so poisonous that Durbin, in a news conference after the vote, thanked not only the Republicans who joined his effort but also the Democrats who he said "stood by me on this."
He noted that some Democrats voted for the bill "with pain in their eyes," knowing that their action would provoke anger from voters.
The Dream Act would give conditional legal status to illegal immigrants who have lived in the United States at least five years and entered the country before age 16. They must graduate from high school, have no criminal record and have a "good moral character."
If these immigrants serve in the military or complete two years of higher education, the conditional status would be lifted. After five years, they could apply for citizenship.
Estimates vary as to the number of young illegal immigrants the bill would affect. The Congressional Budget Office has put it at fewer than 100,000, while the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute has estimated it at closer to 500,000.
Some proponents tried to cast the vote in a positive light. They noted that the four absent senators, including Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), had all vowed to support the measure, meaning it was closer to the needed 60 votes.
And, they said, the 2008 elections might send a message to vocal opponents that opposing immigration reform is not the winning issue they think it is.
"We're going through a period of time when there is a sense of panic among politicians," said Josh Bernstein, federal policy director for the Los Angeles-based National Immigration Law Center. "When the election comes, politicians will be surprised. Immigration was supposed to be the savior of Republicans in the last election, but that didn't happen. I don't think it will happen again."
Some signs of bipartisanship were evident Wednesday. Twelve Republicans defied their party by voting to begin debate. And Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) announced that she and Durbin were working on an approach that might attract more GOP support -- requiring, in addition to military service or attendance in college, a longer wait for citizenship.
But the White House played hardball on the issue, releasing a statement outlining its objections. "The administration is sympathetic to the position of young people who were brought here illegally as children and have come to know the United States as home," said a statement from the White House Office of Management and Budget. "Any resolution of their status, however, must be careful not to provide incentives for recurrence of the illegal conduct that has brought the nation to this point."
Democrats argued that there was a moral imperative to pass the bill, saying that skilled graduates would benefit American business and that the young people who enlisted would provide a much-needed boost to a military struggling to meet recruitment goals.
"Children should not be penalized for the actions of their parents," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). "Many of the children this bill addresses came here when they were very young. Many don't even remember their home countries or speak the language of their home countries. They are just as loyal and devoted to our country as any American."
Republicans objected to the timing of the debate as well as the bill's substance. Some complained that the Senate still had overdue spending bills to pass.
"We've yet to send a single appropriations bill," said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), pointing out that none of the 12 annual bills had made it to the president's desk.
He said that the Internet tax moratorium expired in "exactly one week," and that 50 million taxpayers could become ensnared in a confusing and costly tangle if Congress did not address the alternative minimum tax. "We have an enormous amount of work, and we're running out of time," he said.
Others, like Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), said the immigration bill was flawed, complaining that its beneficiaries would not be required to earn a college degree.
Some who had been supportive of the measure when Durbin brought it up on previous occasions were unenthusiastic. "Even though there's merit in the goal of the Dream Act, I feel this should be part of a comprehensive approach," said Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.).
Durbin countered that those affected by the bill would have very limited ability to sponsor family members to come to the U.S. and would not qualify for in-state tuition or federal aid.
And he implored the Senate not to ignore the talents and patriotism of children whose only crime was to pack their suitcases when their parents told them to.
"Don't turn around and tell me tomorrow you need H-1B immigration visas to bring in talented people to America because we don't have enough," Durbin said. "Don't take your anger on illegal immigration out on children who have nothing to say about this. They were brought to this country. . . . They've beaten the odds. We need them."
nicole.gaouette@latimes.com
johanna.neuman@latimes.com
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-immig25oct25,1,7837133,print.story?coll=la-headlines-nation
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
From Josh Bernstein at NILC on the DREAM ACT Vote
NILC 6:41 pm eastern time
We are not giving up. Too much is at stake.
This afternoon, a bipartisan 52-44 majority of the Senate voted in favor of permitting debate on the DREAM Act, S. 2205, legislation that would provide a path to legal status for young people who were brought to the U.S. years ago as children. Unfortunately, 60 votes were needed, so the DREAM Act could not proceed.
We are saddened and enraged that 60 votes could not be mustered for this bill, which would transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of deserving young people. But like those young people, the DREAM Act is not going away.
The vote was closer than it looks. All four Senators who?each for valid reasons?were unable to make the vote were DREAM Act supporters. Several others had indicated that they would vote in favor of the DREAM Act if it looked as if their votes would have made a difference. For the DREAM Act to have come so close is a remarkable accomplishment, given the level of panic now felt by many politicians about anything that affects immigrants
On the other hand, the DREAM Act suffered a major blow, perhaps the decisive one, when the White House came out in opposition just minutes before the vote. The reasons given for opposition were specious and small minded? a long way from the President who once expressed compassion and understanding for the plight of immigrants who have left their homelands, often with their children in tow, and made the sometimes dangerous journey to the U.S. in search of a better life here. He now appears to have abandoned any sympathy for those children.
Although it is now more of a long-shot, there is still a chance that the DREAM Act could be resurrected and enacted this year. It continues to enjoy bipartisan support, including a majority of the Senate and the some of the most powerful members of Congress. For the sake of tens of thousands of young people whose activism and powerful life stories have carried the DREAM Act so far, and for the sake of the nation, we will not give up.
Josh Bernstein
We are not giving up. Too much is at stake.
This afternoon, a bipartisan 52-44 majority of the Senate voted in favor of permitting debate on the DREAM Act, S. 2205, legislation that would provide a path to legal status for young people who were brought to the U.S. years ago as children. Unfortunately, 60 votes were needed, so the DREAM Act could not proceed.
We are saddened and enraged that 60 votes could not be mustered for this bill, which would transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of deserving young people. But like those young people, the DREAM Act is not going away.
The vote was closer than it looks. All four Senators who?each for valid reasons?were unable to make the vote were DREAM Act supporters. Several others had indicated that they would vote in favor of the DREAM Act if it looked as if their votes would have made a difference. For the DREAM Act to have come so close is a remarkable accomplishment, given the level of panic now felt by many politicians about anything that affects immigrants
On the other hand, the DREAM Act suffered a major blow, perhaps the decisive one, when the White House came out in opposition just minutes before the vote. The reasons given for opposition were specious and small minded? a long way from the President who once expressed compassion and understanding for the plight of immigrants who have left their homelands, often with their children in tow, and made the sometimes dangerous journey to the U.S. in search of a better life here. He now appears to have abandoned any sympathy for those children.
Although it is now more of a long-shot, there is still a chance that the DREAM Act could be resurrected and enacted this year. It continues to enjoy bipartisan support, including a majority of the Senate and the some of the most powerful members of Congress. For the sake of tens of thousands of young people whose activism and powerful life stories have carried the DREAM Act so far, and for the sake of the nation, we will not give up.
Josh Bernstein
Menendez is Discussing DREAM ACT Again 4:07 pm eastern
The DREAM ACT has come back. More information later.
Comments After the Vote on Cloture
This is Senator Reid's statement after cloture was voted down, taken word for word from the C-Span video:
"Mr. President, I move to re-consider that matter. Mr. President, I would now tell all members here I've had a conversation with the distinguished Republican leader and we're going to make a decision in the next hour or as to what we are going to go to next. We were planning of course to going this cloture and the motion to proceed was not invoked there are a number of things we are talking about and we'll make that decision this afternoon."
later:
A DREAM ACT student from Houston called Cornyn's office a few minutes ago and was told that Cornyn wanted to negotiate for "a graduation milestone and no federal financial aide (including loans)."
"Mr. President, I move to re-consider that matter. Mr. President, I would now tell all members here I've had a conversation with the distinguished Republican leader and we're going to make a decision in the next hour or as to what we are going to go to next. We were planning of course to going this cloture and the motion to proceed was not invoked there are a number of things we are talking about and we'll make that decision this afternoon."
later:
A DREAM ACT student from Houston called Cornyn's office a few minutes ago and was told that Cornyn wanted to negotiate for "a graduation milestone and no federal financial aide (including loans)."
Durbin's Statement on the Floor at 2:10 pm Eastern Time
From Durbin's office:
MR. DURBIN:
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM THE STATE OFWASHINGTON, SENATOR MURRAY, FOR HER REMARKS THAT WERE JUST CONCLUDED ABOUT THE "DREAM" ACT AND FOR HER VOTE IN SUPPORT OF IT. IT IS INTERESTING TO ME THAT THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN LITTLE TIME TO MEET THE STUDENTS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE COME AWAY WITH A MUCH DIFFERENT FEELING.
ONCE THIS GOES BEYOND THE CLICHES AND INFLAMMATORY RHETORIC THAT WE HEAR ON WHAT PASSES FOR ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION AND RADIO AND YOU ACTUALLY SIT DOWN AND HEAR THESE LIFE STORIES, YOU JUST CAN'T HELP BUT HAVE YOUR HEART TOUCHED BY THEM. IT HAPPENED TO ME A LONG TIME AGO,
SIX YEARS AGO, AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN TO ME. BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WE DIDN'T HAVE THE VOTES. WE HAD 52 VOTES WHEN WE NEEDED 60. AND IN THE SENATE, 60 VOTES IS A THRESHOLD REQUIREMENT. I WANT TO THANK THE 11 REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED WITH ME. I TELL YOU, IT TOOK SOME COURAGE FOR THEM TO DO IT. IT'S NOT AN EASY VOTE FOR ANYBODY. IT'S SURE NOT AN EASY VOTE FOR THEM WHEN THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEIR COLLEAGUES ARE GOING THE
OTHER WAY. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE 41 DEMOCRATS WHO STOOD BY ME ON THIS. SOME OF THEM DID IT WITH PAIN IN THEIR EYES, THINKING ABOUT NOW I HAVE TO GO HOME AND EXPLAIN THIS ONE. I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND I THANK THEM FOR DOING THAT. I GUESS AFTER YOU'VE BEEN AROUND CAPITOL HILL FOR A FEW YEARS, YOU TRY TO PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE ABOUT YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE. I DON'T BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY, IF ANY, WHO COME TO THE SENATE WITH THE AMBITION OF RETIRING. MOST OF US COME HERE WITH THE AMBITION OF DOING SOMETHING IMPORTANT FOR OUR NATION AND SERVING OUR NATION. AND THERE REACHES A POINT SOMETIMES IN A CAREER WHERE RISKS HAVE TO BE TAKEN FOR IMPORTANT THINGS TO HAPPEN. WHAT I DID TODAY WAS NO GREAT RISK.
