Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

WASHINGTON - Sen. Dean Heller said Wednesday he is considering support for an immigration plan that would offer some form of relief to young people brought into the country illegally as children.

Heller, R-Nev., said he has spoken with Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and is open to his legislation being advertised as an alternative to the Democrat-sponsored DREAM Act.

"I am very interested in what his proposals are because I believe there are answers to this issue," Heller said during an interview. "I am interested for some kind of a compromise that moves this ball forward. I am hoping that whatever Rubio does propose is something I can support."

Heller has opposed the DREAM Act, saying it amounts to "amnesty" by offering a path to citizenship to students and young people brought into the United States as children if they pursue higher education or join the military.

The Nevadan said Rubio has been coy about sharing details even with fellow Republicans. Heller said he could not say whether whatever Rubio produces may also amount to an "amnesty" that he might reject.

"It depends on what it says," Heller said. "I am open to see what he is doing. I am not saying I support whatever he is doing but I am open to discussions on what he is trying to achieve."

Heller support for what some call "DREAM Act Lite" could give him something to show the Hispanic community in Nevada that he is trying to court as he seeks election this fall.

Many in the community, however, prefer the full DREAM Act and are viewing Rubio warily. But with Congress at an impasse over immigration reform, the Florida senator has gained attention for moving forward with a new approach.

White House officials and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada have challenged Rubio to put his plan on paper.

"In anything we do in life, the devil is in the details. So let's see what Marco's going to come up with," Reid said in an interview with the Spanish-language Univision network that aired Sunday.

Reid said he would not support a proposal that did not include a path to citizenship.

In the interview, Heller also said he does not plan to bring up the issue of gay marriage in this year's Senate race even though he and Rep. Shelley Berkley, his Democratic challenger, clearly have opposing views.

Berkley last week embraced President Barack Obama's announcement that he believes same-sex marriages should be legalized.

"I have been a longtime supporter of marriage equality for all Americans and am glad President Obama has embraced this civil right," Berkley said.

Heller, on the other hand, said last week he believed "marriage is between one man and one woman and (I) would not support changing that."

Nevadans in 2000 and 2002 voted by majorities of almost 70 percent to add a clause to the state constitution that "only a marriage between a male and female person shall be recognized and given effect in this state."

Gay rights advocates say they believe the mood of the electorate has tempered over the past decade although there have been no recent measures of voter sentiment.

Either way, Heller said he is not touching gay marriage.

"I don't want it to be the issue in the campaign," he said. "I truly don't want this to be the issue. I want to talk about jobs, the economy, foreclosures. I want to talk about energy prices.

"Those are the issues of this campaign. I believe all the rest of the stuff is just a diversion from the issues of the day and I am not going to get stuck on those things."

http://www.lvrj.com/news/heller-says...5.html?ref=675

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Very nice :)

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Cool. :- ) Eres chingon.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Ya se armo wey

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

If the 55 senators that voted in 2010 vote yay on this then it'll be that much easier for it to pass the Senate. I can see Rubio, McCain, Hutchison and Kyl (who's working on their own version) and also Lugar all voting for this. That's 60 votes right there folks.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

umm, the composition of the senate has changed since 2010....although, I believe that it will still pass with some Republican support.

Focus on the House, we face an uphill battle there.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

No all 55 senators who voted yay in 2010 is here now. I don't remember how many, but some of them lost their reelection in 2010.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Senate is pretty much a done deal to pass it seems like. Let's concentrate on House. Do they want their own bill or take up senate's?

I would like to see a GOP draft a DA bill in the House.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

It's probably a good idea to wait until Rubio's so-called "Dream Act" is released before getting overly excited about imaginary votes for the Dream Act in the House and Senate. Remember folks, we're dealing with politicians here, keep in mind that they tell a lot of lies and have perfected the art of using people....

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

I trust Rubio and Durbin.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Stole the words out of my mouth. IF RUBIO introduces his bill in June, I am dead sure it will pass in the Senate. We will have to gear up for a major phone campaign to Boehner and Co. Gutierrez will play a crucial role. Hope Durbin can seal the deal in the Senate and finalize a compromise with the great one from Florida..as Smooth would say..ShYt is ToO GoOd tO be True..#CAUTIOUSOPTIMISM:mrgreen:

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

There you go :mrgreen:

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

No Debbie Downers After This Post.. Go Take Your Shit Attitude Somewhere Else.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

People need to learn to balance optimism with reality; irrational optimism when dealing with a Bill like the Dream Act is not a good idea.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Agreed, cautious optimism is the best path to go.

Optimistic- The bill looks as if it can easily pass the senate.

Reality- The bill will need a ton of discussions, compromises, and an overall show of bipartisanship to pass the polarized and politicized house. And due to this will most likely be more limited then previous editions of the bill.

