dreams dashed?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2...d-students.php

Senators are eyeing a vote on the DREAM Act this year since it's possible that Republicans like Sen. Orrin Hatch (who sponsored the bill several years ago) might come on board. Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Netroots Nation attendees Saturday she won't support splitting off the DREAM Act for a separate vote for fear it would make a comprehensive plan harder to achieve later. A few hours later Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told the same crowd he doesn't want to raise false hopes by putting forward the measure if the votes aren't there.

"I am happy to do the DREAM Act but I'm not going to do the DREAM Act unless I have 60," Reid said. "I'm not going to disappoint thousands and thousands [by bringing it up] unless I can win."

Sen. Chuck Schumer, who leads the immigration subcommittee, splashed more cold water this afternoon, telling reporters, "We don't have 60 votes on either comprehensive or the DREAM Act at this point."

But today Reid told reporters that he still aims to push immigration this fall and "see if we can do it" in a comprehensive fashion. If not, Reid said, "We'll take a real strong look at the DREAM act."

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) is the sponsor of the current plan, and Durbin aides are telling reporters that splitting it off is under consideration. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Hatch (R-UT) are among several Republicans who have supported the measure.

But Pelosi said there's a debate on how Democrats move forward on the DREAM Act.

"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus doesn't want us to take one piece, a piece that might be appealing, and leaving the undocumented behind," Pelosi said at Netroots. She said that's her sentiment. "If we take off rosier pieces of it, the thought is that it would diminish the prospect for comprehensive immigration reform."


http://progressillinois.com/quick-hi...ng-dream-alive

Although comprehensive immigration reform is shelved for the time being, new reports today suggest there is still an outside chance that Congress will take up the DREAM Act this year. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told TPM's Christina Bellantoni today that he might introduce the legislation -- which would provide 2.1 million immigrant youth with an avenue toward citizenship if they enroll in college or the military -- as a standalone bill this fall if there aren't enough votes for a broader package to defeat a Republican filibuster. Aides to Illinois' own Sen. Dick Durbin, who wrote the bill, told The Atlantic they are open to that idea. Still, Democrats remain divided on that political strategy.

Oh, what the eff! Why are they messing around with us like this? Ugh, I freaking hate politicians. Nancy Pelosi, you are the poison to everyone's hopes!

Schumer should just shut the hell up, we all know he will say anything to prevent dream from moving forward.

This is just fucking craziness, it's something different every single hour. First it's Harry Reid stepping up effort for DREAM, then Senator Feinstein is going to fight for DREAM as a standalone now this, Chuck Schumer telling reporters, "We don't have 60 votes on either comprehensive or the DREAM Act at this point." This all happened today.

Reid is still hesitant about moving DREAM forward; he says that there's still hope for CIR during lameduck session. I don't think they really want to move it forward, but instead do it as part of CIR. I mean Reid can still attach it to the defense spending bill, but has not done so yet--I guess due to pressure from other congresspersons.

I am very confused too.

At this point they should just ditch the sinking ship, being the CIR, and just push for the DA as a standalone.

Don't believe Schumer, he has an affair with CIR. He will protect it untill the end. He has to vote for DREAM thought lol

First good news now bad news and the roller coaster continues.

We need to get those 6 votes soon!!...and see if Reid keeps his word.