I'LL PROBABLY HEAR ABOUT IT BACK HOME, AND I ALREADY HAVE A LITTLE BIT. BUT I WILL JUST SAY THAT IN THE COURSE OF OUR HISTORY THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT HAVE OCCURRED HERE IN THIS CHAMBER HAVE INVOLVED THE POLITICAL RISK AND CONTROVERSY, WHETHER IT'S A QUESTION OFFING VOTING ON A WAR OR -- OF VOTING ON A WAR OR VOTING ON ISSUES INVOLVING CIVIL RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS. AND IT'S RARE THAT YOU'LL FIND THAT GREAT ISSUE THAT MAKES A CAREER THAT EVERYBODY AGREES WITH. SO I WOULD SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES WHO JOINED IN THIS EFFORT TODAY, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. BUT THANKS ALSO FOR THE THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS AMERICA WHO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS DEBATE AND FOLLOW THIS ISSUE SO CLOSELY.
THE TOUGHEST PART WAS NOT STANDING IN THE WELL AND BEING TOLD I LOST WITH ONLY 52 VOTES. THE TOUGHEST PART WAS WALKING UP THOSE STAIRS AND FACING THREE OF THE KIDS IN MY OFFICE. AND I DIDN'T QUITE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, ONE YOUNG MAN WHOSE STEPFATHER, STEP GRANDFATHER FAILED TO FILE THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS. HE'S 20 YEARS OLD. A FEW YEARS AGO HE WAS ARRESTED AND DETAINED IN JAIL OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S. HOW'S THAT FOR A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PRESENT, TO BE TOLD THAT YOU'RE ILLEGAL AND SUBJECT TO DEPORTATION. ANOTHER YOUNG WOMAN WHO WAS, HER PARENTS WERE OUTED AS BEING ILLEGAL AND DEPORTED. AND I PLED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO LET HER STAY HOPE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO. BUT SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE SHE'S GOING FROM HERE. SHE'S LIVED IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE SHE WAS A VERY YOUNG GIRL, AND THIS IS HER COUNTRY. THIS IS WHERE SHE WANTS TO BE. AND ANOTHER ONE WHO IS LITERALLY A YOUNG WOMAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY. A REFUGEE FROM VIETNAM WHO WENT THROUGH GERMANY, CAME TO THE UNITED STATES. VIETNAM IS NOT A SAFE PLACE FOR HER TO RETURN TO. AND GERMANY DOESN'T WANT HER. SHE IS WITHOUT A COUNTRY. SHE HAS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE AND NO PLACE TO TURN.
WELL, I DIDN'T KNOW QUITE WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN I WENT UP TO SEE THEM AFTER THIS DISAPPOINTING VOTE, AND THEY GREETED ME WITH SMILES AND ENCOURAGEMENT. IT'S GREAT TO WORK AROUND YOUNG PEOPLE. THEY JUST HAVE SUCH DETERMINATION AND ENERGY, AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO LET ANYTHING GET THEM DOWN. IT MADE ME FEEL BETTER, AND I'M GLAD I DID IT EVEN THOUGH WE WEREN'T SUCCESSFUL. AND IT RENEWED MY COMMITMENT TO THIS ISSUE. I'M NOT GOING TO QUIT ON THIS. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE NEXT CHANCE WILL BE.
I KNOW WE HAVE A BUSY SCHEDULE, AND SENATOR REID WAS KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE ME MY CHANCE TODAY FOR A VOTE. BUT THIS IS AN IDEA WHOSE TIME WILL COME BECAUSE IT IS AN IDEA BASED ON JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS. TO THINK THAT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD SEE THEIR LIVES RUINED BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS WERE UNDOCUMENTED, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS BROUGHT THEM TO THIS COUNTRY. TO THINK THAT WE WOULD TURN THEM AWAY FROM AMERICA SAYING WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE TEACHERS AND NURSES AND DOCTORS.
NO, WE KNOW BETTER THAN THAT. WE NEED THEM. WE NEED ALL OF THEM. AND THEIR STRENGTH MAKES US A STRONGER NATION. SO THE DAY WILL COME, AND I HOPE SOON, WHEN WE HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE. AND TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW THIS DEBATE SO CLOSELY AND TO THOSE WHO REALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT THEIR FATE WAS IN THE HANDS OF THE SENATORS WHO VOTED THIS MORNING, DON'T GIVE UP. YOU HAVEN'T GIVEN UP YET AND YOU UP.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP PURSUING THIS. THIS IS A SAD AND TROUBLING MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN HISTORY BUT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIVISIVE. THERE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PEOPLE SAYING NOT MORE IMMIGRANTS IN THIS NATION OF IMMIGRANTS. IMMIGRANTS HAVE TO PLAY BY THE RULES, AND FOLLOW THE LAW. I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT LET'S NOT TURN OUR BACK ON THE HERITAGE OF THE NATION. OUR STRENGTH IS THE DIVERSITY. THE FACT WE COME FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE WORLD TO CALL THIS PLACE HOPE. THE FACT OUR PARENTS AND GRANTS HAD THE COURAGE TO PICK UP AND MOVE RATHER THAN BE CONTENT WITH A LIFE OF MEDIOCRE OPPORTUNITY. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT MADE AMERICA. THOSE ARE THE ONES WHO DEFINE WHO WE ARE. IT'S WHY WE ARE SPECIAL IN THIS WORLD, IF WE ARE AND I THINK WE ARE. AND WE CAN'T LET THESE YOUNG PEOPLE GO.
WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LET THEM GO. FOR THOSE SEVERAL OF THE SENATORS TODAY WHO REALLY STUCK THEIR NECKS OUT A MILE, A POLITICAL MILE, TO CAST THIS VOTE, I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART AND THESE "DREAM" ACT KIDS THANK YOU, TOO. THE AMERICAN DREAM WILL BE THERE SOME DAY AND WE WILL MAKE SURE IT HAPPENS. I YIELD THE FLOOR AND I SUGGEST THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM.
MR. DURBIN:
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM THE STATE OFWASHINGTON, SENATOR MURRAY, FOR HER REMARKS THAT WERE JUST CONCLUDED ABOUT THE "DREAM" ACT AND FOR HER VOTE IN SUPPORT OF IT. IT IS INTERESTING TO ME THAT THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN LITTLE TIME TO MEET THE STUDENTS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE COME AWAY WITH A MUCH DIFFERENT FEELING.
ONCE THIS GOES BEYOND THE CLICHES AND INFLAMMATORY RHETORIC THAT WE HEAR ON WHAT PASSES FOR ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION AND RADIO AND YOU ACTUALLY SIT DOWN AND HEAR THESE LIFE STORIES, YOU JUST CAN'T HELP BUT HAVE YOUR HEART TOUCHED BY THEM. IT HAPPENED TO ME A LONG TIME AGO,
SIX YEARS AGO, AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN TO ME. BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WE DIDN'T HAVE THE VOTES. WE HAD 52 VOTES WHEN WE NEEDED 60. AND IN THE SENATE, 60 VOTES IS A THRESHOLD REQUIREMENT. I WANT TO THANK THE 11 REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED WITH ME. I TELL YOU, IT TOOK SOME COURAGE FOR THEM TO DO IT. IT'S NOT AN EASY VOTE FOR ANYBODY. IT'S SURE NOT AN EASY VOTE FOR THEM WHEN THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEIR COLLEAGUES ARE GOING THE
OTHER WAY. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE 41 DEMOCRATS WHO STOOD BY ME ON THIS. SOME OF THEM DID IT WITH PAIN IN THEIR EYES, THINKING ABOUT NOW I HAVE TO GO HOME AND EXPLAIN THIS ONE. I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND I THANK THEM FOR DOING THAT. I GUESS AFTER YOU'VE BEEN AROUND CAPITOL HILL FOR A FEW YEARS, YOU TRY TO PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE ABOUT YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE. I DON'T BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY, IF ANY, WHO COME TO THE SENATE WITH THE AMBITION OF RETIRING. MOST OF US COME HERE WITH THE AMBITION OF DOING SOMETHING IMPORTANT FOR OUR NATION AND SERVING OUR NATION. AND THERE REACHES A POINT SOMETIMES IN A CAREER WHERE RISKS HAVE TO BE TAKEN FOR IMPORTANT THINGS TO HAPPEN. WHAT I DID TODAY WAS NO GREAT RISK.
I'LL PROBABLY HEAR ABOUT IT BACK HOME, AND I ALREADY HAVE A LITTLE BIT. BUT I WILL JUST SAY THAT IN THE COURSE OF OUR HISTORY THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT HAVE OCCURRED HERE IN THIS CHAMBER HAVE INVOLVED THE POLITICAL RISK AND CONTROVERSY, WHETHER IT'S A QUESTION OFFING VOTING ON A WAR OR -- OF VOTING ON A WAR OR VOTING ON ISSUES INVOLVING CIVIL RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS. AND IT'S RARE THAT YOU'LL FIND THAT GREAT ISSUE THAT MAKES A CAREER THAT EVERYBODY AGREES WITH. SO I WOULD SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES WHO JOINED IN THIS EFFORT TODAY, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. BUT THANKS ALSO FOR THE THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS AMERICA WHO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS DEBATE AND FOLLOW THIS ISSUE SO CLOSELY.
