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Senate’s Gang of Eight to announce immigration deal

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/0...eal-89832.html

Quote:

The Senate’s immigration Gang of Eight plans to announce a deal within a week but a committee markup is not expected until at least the week of May 6, providing a long period for debate and changes, Senate aides said Tuesday.

Aides said the legislative proposal could be released as soon as Thursday, but is more likely to be ready early next week. The schedule outlined by the aides is meant to satisfy Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has said repeatedly that he wants a full debate and amendment process, to maximize the chances that the final vote is an overwhelming majority.

A Senate aide told POLITICO: “The senators had a good discussion with [Judiciary Committee] Chairman [Patrick] Leahy this afternoon. We are optimistic that we will be able to introduce legislation soon. Chairman Leahy has agreed to hold a hearing as soon as possible after the legislation is introduced, and has promised to have unlimited debate and amendments during the committee markup.

“Assuming Republican members push for as much time as possible, the committee debate will last through the next recess, giving plenty of time for public debate and review,” the aide added.

The Senate will return May 6 after a break for the last week of April.

Leahy and the Gang of Eight decided to hold a hearing next Wednesday on the bill, according to two Senate aides. The timing of the hearing is meant to serve as a backstop, forcing the senators to release the bill language by then.

The senators are aiming to make an announcement Thursday, but because they want to release an actual bill and are waiting for legislative language from the Senate Office of Legislative Counsel, they may have to push the release to next week, Senate aides said.