Let's be happy the bill is gaining traction, and get ready in the coming days and weeks when the bill is released to blitz out for it. Let's get this mates.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Well said.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Very true. The strange thing is that there still isn't a physical Bill that we can read and subsequently determine if it's something that we can support in the first place or if it turns out to be a drastically and unfairly different Bill from the Dream Act 2010. Sorry folks, but I have to keep it real!

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

He said it will be released in June. So relax, when June comes then we can start complaining.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

True, fair enough...I'm just anxious about this Bill because of the secrecy behind it, that makes me very uneasy about Rubio's motives. Maybe I'm overthinking it....

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Who will draft a House bill? Or will House take up Senate's?

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Give me a minute..... I have to go dust off my crystal ball.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

What are your predictions on the House?

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Guys,

I have been thinking about something the last couple of days. If we like the Rubio DA, perhaps one of us could write a short essay making a humanitarian plea that we could send to every member of the house via twitter.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

We should just finalize it now since some of us doubtless will go for it(those who benefit) and I think even if the bill is strict that we should support it, just because those who could qualify it deserve the shot regardless of the politics. If you like the bill then Smooth, I nominate you. You are one of our more passionate members on this forum and your debate style and arguments merit you for the choice, I could barely think of a batter candidate.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Hey thanks. But, I feel like I lack the emotional touch. I feel like we need someone who knows how to be really "mooshy" (for lack of better words). I nominate you big dude. You are very eloquent and an intellectual beast.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Not to be pessimistic, i need this bill just as much as the next dreamer but ive had a pretty sick thought recently. The House which i see as our problem this time around might just do whatsoever it can to blast this bill to all hell because lets face it the Tea Party controls it not the GOP or the DEM and nothing gets them off more then knowing that main stream educated America is on the opposite side of the issue. Our only hope will be that the GOP and DEM combine for a fight against the Tea Party Vote in the house. (Keep in mind not everyone in the DEM party will vote for this either so were gonna need every vote from every base and it needs to be articulated by both majority parties as a humanitarian relief bill because the Tea Party once again will crucify anyone who votes for an Un-American bill at this time or any time EVER.)

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

I nominate Immigration Truth as well. Go for it. Make us proud.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Yup. I can't picture myself writing it.

"Dear hijos de su pinche madre,

Que pecs? . . . "

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Sounds good.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

I agree then, as long a it's cool with everybody else, when this bill comes out I'll go bat for it like crazy. As long as it's not insanity on paper (age limit under 5, EWIs banned, and I doubt Rubio would be that crazy) I find nothing wrong in trying to write something that if it could touch at least just one congressmen would just warm my heart. I'll also try sending it to all types of newspapers throughout America and lobbying groups, and even that numbers usa guy who harassed me on the plane and gave me his e-mail. I would love seeing his face as he read it. LOL.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Marco Rubio = The Golden One, The Chosen One, The Great One..I know DA User is going to super like this post.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Alright man. Fair. And, sounds good. And, I will help you send it out. :- )

Yeah man. I will not support something that would legalize those, for example, those who came here under the age of 7 but leaves out those from 7 to 16 because some people I talk to on here would be screwed. That's fucked up. But, I would pressure for Rubio and the rest of the GOP to fix the age range if it is TOO limited.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

I'm pretty sure the minimum age of entry will be between 12 and 15. They're not going to put it very low. Don't worry. Everybody will hopefully qualify. Durbin and Pacheco know what the deal is :p

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

I'm pretty sure Democratic leaders will make sure it stays at 15( the dreamer Congressman Guttierez is advocating for came here when he was 14), the entry age has never been changed even though there have been different versions since it was introduced in 2001. Anyone under the age of 16 is considered a child in immigration law. Like i said, Rubio can't make it too strict otherwise it will just give Harry Reid more grounds to just oppose it. He just needs to release the details of his bill already!

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Agreed.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

alright he wants all 4 years, no problem every military contract is 4 years long. Even though Senator Durbin just has 2 years as the minimum amount of time needed.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

Ladies and Gents, please beware..the great senior senator from Alabama who rules with an iron first when it comes to Immigration is definitely preparing few amendments to limit this bill or he might even be gathering his group for another filibuster attempt!

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

I went to school with Dean Heller's son. I should call him up and tell him "Ey puto boy no seas culero y dile a tu jefe que pase el DREAM act" lol

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

GET A ROOM!:mrgreen: I agree, I-truth is a beast. Ianus is also a very eloquent writer so maybe the two of you can write it.

Re: Heller says he's open to DREAM Act alternative
 

:o No mames.



Sincerely,
A ti que te valga madre