THE TOUGHEST PART WAS NOT STANDING IN THE WELL AND BEING TOLD I LOST WITH ONLY 52 VOTES. THE TOUGHEST PART WAS WALKING UP THOSE STAIRS AND FACING THREE OF THE KIDS IN MY OFFICE. AND I DIDN'T QUITE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, ONE YOUNG MAN WHOSE STEPFATHER, STEP GRANDFATHER FAILED TO FILE THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS. HE'S 20 YEARS OLD. A FEW YEARS AGO HE WAS ARRESTED AND DETAINED IN JAIL OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S. HOW'S THAT FOR A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PRESENT, TO BE TOLD THAT YOU'RE ILLEGAL AND SUBJECT TO DEPORTATION. ANOTHER YOUNG WOMAN WHO WAS, HER PARENTS WERE OUTED AS BEING ILLEGAL AND DEPORTED. AND I PLED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO LET HER STAY HOPE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO. BUT SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE SHE'S GOING FROM HERE. SHE'S LIVED IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE SHE WAS A VERY YOUNG GIRL, AND THIS IS HER COUNTRY. THIS IS WHERE SHE WANTS TO BE. AND ANOTHER ONE WHO IS LITERALLY A YOUNG WOMAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY. A REFUGEE FROM VIETNAM WHO WENT THROUGH GERMANY, CAME TO THE UNITED STATES. VIETNAM IS NOT A SAFE PLACE FOR HER TO RETURN TO. AND GERMANY DOESN'T WANT HER. SHE IS WITHOUT A COUNTRY. SHE HAS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE AND NO PLACE TO TURN.
WELL, I DIDN'T KNOW QUITE WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN I WENT UP TO SEE THEM AFTER THIS DISAPPOINTING VOTE, AND THEY GREETED ME WITH SMILES AND ENCOURAGEMENT. IT'S GREAT TO WORK AROUND YOUNG PEOPLE. THEY JUST HAVE SUCH DETERMINATION AND ENERGY, AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO LET ANYTHING GET THEM DOWN. IT MADE ME FEEL BETTER, AND I'M GLAD I DID IT EVEN THOUGH WE WEREN'T SUCCESSFUL. AND IT RENEWED MY COMMITMENT TO THIS ISSUE. I'M NOT GOING TO QUIT ON THIS. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE NEXT CHANCE WILL BE.
I KNOW WE HAVE A BUSY SCHEDULE, AND SENATOR REID WAS KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE ME MY CHANCE TODAY FOR A VOTE. BUT THIS IS AN IDEA WHOSE TIME WILL COME BECAUSE IT IS AN IDEA BASED ON JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS. TO THINK THAT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD SEE THEIR LIVES RUINED BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS WERE UNDOCUMENTED, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS BROUGHT THEM TO THIS COUNTRY. TO THINK THAT WE WOULD TURN THEM AWAY FROM AMERICA SAYING WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE TEACHERS AND NURSES AND DOCTORS.
NO, WE KNOW BETTER THAN THAT. WE NEED THEM. WE NEED ALL OF THEM. AND THEIR STRENGTH MAKES US A STRONGER NATION. SO THE DAY WILL COME, AND I HOPE SOON, WHEN WE HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE. AND TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW THIS DEBATE SO CLOSELY AND TO THOSE WHO REALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT THEIR FATE WAS IN THE HANDS OF THE SENATORS WHO VOTED THIS MORNING, DON'T GIVE UP. YOU HAVEN'T GIVEN UP YET AND YOU UP.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP PURSUING THIS. THIS IS A SAD AND TROUBLING MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN HISTORY BUT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIVISIVE. THERE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PEOPLE SAYING NOT MORE IMMIGRANTS IN THIS NATION OF IMMIGRANTS. IMMIGRANTS HAVE TO PLAY BY THE RULES, AND FOLLOW THE LAW. I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT LET'S NOT TURN OUR BACK ON THE HERITAGE OF THE NATION. OUR STRENGTH IS THE DIVERSITY. THE FACT WE COME FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE WORLD TO CALL THIS PLACE HOPE. THE FACT OUR PARENTS AND GRANTS HAD THE COURAGE TO PICK UP AND MOVE RATHER THAN BE CONTENT WITH A LIFE OF MEDIOCRE OPPORTUNITY. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT MADE AMERICA. THOSE ARE THE ONES WHO DEFINE WHO WE ARE. IT'S WHY WE ARE SPECIAL IN THIS WORLD, IF WE ARE AND I THINK WE ARE. AND WE CAN'T LET THESE YOUNG PEOPLE GO.
WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LET THEM GO. FOR THOSE SEVERAL OF THE SENATORS TODAY WHO REALLY STUCK THEIR NECKS OUT A MILE, A POLITICAL MILE, TO CAST THIS VOTE, I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART AND THESE "DREAM" ACT KIDS THANK YOU, TOO. THE AMERICAN DREAM WILL BE THERE SOME DAY AND WE WILL MAKE SURE IT HAPPENS. I YIELD THE FLOOR AND I SUGGEST THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM.
DREAM ACT Cloture Vote Breakdown
From U.S. Senate webpage:
YEAs ---52
Akaka (D-HI)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Brown (D-OH)
Brownback (R-KS)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Craig (R-ID)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Hagel (R-NE)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inouye (D-HI)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lott (R-MS)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Snowe (R-ME)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)
NAYs ---44
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bond (R-MO)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Byrd (D-WV)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
McCaskill (D-MO)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Pryor (D-AR)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Tester (D-MT)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Not Voting - 4
Boxer (D-CA)
Dodd (D-CT)
Kennedy (D-MA)
McCain (R-AZ)
YEAs ---52
Akaka (D-HI)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Brown (D-OH)
Brownback (R-KS)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Craig (R-ID)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Hagel (R-NE)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inouye (D-HI)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lott (R-MS)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Snowe (R-ME)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)
NAYs ---44
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bond (R-MO)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Byrd (D-WV)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
McCaskill (D-MO)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Pryor (D-AR)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Tester (D-MT)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Not Voting - 4
Boxer (D-CA)
Dodd (D-CT)
Kennedy (D-MA)
McCain (R-AZ)
Cloture Denied, but Reid Wants to Re-Address This Afternoon
The vote for cloture did not make it. However, Reid announced that they would re-address the DREAM ACT this afternoon. The vote was 52-46-- 8 short for cloture.
Hutchison's Statement in Response to Durbin
MRS. HUTCHISON: MR. PRESIDENT, THERE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE
BEEN BROUGHT TO THIS COUNTRY AS MINORS, NOT OF THEIR OWN DOING
WHO HAVE GONE TO AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOLS, GRADUATED AND WANT TO
GO TO AMERICAN COLLEGES, AND THEY ARE IN A LIMBO SITUATION. I
THINK WE SHOULD DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. I THINK WE SHOULD DO IT
IN A WAY THAT HELPS ASSIMILATE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A
COLLEGE EDUCATION INTO OUR COUNTRY. THEY HAVE LIVED HERE MOST
OF THEIR LIVES. IF WE SENT THEM HOME, THEY'RE -- THEY WOULDN'T
KNOW WHAT HOME IS. SO I THINK THERE IS A COMPASSIONATE REASON
FOR US TO TRY TO WORK THIS OUT. BUT I WILL SAY, MR. PRESIDENT,
IF WE CANNOT WORK ON A BIPARTISAN AMENDMENT, WE WILL HAVE
ANOTHER CLOTURE VOTE, AS HAS BEEN PROMISED. I WILL VOTE AGAINST
THE DURBIN BILL. BUT IF WE CAN WORK ON A BIPARTISAN SOLUTION,
WE SHOULD TRY. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, SENATOR
DURBIN.
BEEN BROUGHT TO THIS COUNTRY AS MINORS, NOT OF THEIR OWN DOING
WHO HAVE GONE TO AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOLS, GRADUATED AND WANT TO
GO TO AMERICAN COLLEGES, AND THEY ARE IN A LIMBO SITUATION. I
THINK WE SHOULD DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. I THINK WE SHOULD DO IT
IN A WAY THAT HELPS ASSIMILATE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A
COLLEGE EDUCATION INTO OUR COUNTRY. THEY HAVE LIVED HERE MOST
OF THEIR LIVES. IF WE SENT THEM HOME, THEY'RE -- THEY WOULDN'T
KNOW WHAT HOME IS. SO I THINK THERE IS A COMPASSIONATE REASON
FOR US TO TRY TO WORK THIS OUT. BUT I WILL SAY, MR. PRESIDENT,
IF WE CANNOT WORK ON A BIPARTISAN AMENDMENT, WE WILL HAVE
ANOTHER CLOTURE VOTE, AS HAS BEEN PROMISED. I WILL VOTE AGAINST
THE DURBIN BILL. BUT IF WE CAN WORK ON A BIPARTISAN SOLUTION,
WE SHOULD TRY. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, SENATOR
DURBIN.
Transcript From Durbin's Speech on DREAM ACT
THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS IS RECOGNIZED.
MR. DURBIN: MR. PRESIDENT, MANY SPEECHES ARE MADE ON THE FLOOR.
