Senate hits snag on amendment agreement to immigration reform bill

Ianus · 06-12-2013, 04:35 PM

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-actio...on-reform-bill

Quote:

The Senate failed to reach an agreement on amendments to the comprehensive immigration reform bill Wednesday because Republicans didn’t want to use a 60-vote threshold.

“This is a very provocative act,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) asked for unanimous consent to an agreement to vote on five amendments if they were held to a 60-vote threshold. Two of the amendments were from Democrats and three were from Republicans.

“It’s amazing to me that the Majority Leader has touted this as an open process … but on the first day, they want to hold our amendments to 60-votes," Grassley said. "Who’s obstructing now?”

Reid said he was just following the lead of Republicans, who have repeatedly blocked legislation during the 113th Congress, requiring 60-vote thresholds to advance bills.

“How many times have we heard the Republican Leader [Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)] say 60 votes is how things should get done in the Senate,” Reid said. “The McConnell rule is 60 votes on everything.”

Grassley said Reid’s request proves GOP complaints that supporters of the Gang of Eight’s bill really don’t want any changes made.

“It looks like the fix is in, and the bill will have to pass as is,” Grassley said.

On Tuesday, the Senate voted 84-15 to proceed to debating the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. The Senate will continue to work on the bill throughout June, although if progress isn’t made on the amendment process, it could take longer.

The bipartisan group of eight senators, known as the Gang of Eight, introduced S. 744, which would create a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country, toughen border security, create a guest worker program and boost high-skilled immigration.

Some Republicans have complained that the legislation would provide amnesty over 10-13 years for the nearly 11 million residents in the U.S. illegally before strengthening border enforcement.

Malign0n · 06-12-2013, 05:02 PM

Reid has every reason to put a 60 vote requirement for amendments, just as republicans were obstructionistic with their filibustering.

bigdreamer2010 · 06-12-2013, 05:06 PM

Cynically funny.

Anyway good to see that the Senate "is working its will on Immigration".

dado123 · 06-12-2013, 05:19 PM

jajajaja, pay back is a bitch:
QT
” Reid said. “The McConnell rule is 60 votes on everything.”
UNQT

2Face · 06-12-2013, 05:40 PM

Good Lord Grassley is such a crybaby!!

DA User · 06-12-2013, 07:38 PM

We should get 75 yays.

CIR_DREAM2009 · 06-12-2013, 09:09 PM

The title scared me for a minute. I thought it was something serious. What a misleading title!

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Senate hits snag on amendment agreement to immigration reform bill