Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) appears on 'This Week' with George Stephanopoulos to discuss immigration reform in Washington, June 24, 2007. (Lauren Victoria Burke/Handout/Reuters)
Posted on 06/26/2007 9:57:30 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - The Senate voted Tuesday to jump-start a stalled immigration measure to legalize millions of unlawful immigrants.
President Bush said the bill offered a "historic opportunity for Congress to act," and appeared optimistic about its passage by week's end.
The pivotal test-vote was 64-35 to revive the divisive legislation. It still faces formidable obstacles in the Senate, including bitter opposition by GOP conservatives and attempts by some waverers in both parties to revise its key elements.
Supporters needed 60 votes to scale procedural hurdles and return to the bill. A similar test-vote earlier this month found just 45 supporters, only seven of them Republicans.
Tuesday's outcome was far from conclusive, however. The measure still must overcome another make-or-break vote as early as Thursday that will also require the backing of 60 senators, and there is no guarantee that it will ultimately attract even the simple majority it needs to pass.
The Senate was preparing to begin voting as early as Tuesday afternoon on some two dozen amendments that have the potential to either sap its support or draw new backers.
Republicans and Democrats alike are deeply conflicted over the measure, which also creates a temporary worker program, strengthens border security and institutes a new system for weeding out illegal immigrants from workplaces.
This is a breaking news update. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted Tuesday to jump-start a stalled immigration measure to legalize millions of unlawful immigrants.
President Bush said the bill offered a "historic opportunity for Congress to act," and appeared optimistic about its passage by week's end.
The pivotal test-vote was 64-35 to revive the divisive legislation. It still faces formidable obstacles in the Senate, including bitter opposition by GOP conservatives and attempts by some waverers in both parties to revise its key elements.
Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) appears on 'This Week' with George Stephanopoulos to discuss immigration reform in Washington, June 24, 2007. (Lauren Victoria Burke/Handout/Reuters)
President Bush speaks about immigration reform during a briefing in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House complex in Washington, June 26, 2007. (Larry Downing/Reuters)
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff speaks about immigration reform during a briefing in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House complex in Washington June 26, 2007. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES)
Ever.
L
Against the will of the people.
Based on this, the important cloture vote (60) will come after action on the amendments. That could be the biggest test.
@#$@%^%$#$%^$#%^^ senators!
Based on this, the important cloture vote (60) will come after action on the amendments. That could be the biggest test.
Bush told the truth! He called his bill “amnesty.” Oops! Tony Snow to the rescue, “The President misspoke.”
These traitors need to hear from us that their days in DC are drawing short. The American people will send them packing; every last one of them that support this bill that destroys America as we know it. I urge the American people to not send any of them one single peso for their re-election and to “not” volunteer to work on their campaigns. IMO, we have “no” representation in DC. They’ve turned their backs on the “American” people. Their in-your-face arrogance cannot be tolerated. They were elected to represent the American people not their own power-hungry greed.
SEND THEM PACKING. NO CAMPAIGN DONATIONS; NO CAMPAIGN WORKERS. THEY’RE TOAST!
This WAS the cloture vote. The next vote will only take 51 votes for passage. If you waited for the ‘second’ cloture vote, you’ve waited too long.
This bill will pass the Senate, and I’m changing my voter registration to Independent.
1) Shread your GOP card
2) Plan on spending time at the border, we all need to become Minute Men....
Prediction...it dies in the House
ping
The fuse has been lit.
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