MANY AMENDMENTS ARE OFFERED. MANY BILLS AND MANY RESOLUTIONS,
VERY FEW OF THEM CAUSE A RIPPLE. A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE MAY FOLLOW
THEM CLOSELY. A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE MAY CARE. THE "DREAM" ACT IS
A DIFFERENT THING. THE "DREAM" ACT IS A BILL WHICH I THOUGHT
ABOUT AND INTRODUCED YEARS AGO AND HAS FINALLY REACHED THIS
MOMENT OF TRUTH WHERE IT COMES TO THE FLOOR OF THE UNITED
STATES SENATE. THE REASON WHY THIS BILL WILL BE NOTICED IS THAT
LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS AMERICA KNOW THAT
THEIR FATE AND FUTURE WILL BE DETERMINED BY THIS VOTE.
YESTERDAY I HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE WITH THREE OF THESE YOUNG
PEOPLE. THE CONGRESSMAN FROM THE STATE OF COLORADO SENT SOUGHT
A PRESS RELEASE ARGUING THAT THESE THREE YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE
ARRESTED IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITAL. OF COURSE HE DIDN'T TAKE
THE TIME TO DETERMINE THAT THEY ARE ALL HERE NOW WITH THE UN
UNDERSTANDING, DISCLOSURE, AND APPROVAL OF OUR LEGAL PROCESS.
BUT HIS PRESS RELEASE IS AN INDICATION OF HOW BADLY THIS DEBATE
IS GOING IN AMERICA. TO TURN ON THESE CHILDREN AND TREAT THEM
AS CRIMINALS IS AN INDICATION OF THE LEVEL OF EMOTION AND IN
SOME CASES BIGOTRY AND HATRED THAT IS INVOLVED IN THIS DEBATE.
I WANT TO TELL YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, AMERICA IS BETTER THAN THAT.
AMERICA IS A BETTER NATION THAN WHAT WE HEAR FROM THE LIKES OF
THAT CONGRESSMAN. WHAT CRIME DID THESE CHILDREN COMMIT?
THEY COMMITTED THE CRIME OF OBEYING THEIR PARENTS, FOLLOWING
THEIR PARENTS TO THIS COUNTRY. DO YOU THINK THERE WAS A VOTE IN
THE HOUSEHOLD ABOUT THEIR FU FUTURE?
I DON'T THINK SO. MOM AND DAD SAID, WE'RE LEAVING. THE KIDS
PACKED THEIR SUITCASES AND FOLLOW. THAT'S THEIR CRIME. THAT'S
THE ONLY CRIME THAT YOU CAN POINT TO. AND WHAT DID THEY DO
AFTER THEY GOT HERE?
TO QUALIFY UNDER THE "DREAM" AC ACT, THEY HAD TO MAKE CERTAIN
THAT THEY DIDN'T COMMIT A CRIME WHILE THEY WERE LIVING IN
AMERICA. GOOD MORAL CHARACTER AND BEAT THE ODDS BY GRADUATING
FROM HIGH SCHOOL. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN QUALIFY FOR
THIS. AND THEN WHAT DO WE SAY?
NOT ENOUGH. IF YOU WANT TO BE LEGAL IN AMERICA, YOU HAVE TO DO
ONE OF
TWO THINGS: VOLUNTEER TO SERVE IN OUR MILITARY, TO RISK YOUR
LIFE FOR AMERICA, THEN WE'LL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO BE CITIZENS.
THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR SOME. SOME ARGUE, NO, WE DON'T WANT
THEM IN OUR MILITARY. WE DON'T NEED THEM. WELL, THE PEOPLE
INVOLVED IN OUR MILITARY KNOW BETTER. THEY KNOW THAT THESE ARE
THE KIND OF BRIGHT, PROMISING YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CAN SERVE OUR
COUNTRY WITH DISTINCTION, AND THEY TELL US THAT. AND WHAT ELSE
COULD THEY DO?
PURSUE THEIR EDUCATION TO SHOW THAT THEY'RE SERIOUS ABOUT
MAKING SOMETHING OF THEIR LIVES. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT THEY
CAN HAVE A CHANCE. THAT'S WHAT THE "DREAM" AACT IS ALL B I
COULD GO THROUGH FOR AN HOUR OR MORE THE STORIES OF THESE YOUNG
PEOPLE THAT I'VE ME MET. THEY ARE HOPEFUL AND HEARTBREAKING AT
THE SAME TIME. HOPEFUL STORIES BECAUSE THESE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE
WHO HAVE THE SAME DREAMS THAT MY CHILDREN HAVE, THE SAME DREAMS
THAT EVERY AMERICAN HAS -- TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE, A GOOD FAMILY,
DO SOMETHING IMPORTANT IN YOUR LI LIFE. THAT'S ALL THEY WANT.
THE YOUNG WOMAN FROM INDIA THAT I MET IN CHICAGO WHO WANTS TO
BE A DENTIST, THE YOUNG MAN FROM MEXICO WHO IS NOW PURSUING HIS
GRADUATE DEGREE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE TO WANTS TO GO INTO
RESEARCH, THE YOUNG GIRL FROM TEXAS WHO IS A GRADUATE OF NU
NURSING SCHOOL BUT CAN'T FIND A JOB BECAUSE SHE IS A PERSON
WITHOUT A COUNTRY, THE TEACHERS -- TOMORROW'S TEACHERS AND
ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS. ALL THEY'RE ASKING FOR IS A CHANCE.
THAT IS THE HOPEFUL SIDE OF IT. THE HEARTBREAKING SIDE OF IT IS
THESE ARE KIDS WITHOUT A CO COUNTRY. THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO TURN.
TAM TRAN, WHO IS IN THE GALLERY TODAY AND JOINED ME YESTERDAY,
WHAT AN ARDUOUS JOURNEY SHE'S BEEN THROUGH. STARTING IN
VIETNAM, GOING TO GERMANY, SCMG TO THE UNITED STATES. HER
FAMILY CAN'T RETURN TO VIETNAM AND FACE PERSECUTION, AND
GERMANY WON'T HAVE HER. SHE DOESN'T EVEN SPEAK GERMAN AND OUR
GOVERNMENT TELLS HER, LEAVE. SHE JUST GRADUATED FROM UCLA. SHE
WANTED TO BE A PROFESSOR. LEAVE, WE DON'T WANT YOU. IS THAT THE MESSAGE?
IF IT IS, IT IS THE WRONG MESSAGE BECAUSE TIME AND AGAIN WE ARE
TOLD THAT WE NEED TALENT IN AMERICA TO BE A SUCCESSFUL,
PROSPEROUS NATION. WE NEED TO BRING IN TALENT FROM
OVERSEAS AND H-1B VISAS. HOW CAN WE AT ONE SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT
SAY THAT WE NEED MORTALITY AND THEN TURN THESE -- MORE TALENT
AND THEN TURN THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AWAY?
GIVE THEM A CHANCE. GIVE THEM HOPE. GIVE THEM CHANCE TO PROVE
THEMSELVES TO THIS COUNTRY. THIS BILL PUTS THEM THROUGH A LONG
PROCESS. IT WON'T BE EASY. SOME OF THEM WON'T MAKE T MOST OF
THEM WON'T MAKE T BUT THOSE WHO DO WILL MAKE THIS A BETTER
NATION. AND, MR. PRESIDENT, ISN'T THAT WHAT WE SHOULD BE ABOUT?
I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
MR. DURBIN: MR. PRESIDENT, MANY SPEECHES ARE MADE ON THE FLOOR.
MANY AMENDMENTS ARE OFFERED. MANY BILLS AND MANY RESOLUTIONS,
VERY FEW OF THEM CAUSE A RIPPLE. A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE MAY FOLLOW
THEM CLOSELY. A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE MAY CARE. THE "DREAM" ACT IS
A DIFFERENT THING. THE "DREAM" ACT IS A BILL WHICH I THOUGHT
ABOUT AND INTRODUCED YEARS AGO AND HAS FINALLY REACHED THIS
MOMENT OF TRUTH WHERE IT COMES TO THE FLOOR OF THE UNITED
STATES SENATE. THE REASON WHY THIS BILL WILL BE NOTICED IS THAT
LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS AMERICA KNOW THAT
THEIR FATE AND FUTURE WILL BE DETERMINED BY THIS VOTE.
YESTERDAY I HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE WITH THREE OF THESE YOUNG
PEOPLE. THE CONGRESSMAN FROM THE STATE OF COLORADO SENT SOUGHT
A PRESS RELEASE ARGUING THAT THESE THREE YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE
ARRESTED IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITAL. OF COURSE HE DIDN'T TAKE
THE TIME TO DETERMINE THAT THEY ARE ALL HERE NOW WITH THE UN
UNDERSTANDING, DISCLOSURE, AND APPROVAL OF OUR LEGAL PROCESS.
BUT HIS PRESS RELEASE IS AN INDICATION OF HOW BADLY THIS DEBATE
IS GOING IN AMERICA. TO TURN ON THESE CHILDREN AND TREAT THEM
AS CRIMINALS IS AN INDICATION OF THE LEVEL OF EMOTION AND IN
SOME CASES BIGOTRY AND HATRED THAT IS INVOLVED IN THIS DEBATE.
I WANT TO TELL YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, AMERICA IS BETTER THAN THAT.
AMERICA IS A BETTER NATION THAN WHAT WE HEAR FROM THE LIKES OF
THAT CONGRESSMAN. WHAT CRIME DID THESE CHILDREN COMMIT?
THEY COMMITTED THE CRIME OF OBEYING THEIR PARENTS, FOLLOWING
THEIR PARENTS TO THIS COUNTRY. DO YOU THINK THERE WAS A VOTE IN
THE HOUSEHOLD ABOUT THEIR FU FUTURE?
