Gutierrez: Senate filibuster will likely kill DREAM Act legislation

Ianus · Ianus

It looks like Rep. Gutierrez believes a filibuster is likely.

Quote:

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.

xAmbition · xAmbition

I woke up at 5am and now i cant sleep because DA has been on my mind ever since

Lets stick together no matter what happens!

Nic89 · Nic89

Please take this offf for right now and lets just wait few more hours and stop being negetive.

mdhfinsc · mdhfinsc

No matter the outcome, We have to prepare our minds. If DA fails today, its not the end. Our future might be on hold, but our lives will continue just like it has the last couple of years.

I have many friends that are undocumented, and they woudn't qualify for DA, so I feel it's like unfair, but at the same time, it's my future. So Whatever happens today, it will be God's will.

We really need CIR, So it will include all of us.

SuperGSPorty · SuperGSPorty

Senate now in session

SuperGSPorty · SuperGSPorty

Keeep calling

dexcess · dexcess

Honestly, if anybody knows what the outcomes will be, it's probably him. So meh. I feel like jumping off an airplane right now.

cooltalker · cooltalker

The Dream Act just failed. We couln't get the 60 votes.
55 ayes, 41 nays, and 4 no votes.

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Gutierrez: Senate filibuster will likely kill DREAM Act legislation