Happy holidays for everyone except immigrants: Senate passes START

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/...pt=T1&iref=BN1

Although this is not specifically DREAM related, it just goes to show that the GOP will come to the negotiating table on all subjects EXCEPT for immigration reform.

As I noted earlier, this marks another victory for so-called bipartisan efforts, even for bills that provide relief for groups the GOP traditionally hate (e.g. LGBTs). So now, the Senate has agreed to DADT, START, tax cuts, and there is news that there has been positive movement on the 9/11 bill.

Only DREAM stands conspicuously on the outside. That says a lot

Oh, no. No, no, no, no. Not only this bill, but also the 9/11 responder's Health bill passed the Senate. Go back and read the headlines from yesterday:

"Negotiations continue in the Senate for 9/11 bill and START treaty"

The Democrats never negotiated DREAM Act. We were pawned.

Yes, the 9/11 bill also passed today.

The point here is that the worst of the GOP's vitriol is reserved for immigrants. The Democrats definitely conceded too much, but at least some Republicans were willing to break rank to vote on traditionally Democratic initiatives except immigration reform.

At the same time, lets not take anything away from the beneficiaries of these good bills. We are standing with the members of the LGBT community and we applaud their victory. Also, great to see that the 9/11 responders bill has passed. What else more does Congress have to do? The economy? Surely border security has to be next and this should pave the way for legalization for undocumented immigrants who make up a vital portion of our economy.

Not to be a grinch, but the Dems have it coming after the Reps are done re-districting (if such a word exists; don't care enough to look it as I obviously cannot vote) the electoral college, I tell you.

I also have to say that I am grateful that I will get to spend Christmas with my boyfriend and family; that I'm not in detention; and that I am in relatively good health.

To be fair, how much more "negotiating" do you think couldve happened with DA? I mean, you saw what they did to the bill. And even then we only got 3 GOP votes (votes that we wouldve had with original bill anyway). They're simply not interested in immigration. The 9/11 First Responders bill and DADT passing really did put a smile on my face. They don't effect me at all, but they were the right thing to do. There is ALOT we can blame the Democrats for, but lacking GOP votes isn't one of them. The GOP had their minds set from the time they won the 41st seat of what they were/weren't going to do. Giving Obama a victory with immigration (read: Latinos) wasn't one of them.

That being said, all of this wouldve been a non-issue had they passed DA/CIR in the first year like Obama promised. That IS one of the things we can blame them for.

Either way, happy Christmas DREAMers.

I disagree completely. All these controversial bills passing with bipartisan support makes one thing pretty clear: The Dream Act was negotiated on, and it was agreed upon by both parties that, out of all the bills that were going to be brought up, it made the most sense to pick the Dream Act as the bill to sink

It makes everyone look good. Reps keep their tough stance on immigration, Democrats can say that they tried their best, and if someone really complains they can just point to all of the other bills they managed to pass, and ultimately we cannot vote so our opinion is meaningless.

Oh, definitely. It's great to see those bills pass. I was sick to my stomach when the GOP originally voted no on the 9/11 -- I mean, I thought they were the party of patriotism. And the DADT repeal was long overdue.

We know the GOP can have a soft spot for even the people they hate; unless of course they are DREAMers.

Happy holidays fellas. =(

Only an American would be heart broken knowing their days here could be numbered.

Wow! This sucks that they left us out but on the other hand it's good. MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU GUYS!