I DON'T THINK SO. MOM AND DAD SAID, WE'RE LEAVING. THE KIDS
PACKED THEIR SUITCASES AND FOLLOW. THAT'S THEIR CRIME. THAT'S
THE ONLY CRIME THAT YOU CAN POINT TO. AND WHAT DID THEY DO
AFTER THEY GOT HERE?
TO QUALIFY UNDER THE "DREAM" AC ACT, THEY HAD TO MAKE CERTAIN
THAT THEY DIDN'T COMMIT A CRIME WHILE THEY WERE LIVING IN
AMERICA. GOOD MORAL CHARACTER AND BEAT THE ODDS BY GRADUATING
FROM HIGH SCHOOL. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN QUALIFY FOR
THIS. AND THEN WHAT DO WE SAY?
NOT ENOUGH. IF YOU WANT TO BE LEGAL IN AMERICA, YOU HAVE TO DO
ONE OF
TWO THINGS: VOLUNTEER TO SERVE IN OUR MILITARY, TO RISK YOUR
LIFE FOR AMERICA, THEN WE'LL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO BE CITIZENS.
THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR SOME. SOME ARGUE, NO, WE DON'T WANT
THEM IN OUR MILITARY. WE DON'T NEED THEM. WELL, THE PEOPLE
INVOLVED IN OUR MILITARY KNOW BETTER. THEY KNOW THAT THESE ARE
THE KIND OF BRIGHT, PROMISING YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CAN SERVE OUR
COUNTRY WITH DISTINCTION, AND THEY TELL US THAT. AND WHAT ELSE
COULD THEY DO?
PURSUE THEIR EDUCATION TO SHOW THAT THEY'RE SERIOUS ABOUT
MAKING SOMETHING OF THEIR LIVES. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT THEY
CAN HAVE A CHANCE. THAT'S WHAT THE "DREAM" AACT IS ALL B I
COULD GO THROUGH FOR AN HOUR OR MORE THE STORIES OF THESE YOUNG
PEOPLE THAT I'VE ME MET. THEY ARE HOPEFUL AND HEARTBREAKING AT
THE SAME TIME. HOPEFUL STORIES BECAUSE THESE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE
WHO HAVE THE SAME DREAMS THAT MY CHILDREN HAVE, THE SAME DREAMS
THAT EVERY AMERICAN HAS -- TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE, A GOOD FAMILY,
DO SOMETHING IMPORTANT IN YOUR LI LIFE. THAT'S ALL THEY WANT.
THE YOUNG WOMAN FROM INDIA THAT I MET IN CHICAGO WHO WANTS TO
BE A DENTIST, THE YOUNG MAN FROM MEXICO WHO IS NOW PURSUING HIS
GRADUATE DEGREE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE TO WANTS TO GO INTO
RESEARCH, THE YOUNG GIRL FROM TEXAS WHO IS A GRADUATE OF NU
NURSING SCHOOL BUT CAN'T FIND A JOB BECAUSE SHE IS A PERSON
WITHOUT A COUNTRY, THE TEACHERS -- TOMORROW'S TEACHERS AND
ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS. ALL THEY'RE ASKING FOR IS A CHANCE.
THAT IS THE HOPEFUL SIDE OF IT. THE HEARTBREAKING SIDE OF IT IS
THESE ARE KIDS WITHOUT A CO COUNTRY. THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO TURN.
TAM TRAN, WHO IS IN THE GALLERY TODAY AND JOINED ME YESTERDAY,
WHAT AN ARDUOUS JOURNEY SHE'S BEEN THROUGH. STARTING IN
VIETNAM, GOING TO GERMANY, SCMG TO THE UNITED STATES. HER
FAMILY CAN'T RETURN TO VIETNAM AND FACE PERSECUTION, AND
GERMANY WON'T HAVE HER. SHE DOESN'T EVEN SPEAK GERMAN AND OUR
GOVERNMENT TELLS HER, LEAVE. SHE JUST GRADUATED FROM UCLA. SHE
WANTED TO BE A PROFESSOR. LEAVE, WE DON'T WANT YOU. IS THAT THE MESSAGE?
IF IT IS, IT IS THE WRONG MESSAGE BECAUSE TIME AND AGAIN WE ARE
TOLD THAT WE NEED TALENT IN AMERICA TO BE A SUCCESSFUL,
PROSPEROUS NATION. WE NEED TO BRING IN TALENT FROM
OVERSEAS AND H-1B VISAS. HOW CAN WE AT ONE SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT
SAY THAT WE NEED MORTALITY AND THEN TURN THESE -- MORE TALENT
AND THEN TURN THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AWAY?
GIVE THEM A CHANCE. GIVE THEM HOPE. GIVE THEM CHANCE TO PROVE
THEMSELVES TO THIS COUNTRY. THIS BILL PUTS THEM THROUGH A LONG
PROCESS. IT WON'T BE EASY. SOME OF THEM WON'T MAKE T MOST OF
THEM WON'T MAKE T BUT THOSE WHO DO WILL MAKE THIS A BETTER
NATION. AND, MR. PRESIDENT, ISN'T THAT WHAT WE SHOULD BE ABOUT?
I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
From Durbin's Office: Press Release 11:59 am eastern time
For Immediate Release
Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2007
CONTACT: Jim Manley / Rodell Mollineau, (202) 224-2939
REID: DREAM ACT WILL GIVE YOUNG AMERICANS OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE EDUCATION, CHANCE TO SUCCEED
Washington, DC—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today on the floor of the U.S. Senate to express his strong support for the DREAM Act.
Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Earlier this year, we had the chance to enact comprehensive immigration reform. That effort brought people together – from both sides of the aisle and all over the political spectrum – who agreed that our current immigration system works for no one. That effort brought Democrats and Republicans together in pursuit of the common good.
“So many of us were profoundly disappointed when a group of Republicans blocked that comprehensive immigration reform legislation earlier this year. I continue to believe that tough, fair, practical and comprehensive reform is the only way to get control of our broken immigration system and to restore the rule of law. I remain committed to enacting comprehensive legislation in the future. But until we can once again move forward on comprehensive reform, we should at the very least enact the DREAM Act.
“We tried to offer this crucial legislation as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill, but we were blocked in doing so by a small number of Republicans. At that time, I committed to moving to the DREAM Act for a vote before November 16th, and today we do just that.
“We now turn to the DREAM Act as stand-alone legislation, and I once again rise to offer my strong support for it. Anyone who believes, as I do, that education unlocks doors to limitless opportunity, should join me in voting for this legislation. The DREAM Act recognizes that children should not be penalized for the actions of their parents.
“Many of the children this bill addresses came here when they were very young. Many don’t even remember their home countries or speak the language of their home countries. They are just as loyal and devoted to our country as any American.
“Only children who came to the U.S. when they were 15 years old or younger, have been in the US for at least five years and are now not yet 30 years old can apply. Those who are eligible must earn a high school diploma, demonstrate good moral character, and pass criminal and security clearances. They must also either go to college or serve in the military for two years.
“I have met star students in Nevada who would qualify for the DREAM Act. With it, their futures are limitless. Without it, their hope is diminished. What a waste it is to make it more difficult for children to go to college or get jobs, when they could be making meaningful contributions to their communities and to our country. What good does it do anybody to prevent these young people from having a future?
“The answer is that it does no good. It harms children who have done no wrong, and in the long run, it gravely harms our country’s economy. I so appreciate the work of Senator Durbin to bring this legislation to the floor. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that this important bipartisan bill does not go away. Now we must invoke cloture and pass it.
“If we do so, we will put the American Dream within reach for more children in Nevada and across America, who want nothing more than a fair chance at success. That would be an accomplishment we can all be proud of.”
Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2007
CONTACT: Jim Manley / Rodell Mollineau, (202) 224-2939
REID: DREAM ACT WILL GIVE YOUNG AMERICANS OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE EDUCATION, CHANCE TO SUCCEED
Washington, DC—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today on the floor of the U.S. Senate to express his strong support for the DREAM Act.
Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Earlier this year, we had the chance to enact comprehensive immigration reform. That effort brought people together – from both sides of the aisle and all over the political spectrum – who agreed that our current immigration system works for no one. That effort brought Democrats and Republicans together in pursuit of the common good.
“So many of us were profoundly disappointed when a group of Republicans blocked that comprehensive immigration reform legislation earlier this year. I continue to believe that tough, fair, practical and comprehensive reform is the only way to get control of our broken immigration system and to restore the rule of law. I remain committed to enacting comprehensive legislation in the future. But until we can once again move forward on comprehensive reform, we should at the very least enact the DREAM Act.
“We tried to offer this crucial legislation as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill, but we were blocked in doing so by a small number of Republicans. At that time, I committed to moving to the DREAM Act for a vote before November 16th, and today we do just that.
“We now turn to the DREAM Act as stand-alone legislation, and I once again rise to offer my strong support for it. Anyone who believes, as I do, that education unlocks doors to limitless opportunity, should join me in voting for this legislation. The DREAM Act recognizes that children should not be penalized for the actions of their parents.
“Many of the children this bill addresses came here when they were very young. Many don’t even remember their home countries or speak the language of their home countries. They are just as loyal and devoted to our country as any American.
“Only children who came to the U.S. when they were 15 years old or younger, have been in the US for at least five years and are now not yet 30 years old can apply. Those who are eligible must earn a high school diploma, demonstrate good moral character, and pass criminal and security clearances. They must also either go to college or serve in the military for two years.
“I have met star students in Nevada who would qualify for the DREAM Act. With it, their futures are limitless. Without it, their hope is diminished. What a waste it is to make it more difficult for children to go to college or get jobs, when they could be making meaningful contributions to their communities and to our country. What good does it do anybody to prevent these young people from having a future?
