The fate of the DREAM Act in the Senate hinges on seven Republican senators, according to a senior White House official.
In a conference call with reporters this morning, Cecilia Munoz, White House director of intergovernmental affairs, said, “It looks very much like the outcome [of the Senate DREAM Act vote] is going to depend on whether we have that level of Republican support,” a reference to the GOP senators who had backed the measure in 2007. Munoz added that the White House was working very hard “to make sure this is a positive vote.”
Sen. Bob Bennett (R., Utah) has publicly stated he will support the DREAM Act again, telling The Hill, “If Harry Reid brings it to the floor as a standalone bill, I will vote for it.”
Spokespersons for Sens. Orrin Hatch (R., Utah), a former sponsor of the bill, and Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R., Texas) indicated to NRO in November that neither senator would be supporting the legislation.
Sen. Richard Lugar (R., Indiana), formerly a co-sponsor, is now undecided. Sens. Sam Brownback (R., Kansas), Susan Collins (R., Maine), and Olympia Snowe (R., Maine), all of whom backed the legislation in 2007, have not announced their votes yet. There is also speculation that Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska) may back the bill this year, although she voted against it in 2007.
Seven current Senate Democrats did not support the DREAM Act in 2007, making gaining GOP votes crucial to succeed in passing the measure. Majority senate leader Harry Reid (D., Nevada) filed cloture on the bill yesterday, meaning the Senate could vote on the act as soon as Wednesday. The House may vote as early as Wednesday morning, reports The Hill.
kill this bill
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe list of GOP members voting for this thing, will make up the bulk of the Tea Party target list for 2012.
Make our day, Senators.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI almost forgot Brownback was still in the Senate. That guy has been real quiet lately.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseCount on Murkowski to vote yes. After the campaign she ran against Joe Miller this last election she knows she has has no need to even pretend she is a conservative like she did before.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI have to wonder, Just how many times can a bill be brought up before the Senate before it cant come up again.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI mean since 2000, the Dream Act has been voted on SIX TIMES and this will make Seven. But even if people vote on it, with FIVE different versions of the dream act floating around and NONE having going through the proper committees or anything, how does a congress man or woman know what they are really voting for??
This thing must be defeated. Like all amnesty provisions is it designed to fail. They will be asking the people who have to adjudicate these millions of applications to perform the impossible.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt appears that Bennett is reminding us, on his exit, why we in Utah kicked him out to begin with.
Bennett hesitated to endorse either of his victors after the state convention last spring, but eventually endorsed establishment man/Bush clone Tim Bridgewater in the primary. However, I don't think he ever formally endorsed the primary's victor, Mike Lee. Then Bennett's son, Jim, worked on the campaign of Lee's Democratic opponent, Sam Granato.
The Bennett dynasty is dead, and good riddance.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseA Dream Act for some, a nightmare for all of us...
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Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThat a lame duck senator would vote for such a bill, clearly against the wishes of the majority of his constituents, is outrageous. Mr. Bennett should be tarred and feathered for such outrageous conduct, as should all members of a lame duck congress passing such monumental bills. Where is the outrage? This is usurpation of the intent of the constitutional process. How dare they!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIllegalopoly: Children of illegal immigrants land on Free Parking, while those who are awaiting legal immigration remain in Go to Jail.
Teaparty, gear up for 2012.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI HAVE A FEELING THAT THIS BILL WILL PASS AND IF IT DOES, GOOD FOR THE DEMS CUZ THEY WILL HAVE 100% SUPPORT OF THE LATINO VOTES IN 2012. WHAT A WELL THOUGHT PLAN. IN ANY CASE, I HOPE IT DOES PASS, FOR THE SAKE OF MY FRIENDS WHO ALL HAVE MASTER AND PHD DEGREES. :)
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