It looks like we have a list of Senators to work on towards reform.
Don't be hubristic concerning the Senate bill when it reaches the Senate floor.The vote can still go either way within the 2 months.
Quote:
“Senate immigration negotiators are targeting as many as two dozen Republicans [to help build] a show-of-force majority — which they believe may be the only way a reform bill will have the momentum to force the House to act. Reform proponents are looking for votes far beyond the usual moderate suspects to senators in conservative bastions such as Utah, Georgia and Wyoming. [Some] senators landed on the list because they’re retiring, represent agricultural states, [or are] anxious to get the issue behind the party … Senators … insist the goal of 70-plus votes laid out last month by Gang of Eight leaders Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is more than just attainable under the right circumstances — it’s imperative. … [Sen. Marco] Rubio is pressing the Judiciary Committee, which will take up the bill this week, to strengthen the border security requirements. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) may address concerns about the Boston bombings with an amendment mandating broader background checks for so-called high-risk immigrants. …
“Undecided Republicans said they’re waiting to see if the Judiciary Committee can amend the bill to their liking. But the changes they’re seeking are likely to alienate Democrats. If things don’t into fall into place just right, … even 60 votes would be a struggle. But if they do, reform proponents see a scenario in which Republicans move en masse behind the legislation. And that means red-state Democrats such as Jon Tester of Montana, Mary Landreiu of Louisiana, Mark Begich of Alaska and Mark Pryor of Arkansas could follow. … The Republican senators who appear most likely to support the bill include [Susan] Collins [of Maine], [Lisa] Murkowski of Alaska, Dean Heller of Nevada, Mark Kirk of Illinois, Rob Portman of Ohio and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire. At the lower end of the first tier are senators like Orrin Hatch of Utah, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Bob Corker of Tennessee.
“Alfonso Aguilar, a Republican immigration strategist, said the first tier should also include North Dakota’s John Hoeven and Nebraska’s Mike Johanns, who both expressed interest to him in fixing the agriculture visa program. Plus … Johanns isn’t seeking reelection. The second tier of senators, who are less likely to back the bill but could be swayed, includes John Barrasso of Wyoming, John Thune of South Dakota, Mike Crapo of Idaho, James Risch of Idaho and Johnny Isakson of Georgia. This is a group that could vote yes if Rubio is still on board and other conservatives are falling into line.”