“The answer is that it does no good. It harms children who have done no wrong, and in the long run, it gravely harms our country’s economy. I so appreciate the work of Senator Durbin to bring this legislation to the floor. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that this important bipartisan bill does not go away. Now we must invoke cloture and pass it.
“If we do so, we will put the American Dream within reach for more children in Nevada and across America, who want nothing more than a fair chance at success. That would be an accomplishment we can all be proud of.”
UPDATE from Durbin's Office: 10 24 07
UPDATE at 9:08 am Central Time
from Durbin's office:
Current debate on Southwick is on the senate floor
If cloture is not invoked on the Southwick nomination, the DREAM cloture vote would occur at approximately 11:45am Eastern
If cloture is invoked on the Southwick nomination, the DREAM cloture vote would occur at approximately 12:05pm Eastern
from Durbin's office:
Current debate on Southwick is on the senate floor
If cloture is not invoked on the Southwick nomination, the DREAM cloture vote would occur at approximately 11:45am Eastern
If cloture is invoked on the Southwick nomination, the DREAM cloture vote would occur at approximately 12:05pm Eastern
Rick Noriega and the U.S. Senate
Photo: Rick Noriega
Rick Noriega's chances at the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate are looking very solid now that his opponent Mikal Watts has withdrawn from the race. What Noriega needs help with is fundraising, which unfortunately is the ticket to electoral victory these days.
We need to remember that Noriega was one of the main people who helped institute (and keep) in-state tuition for undocumented college students. If the DREAM ACT passes this Congressional session. scores of students Texas will be ready for permanent residency - having been able to attend college and graduate since 2001 because of Noriega's bill.
Its really important to remember the people that help the students. Plus, if he wins, maybe he'll take a few DREAM ACT college graduates with him to Washington.
-----
Politics
Oct. 23, 2007, 11:32PM
Noriega's race soars as Watts drops out
Democrat may get a clear shot against Cornyn
By R.G. RATCLIFFE and PEGGY FIKAC
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
AUSTIN — The departure of San Antonio lawyer Mikal Watts from the U.S. Senate race Tuesday gives Houston state Rep. Rick Noriega a possible clear run for the Democratic nomination and a general election challenge to Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
Noriega has a personal story of service in the Legislature and in the National Guard in Afghanistan that his campaign hopes could make him a compelling candidate against Cornyn.
But the question now is whether enough national Democratic campaign cash would make it into Noriega's coffers next year to give him a realistic shot at defeating Cornyn in what some describe as the reddest of the red states.
Noriega said he is not worried as much about how to run the campaign as to make sure it stays focused on "the junior senator," as he refers to Cornyn.
"I've got buddies dying. There are folks in Iraq who are on their third tour. I wish we could keep our eye on the ball," Noriega said Tuesday.
"My personal experiences and having walked the walk in a lot of these venues brings it home for regular Texans. Money is not the end-all," Noriega said. "We will have what we need to tell our story and tell regular Texans that the junior senator has done a poor job."
Noriega said Watts called Tuesday morning and said he had decided to withdraw from the race because of the strain it was putting on his family.
"Today, Mikal made a very difficult and personal decision to put his family first. That's a reflection of a strong character and a truly grounded leader," Noriega said. "Mikal and I made plans to sit down together in the next couple of weeks.
"In the meantime, I'll continue the campaign that we started together and fight for the vision for a better Texas that we continue to share."
Watts, a millionaire trial lawyer, had been attractive to national Democrats because he could largely self-finance a credible race against Cornyn without taking money away from Democratic candidates in other states.
On Tuesday, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's spokesman was hesitant to rush a voice of financial support to Noriega.
"Why would we want to tip our hand to John Cornyn?" said Matthew Miller.
Noriega said Sen. Charles Schumer of New York recently told him he thought any Democratic nominee would have a good chance of defeating Cornyn. DSCC polling this year showed a third of Texans polled could not identify Cornyn and his re-election numbers were below 50 percent.
Incumbent's reaction
Cornyn has declined to discuss Democrats in his re-election bid until a nominee is chosen, but campaign manager Rob Jesmer issued a statement Tuesday saying Cornyn "respects" Watts' decision to drop out.
Jesmer said Cornyn will continue "to work tirelessly on behalf of Texans advocating for lower taxes, less government spending, greater access to health care and stronger national security."
While Noriega currently is unopposed, the filing deadline is not until Jan. 2. Some Democrats have mentioned former Comptroller John Sharp and former Ambassador to Sweden Lyndon Olson, of Waco, as possible candidates. Noriega said he plans to continue campaigning as if he has an opponent.
Texas Democratic consultant Harold Cook said it is difficult for the national party leaders to make a financial commitment in Texas because the state is so large and has so many media markets. He said Texas has two votes in the Senate just like smaller states where seats can be won for a lot less money.
"I don't think there's a state in the nation where there's a smaller bang for your buck than Texas," Cook said.
To attract national money, he said, Noriega will have to prove between now and September 2008 that he has a decent chance of defeating Cornyn.
"The only thing you have to do to get on the DSCC's radar screen is to make yourself viable," Cook said.
In the 2002 campaign that put Cornyn in the Senate, Democrat Ron Kirk spent $8.8 million against Cornyn's $9.1 million. On top of that, the DSCC bought $4.5 million in ads for Kirk, while the Republican National Committee financed $4.1 million for Cornyn.
Watts had already committed $7.5 million of his own money to his campaign. Noriega raised $530,722 in the first three months of his campaign. Cornyn has $6.6 million in the bank.
Watts announced that he is dropping out of the race because of the pressure that campaigning has put on his family.
"After spending the last several months putting everything into this campaign, I have seen the toll this effort has taken on my young children. For these reasons, my wife and I have made the decision that I will not be seeking the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate in 2008," he said in a statement.
Says he's still committed
Watts said he still believes in the fight that prompted him to explore the race and will personally do everything possible to support the Democratic nominee.
While family issues may have taken a toll, Watts faced other problems in the primary.
Watts' stance as an anti-abortion candidate caused him trouble at numerous Democratic events. Last Friday, a man stood and booed him at a Democratic Party fish fry. Watts missed a Saturday Democratic dinner in Houston, where Noriega received a standing ovation while introducing Mayor Bill White.
Chronicle reporter Bennett Roth and San Antonio Express-News reporter John Tedesco contributed to this report.
r.g.ratcliffe@chron.com
pfikac@express-news.net
article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/5240202.html
photo: http://www.austinchronicle.com/binary/3c02/noriega.jpg
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Lesson in Politics - How to Get a Bill Passed in the Senate
Getting the DREAM ACT Passed
Its very basic. Senator's offices count how many people call in pro- or - con on a bill. Since there are so many people out there that are extremists when it comes to immigration, they are flooding the phone lines. Some senate offices get as many as 400 ANTI-DREAM Act calls per day.... compared to about 20 PRO-DREAM Act calls they might receive.
MOST important, if you want this bill to pass (warts included) - call the offices of your 2 senators. You don't need to be a voter to call. All they will ask is your zip code. Tell them quickly that you are for the DREAM ACT - they will ask you the zip code and you hang up. That is all you have to do.
If you don't want to talk to them, send a fax or and email. Phone calls seem to be what they want, but the others will do.
It doesn't make logical sense to use this as a determinant to what bill passes, and I'm sure there have to be a lot of other influences - but this is what we are hearing these days from DREAM ACT students who have spoken directly with Senators and their staffs.
Set your "record" button to your cable box for Wed. Its should be a show down with lots of fireworks. Be prepared for some nasty arguments - and remember if people say ugly things about DREAM ACT students, keep in mind that they probably aren't nice people anyway - besides there is always karma.
List of senators that have not decided which way they will vote on the DREAM ACT, if your senator is on the list it is even MORE important that you call.
Murkowski (R-AK) 202-244-6665
Stevens (R-AK) 202224-3004
Pryor (D-AR) 202-224-2353
Martinez (R-FL) 202-224-3041
Inouye (D-HI) 202-224-3934
Brownback (R-KS) 202-224-6521
Landieu (D-LA) 202-224-5824
Collins (R-ME) 202-224-2523
Snowe (R-ME) 202-224-5344
Conrad (D-ND) 202-224-2043
Dorgan (D-ND) 202-224-2551
Dominici (R-NM) 202-224-6621
Voinovich (R-OH) 202-224-3353
Smith (R-OR) 202-224-3753
Graham (R-SC) 202-224-5972
Johnson (D-SD) 202-224-5842
Cornyn (R-TX) 202-224-2934
Warner(R-VA) 202-224-2023
Rockefeller (D-VA) 202-224-6472
list provided by MigraMatters blog
Photo: U.S. Senate Building. AP http://kohm.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/uscapitolindaylight.jpg
On the DREAM ACT, by Durbin, Leahy, and Menendez
A few days ago I wrote a post titled "Going to Iraq is Not Amnesty" (October 14, 2007) Durbin addressed the issue of amnesty in the following statement.
This from a press conference held earlier today regarding the DREAM ACT, which will probably come up in the senate tomorrow:
Senator Durbin:
“When I hear some describe this bill as amnesty, I wonder, if someone is willing to risk his or her life to serve in our military in a combat zone, is that a giveaway? If they go to college and become future nurses, future teachers, future doctors, scientists, and engineers, doesn’t that make our country an even richer place?” said Durbin. “We can allow a generation of immigrant students with great potential and ambitions to contribute more fully to our society and national security, or we can relegate them to a future in the shadows, which would be a loss for all Americans. This is the choice the DREAM Act presents to us.”
