Posted on 12/18/2010 5:36:11 AM PST by Second Amendment First
With the Senate poised to vote Saturday on legislation offering illegal immigrant students a chance to remain in the country lawfully, one of Capitol Hill's leading advocates for the DREAM Act doesn't like its chances.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) said Friday that, while supporters have picked up "a few Republicans" in the Senate, a GOP filibuster will likely sink the bill.
"It would pass if we would just let democracy work," Gutierrez said, indicating the proposal will win support from a majority of senators, but not the 60 members required to defeat a filibuster.
The Illinois Democrat also slammed Senate Republicans for what he considers their over-reliance on procedural hurdles to kill even minor Democratic initiatives.
"I thought the filibuster was for, like, going to war — not for everything," Gutierrez said.
House lawmakers passed the DREAM Act last week, but the proposal faces a much tougher road in the Senate, where even past supporters of the bill have jumped ship this year.
Of the seven Republicans to vote in favor of a similar measure in 2007, only two — Sens. Richard Lugar (Ind.) and Robert Bennett (Utah) — have committed to supporting it this time around. A number of centrist Democrats have also announced their opposition to the bill, including Sens. Ben Nelson (Neb.), who voted for the 2007 measure, and Jon Tester (Mont.).
A number of lawmakers, including Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), remained undecided.
Sponsored by Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the nine-year-old DREAM Act would create a pathway to permanent residency — and, eventually, citizenship — for illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, have the equivalent of a high school degree, and enter college or the military.
Supporters argue it offers motivated children the opportunity to achieve their potential, while critics maintain it would reward lawbreakers and steal jobs from U.S. citizens.
The Senate is expected to vote on the measure Saturday morning.
Just let them get a foot in the door and you ahve a pathway to total socialist control.
This is a republic, not a democracy. The dims just wish it were. They continue to ignore the 11-2 election.
What part of “illegal” don’t they understand?
“I thought the filibuster was for, like, going to war — not for everything,”
This is WAR..Just be thankful you are not eating bullets!! They just don’t get it, do they??
KILL THESE CRAP BILLS....ALL OF THEM!!
Democracy has been working when it comes to all these amnesty schemes. American citizens have opposed all of them loudly and non-stop since W Bush started trying to force them on us during his second term. And the vote this past election day was democracy working, and part of that was further protest of all these amnesty schemes.
It's great to see Gutierrez so pessimistic and let's hope it proves to have been 100% justified. If we can get past this Dream Act amnesty scheme, I don't think the new House or Senate will be passing any more for the next couple of years.
Problem is, it's not a democracy- it's a constitutional republic with democratically elected representatives.
WTF is a "high school degree"? The last time I looked at my HS certification it said diploma. Degrees are from Colleges. (some of which probably should be renamed as propoganda agencies)
Also kill the DADT and START!
The filibuster is democracy in action, silly man.
"I thought the filibuster was for, like, going to war — not for everything," Gutierrez said.
You thought wrong, Mr. Gutierrez. You might consider going to Venezuela and seeing the result of what you believe is democracy. Rule by Decree is surely more to your liking.
Side note: Some Senators are working behind the scenes (Chuck Schumer, for one) to use their majority power to get rid of the filibuster. They're a team that's losing so they want to change the rules and move the goalposts to turn them into "winners".
As if the dimwits didn't use every dirty trick in the book when Bush had a majority in the house and senate.
Yes, ALL of them. Some of these are a diversion. They must STOP the START Threaty, DADT, DREAM, Making Hawaiians an Indian Tribe, outlawing food supplements and school bake sales, etc. SHUT IT DOWN!
It had better be killed. I will personally buy a drink for anyone that filibusters this to death.
AMEN!! TODAY id D-DAY!!
“I thought the filibuster was for, like, going to war — not for everything,” Gutierrez said.
...I mean, like, this melting pot is like in need of more diversity. I mean set my people free, like two chicken enchilada’s in every pot. I mean why are the white folks keeping my people down?
ALso, like why isn’t every radio station on the AM dial Spanish only? I mean I can hardly find more than 10 Spanish only stations in Chocolate Town. What do the blacks have against my people.
Like, we just can’t get a break....
“I thought the filibuster was for, like, going to war — not for everything,” Gutierrez said.
You dumble aholes were all for it when you were filibustering W’s bills and holding his judicial nominees. It was like “for everything” then.
I hope Schumer fails.
This is war—and a broad-daylight invasion.
DREAM = Dopers Resisting Everything AMerican!
I know I must be overlooking something simple, but I don't see how they can take up anything else as long as they can't shut off debate on this measure.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.