Senator Leahy:
“When the young people of America have the opportunity to reach their potential, we all win,” said Leahy. “The DREAM Act is designed to create new opportunities for young people, whose achievements in turn strengthen our communities and the nation. This legislation has had bipartisan support since 2001, and we should not hinder this forward-looking effort with politics. I hope Congress this year will choose to invest in our future by supporting the DREAM Act to make higher education and the American Dream a reality for so many of our young people.”
Senator R. Menendez:
“There are men and women who came to this country when they were very young, who worked hard in high school, who are ready to study or wear the uniform of the United States of America—but who see those doors slam shut in their faces because their parents were undocumented. At the end of the day, the DREAM Act is a straight-ahead test of what America is all about. The fundamental question is: Do we punish children for the sins of their parents?”
This from a press conference held earlier today regarding the DREAM ACT, which will probably come up in the senate tomorrow:
Senator Durbin:
“When I hear some describe this bill as amnesty, I wonder, if someone is willing to risk his or her life to serve in our military in a combat zone, is that a giveaway? If they go to college and become future nurses, future teachers, future doctors, scientists, and engineers, doesn’t that make our country an even richer place?” said Durbin. “We can allow a generation of immigrant students with great potential and ambitions to contribute more fully to our society and national security, or we can relegate them to a future in the shadows, which would be a loss for all Americans. This is the choice the DREAM Act presents to us.”
Senator Leahy:
“When the young people of America have the opportunity to reach their potential, we all win,” said Leahy. “The DREAM Act is designed to create new opportunities for young people, whose achievements in turn strengthen our communities and the nation. This legislation has had bipartisan support since 2001, and we should not hinder this forward-looking effort with politics. I hope Congress this year will choose to invest in our future by supporting the DREAM Act to make higher education and the American Dream a reality for so many of our young people.”
Senator R. Menendez:
“There are men and women who came to this country when they were very young, who worked hard in high school, who are ready to study or wear the uniform of the United States of America—but who see those doors slam shut in their faces because their parents were undocumented. At the end of the day, the DREAM Act is a straight-ahead test of what America is all about. The fundamental question is: Do we punish children for the sins of their parents?”
Monday, October 22, 2007
DREAM ACT Could Come Up in Senate on Wed 10 24 2007
from NILC 10 22 2007
THIS IS NOT A DRILL!
SENATE VOTE ON DREAM ACT
AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY!
***IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED***
YOU AND YOUR NETWORKS NEED TO FLOOD SENATE OFFICES WITH PHONE CALLS, FAXES AND EMAILS TOMORROW!!!!!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2007
TELL SENATORS TO VOTE FOR S. 2205 THE DREAM ACT!!!
CALL THEM AGAIN THE NEXT DAY!!!!!
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2007
TELL SENATORS TO VOTE FOR S. 2205 THE DREAM ACT!!!
The DREAM Act will likely come up for a vote on the Senate floor this Wednesday.
IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR ALL DREAM ACT SUPPORTERS TO CALL YOUR SENATORS, send an e-mail message and fax them, do it all over again on Wednesday morning first thing.
SHUTDOWN THE SENATE SWITCHBOARD WITH YOUR CALLS!
CALL 202-224-3121
DON'T LET THE ANTI-DREAM CALLERS BEAT US THIS TIME!
Last week, Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) quietly re-introduced the DREAM Act as a new stand-alone bill, S. 2205. Most likely this Wednesday there will be a "cloture" vote on whether the DREAM Act can be debated and ultimately voted on. This will mark the first time that the DREAM Act has ever come to a clean vote on the Senate floor.
The provisions of S. 2205 are similar, though not identical, to S. 774, the version of the DREAM Act that was filed by the Senators Durbin, Hagel, and Lugar earlier this year. Like the earlier version, S. 2205 would provide a 6-year path to permanent residence and eventual citizenship for individuals brought to the U.S. more than 5 years ago as undocumented children if they graduate from high school and continue on to college or military service.
The cloture motion will require 60 votes to pass. If it fails, the DREAM Act will be pulled from the floor. If it passes, there will be more votes on the DREAM Act as well as on possible amendments. The outcome of these votes will determine the fate of the DREAM Act for this Congress.
THE FIRST STEP IS PASSAGE OF THE "CLOTURE" MOTION, MOST LIKELY ON WEDNESDAY. We recognize that this is not the first time this year that we have punched the alarm bell, but THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Word is already getting out about the vote on anti-immigrant websites, talk shows, and cable TV who are spreading their usual falsehoods, and there is little doubt that their angry and fearful base will respond.
OUR RESPONSE MUST BE UNPRECEDENTED!
If you care at all about the future of DREAM Act students who have grown up here, then you must make your calls today and tomorrow, then forward this message, and then get on the phone to make sure that everyone you know does likewise. There will not be another chance.
CALL BOTH OF YOUR SENATORS AND TELL THEM:
"PLEASE VOTE FOR THE DREAM ACT
SO THAT IMMIGRANT STUDENTS BROUGHT HERE AS CHILDREN
CAN REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL"
CALL THE SENATE SWITCHBOARD 202-224-3121
To send an e-mail message to your Senators please go to:
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/NILC/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=12129
What else you can do:
Forward this message to every listserv and everyone you know
Post it on blogs, MySpace, Facebook, or other on-line networking tools
Call in to C-SPAN or other radio or television shows where there is some hope of a sympathetic audience (not anti-immigrant propaganda sites)
THIS IS NOT A DRILL!
SENATE VOTE ON DREAM ACT
AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY!
***IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED***
YOU AND YOUR NETWORKS NEED TO FLOOD SENATE OFFICES WITH PHONE CALLS, FAXES AND EMAILS TOMORROW!!!!!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2007
TELL SENATORS TO VOTE FOR S. 2205 THE DREAM ACT!!!
CALL THEM AGAIN THE NEXT DAY!!!!!
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2007
TELL SENATORS TO VOTE FOR S. 2205 THE DREAM ACT!!!
The DREAM Act will likely come up for a vote on the Senate floor this Wednesday.
IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR ALL DREAM ACT SUPPORTERS TO CALL YOUR SENATORS, send an e-mail message and fax them, do it all over again on Wednesday morning first thing.
SHUTDOWN THE SENATE SWITCHBOARD WITH YOUR CALLS!
CALL 202-224-3121
DON'T LET THE ANTI-DREAM CALLERS BEAT US THIS TIME!
Last week, Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) quietly re-introduced the DREAM Act as a new stand-alone bill, S. 2205. Most likely this Wednesday there will be a "cloture" vote on whether the DREAM Act can be debated and ultimately voted on. This will mark the first time that the DREAM Act has ever come to a clean vote on the Senate floor.
The provisions of S. 2205 are similar, though not identical, to S. 774, the version of the DREAM Act that was filed by the Senators Durbin, Hagel, and Lugar earlier this year. Like the earlier version, S. 2205 would provide a 6-year path to permanent residence and eventual citizenship for individuals brought to the U.S. more than 5 years ago as undocumented children if they graduate from high school and continue on to college or military service.
The cloture motion will require 60 votes to pass. If it fails, the DREAM Act will be pulled from the floor. If it passes, there will be more votes on the DREAM Act as well as on possible amendments. The outcome of these votes will determine the fate of the DREAM Act for this Congress.
THE FIRST STEP IS PASSAGE OF THE "CLOTURE" MOTION, MOST LIKELY ON WEDNESDAY. We recognize that this is not the first time this year that we have punched the alarm bell, but THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Word is already getting out about the vote on anti-immigrant websites, talk shows, and cable TV who are spreading their usual falsehoods, and there is little doubt that their angry and fearful base will respond.
OUR RESPONSE MUST BE UNPRECEDENTED!
If you care at all about the future of DREAM Act students who have grown up here, then you must make your calls today and tomorrow, then forward this message, and then get on the phone to make sure that everyone you know does likewise. There will not be another chance.
CALL BOTH OF YOUR SENATORS AND TELL THEM:
"PLEASE VOTE FOR THE DREAM ACT
SO THAT IMMIGRANT STUDENTS BROUGHT HERE AS CHILDREN
CAN REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL"
CALL THE SENATE SWITCHBOARD 202-224-3121
To send an e-mail message to your Senators please go to:
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/NILC/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=12129
What else you can do:
Forward this message to every listserv and everyone you know
Post it on blogs, MySpace, Facebook, or other on-line networking tools
Call in to C-SPAN or other radio or television shows where there is some hope of a sympathetic audience (not anti-immigrant propaganda sites)
DREAM ACT Coming Up
Congressional Quarterly TODAY – THE WEEK AHEAD
Oct. 18, 2007 – 8:49 p.m.
...it is unclear what legislation will round out next week’s floor schedule. The chamber could take up an immigration bill related to children (S 774), said Regan Lachapelle, a Reid spokeswoman.
Sponsored by Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., the bill would allow children of illegal immigrants who entered the United States before age 16 and lived here at least five years to gain conditional legal status. Under the bill, they could attain eventual citizenship if they attend college or enlist in the military for at least two years.
for complete article: http://public.cq.com/docs/cqt/news110-000002608374.html
Oct. 18, 2007 – 8:49 p.m.
...it is unclear what legislation will round out next week’s floor schedule. The chamber could take up an immigration bill related to children (S 774), said Regan Lachapelle, a Reid spokeswoman.
Sponsored by Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., the bill would allow children of illegal immigrants who entered the United States before age 16 and lived here at least five years to gain conditional legal status. Under the bill, they could attain eventual citizenship if they attend college or enlist in the military for at least two years.
for complete article: http://public.cq.com/docs/cqt/news110-000002608374.html
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Houston Chronicle on the DREAM ACT
Sept. 26, 2007, 10:33PM
Senate temporarily sidelines immigration legalization bill
Democrats vow to pass measure aiding 1 million youths
By MICHELLE MITTELSTADT
Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — The prospects for immediate Senate action on the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants, disappeared Wednesday amid Republican opposition.
But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., pledged that senators would vote on the the measure, which is strongly opposed by anti-illegal immigration groups, before the Senate finishes its work for the year in mid-November.
"All who care about this matter should know that we will move to proceed to this matter before we leave here," he said.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., had sought to attach the DREAM Act to the defense authorization bill. But Reid announced Wednesday night that Democrats were shelving the effort because of difficulties getting past legislative roadblocks.
"Unfortunately, some Republicans are opposed to this proposal and are unwilling to let us move forward on this bill," Reid said.
'Issue doesn't stop here'
Durbin and immigrant rights advocates were dismayed by the setback but vowed to find other means to pass the legislation, which they have sought since 2001.
"There is no question that this issue doesn't stop here," said Cecilia Muñoz, senior vice president of the National Council of La Raza. "The longer we wait, the more talented young people we close the door of opportunity to."
The bill — officially the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act — would allow illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. before the age of 16, and who have lived here at least five years, to receive conditional legal status if they have graduated from high school and have a clean record. After six years, they could become permanent legal residents if they serve in the U.S. military for at least two years or complete at least two years of college. As with most green card holders, they could apply for citizenship after five years.
The nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute estimates that slightly more than 1 million high school graduates and children still in class could gain legal status under the legislation.
60 votes needed
With conservatives being barraged with calls, faxes and e-mails from anti-illegal immigration groups that view the DREAM Act as amnesty, some Republicans who supported the measure in the past have been reluctant to do so now. Durbin needed 60 votes to surmount an expected filibuster. Some Senate Republicans, including Texans Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, objected to the measure being brought up on a defense bill.
"Putting extraneous things on this bill isn't helpful," Hutchison said.
Other Republicans aren't ready to revisit a debate that imploded in June when the Senate scuttled an overhaul endorsed by the White House that would have given most illegal immigrants a chance for legal status.
"People, I think, want to let the immigration thing cool off a bit before we jump back in," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican who helped derail the comprehensive immigration bill.
Josh Bernstein, federal policy director for the National Immigration Law Center, predicted DREAM Act supporters eventually will prevail.
"The politics is right and the commitment is there," Bernstein said. "We're not giving up."
michelle.mittelstadt@chron.com
for link to article click title to this post
Senate temporarily sidelines immigration legalization bill
Democrats vow to pass measure aiding 1 million youths
By MICHELLE MITTELSTADT
Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — The prospects for immediate Senate action on the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants, disappeared Wednesday amid Republican opposition.
But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., pledged that senators would vote on the the measure, which is strongly opposed by anti-illegal immigration groups, before the Senate finishes its work for the year in mid-November.
"All who care about this matter should know that we will move to proceed to this matter before we leave here," he said.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., had sought to attach the DREAM Act to the defense authorization bill. But Reid announced Wednesday night that Democrats were shelving the effort because of difficulties getting past legislative roadblocks.
"Unfortunately, some Republicans are opposed to this proposal and are unwilling to let us move forward on this bill," Reid said.
'Issue doesn't stop here'
Durbin and immigrant rights advocates were dismayed by the setback but vowed to find other means to pass the legislation, which they have sought since 2001.
"There is no question that this issue doesn't stop here," said Cecilia Muñoz, senior vice president of the National Council of La Raza. "The longer we wait, the more talented young people we close the door of opportunity to."
The bill — officially the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act — would allow illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. before the age of 16, and who have lived here at least five years, to receive conditional legal status if they have graduated from high school and have a clean record. After six years, they could become permanent legal residents if they serve in the U.S. military for at least two years or complete at least two years of college. As with most green card holders, they could apply for citizenship after five years.
The nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute estimates that slightly more than 1 million high school graduates and children still in class could gain legal status under the legislation.
60 votes needed
With conservatives being barraged with calls, faxes and e-mails from anti-illegal immigration groups that view the DREAM Act as amnesty, some Republicans who supported the measure in the past have been reluctant to do so now. Durbin needed 60 votes to surmount an expected filibuster. Some Senate Republicans, including Texans Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, objected to the measure being brought up on a defense bill.
"Putting extraneous things on this bill isn't helpful," Hutchison said.
Other Republicans aren't ready to revisit a debate that imploded in June when the Senate scuttled an overhaul endorsed by the White House that would have given most illegal immigrants a chance for legal status.
"People, I think, want to let the immigration thing cool off a bit before we jump back in," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican who helped derail the comprehensive immigration bill.
Josh Bernstein, federal policy director for the National Immigration Law Center, predicted DREAM Act supporters eventually will prevail.
"The politics is right and the commitment is there," Bernstein said. "We're not giving up."
michelle.mittelstadt@chron.com
for link to article click title to this post
From Albuquerque Journal - On the DREAM ACT
Albuquerque Journal
Written by Bruce Daniels -
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid vows to revisit illegal-alien students legislation.
It had become an under-the-radar cause celebre for both sides of the immigration debate, dominating talk shows and flooding senatorial offices with e-mails, phone calls and faxes from supporters and opponents alike.
But it appears that the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act -- the so-called DREAM Act -- is dead for now, but not for long, according to today's Washington Times.
The DREAM Act was attached by Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin, D-Ill., as an amendment to the 2008 Defense Authorization Act and would have given legal status to hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants, according to the Times report.
"We will move to proceed to this matter before we leave here," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who took the amendment off the table late Wednesday. "I'm going to do my utmost to do it by Nov. 16." The proposal was strongly opposed by some Republicans, like Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who objected to mixing the immigration issue with the defense bill and who vowed a filibuster to defeat the measure if the Democrats insisted on bringing it up, the Times reported.
Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., is among the co-sponsors of Durbin's amendment, and Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., hadn't publicly said how he would vote.
Republicans late Wednesday moved to cut off debate on H.R. 1585, the Defense Authorization Act, leaving Democrats with practically no options for inserting Durbin's amendment, the Times reported. The amendment would have given conditional legal status to illegal aliens who were brought to the United States before age 16, have been in the country at least five years and have graduated from high school or obtained an equivalency degree, according to a report in Wednesday's Houston Chronicle.
After six years, they could become permanent legal residents if they have served in the U.S. military for at least two years or complete at least two years of college, and after another five years could apply for U.S. citizenship, the Chronicle reported.
The nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute estimates that slightly more than 1 million high school graduates and children still in school could gain legal status under the legislation, the Chronicle said.
The DREAM Act had become the top priority for Hispanic and pro-immigration groups and drew equally strong opposition from those who want to crack down on illegal immigration, according to the Times report. Anti-illegal immigration activists -- fearful that the bill is a backdoor way of granting amnesty to thousand, if not millions of illegal immigrants -- have called it the "Nightmare Act."
Supporters, who have sought passage of the legislation since 2001, have said that passage of the amendment would remove thousands of young people from legal limbo and that it is unfair to punish children for the illegal actions of their parents.
Durbin himself signaled his fading hopes for the amendment earlier this week, telling the Houston Chronicle he had modified the original bill in hopes of meeting Republican objections, but said he didn't think it was enough.
Durbin tried to win extra support by altering the bill to cap eligibility to those younger than 30 and by eliminating a mandate that states offer in-state tuition to those who qualified for legal status, according to today's Washington Times report.
Written by Bruce Daniels -
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid vows to revisit illegal-alien students legislation.
It had become an under-the-radar cause celebre for both sides of the immigration debate, dominating talk shows and flooding senatorial offices with e-mails, phone calls and faxes from supporters and opponents alike.
But it appears that the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act -- the so-called DREAM Act -- is dead for now, but not for long, according to today's Washington Times.
The DREAM Act was attached by Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin, D-Ill., as an amendment to the 2008 Defense Authorization Act and would have given legal status to hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants, according to the Times report.
"We will move to proceed to this matter before we leave here," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who took the amendment off the table late Wednesday. "I'm going to do my utmost to do it by Nov. 16." The proposal was strongly opposed by some Republicans, like Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who objected to mixing the immigration issue with the defense bill and who vowed a filibuster to defeat the measure if the Democrats insisted on bringing it up, the Times reported.
Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., is among the co-sponsors of Durbin's amendment, and Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., hadn't publicly said how he would vote.
Republicans late Wednesday moved to cut off debate on H.R. 1585, the Defense Authorization Act, leaving Democrats with practically no options for inserting Durbin's amendment, the Times reported. The amendment would have given conditional legal status to illegal aliens who were brought to the United States before age 16, have been in the country at least five years and have graduated from high school or obtained an equivalency degree, according to a report in Wednesday's Houston Chronicle.
After six years, they could become permanent legal residents if they have served in the U.S. military for at least two years or complete at least two years of college, and after another five years could apply for U.S. citizenship, the Chronicle reported.
The nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute estimates that slightly more than 1 million high school graduates and children still in school could gain legal status under the legislation, the Chronicle said.
The DREAM Act had become the top priority for Hispanic and pro-immigration groups and drew equally strong opposition from those who want to crack down on illegal immigration, according to the Times report. Anti-illegal immigration activists -- fearful that the bill is a backdoor way of granting amnesty to thousand, if not millions of illegal immigrants -- have called it the "Nightmare Act."
Supporters, who have sought passage of the legislation since 2001, have said that passage of the amendment would remove thousands of young people from legal limbo and that it is unfair to punish children for the illegal actions of their parents.
Durbin himself signaled his fading hopes for the amendment earlier this week, telling the Houston Chronicle he had modified the original bill in hopes of meeting Republican objections, but said he didn't think it was enough.
Durbin tried to win extra support by altering the bill to cap eligibility to those younger than 30 and by eliminating a mandate that states offer in-state tuition to those who qualified for legal status, according to today's Washington Times report.
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