Harry Reid Promises Senate Will Hold A Vote On The DREAM Act In Lame-Duck Session

WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has promised to bring the DREAM Act, an important piece of legislation for the Latino community, to a vote in the Senate after the November elections -- whether or not Democrats retain their majority.

Reid's remarks will air Sunday on Univision in an interview with host Jorge Ramos. On Twitter, Ramos wrote, "Harry Reid told me that, win or lose, he will present again the Dream Act in the Senate after the elections."

The Huffington Post confirmed Reid's remark with a Democratic source, who said that the exact timeline hasn't yet been worked out. The source noted that because the federal government is operating under a continuing resolution, the first order of business will likely be approving new funding, as well as approving a large number of Obama nominees who have been blocked by Republicans. But the source confirmed that Reid's answer to Ramos on whether he will bring up the DREAM Act was an "unequivocal yes."

Immigration advocates praised the news that the DREAM Act will receive a chance for passage in the lame-duck session of Congress.

"The DREAM Act would give a group of young immigrants here without immigration status through no fault of their own the chance to attend college, serve in the military and earn citizenship," said Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice. "These valedictorians, future scientists and future soldiers are Americans in all but paperwork, and we are thrilled that Senator Reid is committed to moving this common-sense measure before the end of the year."

"We support and will be looking for viable efforts to pass the DREAM Act after the election," said Center for American Progress Vice President for Immigration Policy Advocacy Angela Kelley. "In order for that to happen however, like-minded Republicans will have to step forward and show their support for this modest measure to provide relief to young people. There hasn't been a lot to suggest that bipartisan constructive conversation on immigration is possible, but I'd love to be proven wrong."

In September, Democrats added the DREAM Act and a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell to the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act. Democrats were unable to overcome a filibuster threat by Republicans, who objected to the inclusion of the other two measures.

When explaining why he attached the DREAM Act to the defense authorization bill, Reid explained, "[K]ids who grew up as Americans should be able to get their green cards after they go to college or serve in the military." The Democratic source who talked to The Huffington Post said that a decision has not been made whether the legislation would come up with the defense bill again after the elections.

Reid publicly announcing just a few days before the election that he will push the DREAM Act is quite bold and politically risky. In his tight re-election contest, Republican Sharron Angle has repeatedly gone after Reid for his support of comprehensive immigration reform, with a series of controversial ads including the new "Harry Reid's Amnesty Game".

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Comments

[MikeyJaii]

11:42 PM on 12/20/2010

Americans, don't have pity for them. Illegal immigrants is still an illegal criminal.

[gladesgrl]

08:29 PM on 12/09/2010

I am a social worker in Florida and the illegal aliens already have federal funds being approved to give free aide via the tax payer's money to children and families of illegal aliens. If this DREAM Amnesty Bill passes, America will come out in force again and vote out the Lame Senators and or Congressmen and women who vote for it. America is being invaded by non-citizens who want to take shortcuts into becoming legal citizens. Our government will not enforce legal laws that require them to enforce the hordes of illegal trespassers. Our so called Representatives in Washington are only looking for cheap votes in order to stay in power in Washington to make their shady deals and get favors to make themselves rich and immune from the bills they pass affecting the working people of America. Wake up People. Call your Senator and Congressman or Congresswomen and tell them to VOTE NO to the Dream Act. Legal immigration is good as long as it is legal and the people coming into America abide by our laws and they are not given favorable status to those who cheat and lie and sneak into our country.
I am a Democrat and a Liberal, but the Dream Act goes too far and will destroy America from within. We have immigration laws and they have worked well the past 200 years. We need to enforce the laws we have and keep America Free. If this Bill passes, it will KILL AMERICA!

[Randy Roy]

04:00 PM on 11/10/2010

My God These posts look like a Tea Party Invasion of the Brain Snatchers. My dear republican tea party posters, this is a progressive news organization and it's readers do think for themselves so please do not post racist rhetoric here.

[am10]

08:57 AM on 11/02/2010

I'm all for the DREAM Act if illegals serve in the military. Not so much for going to college. At least those in the military would be giving something and not taking.

[michellemcleary]

03:59 PM on 11/01/2010

How nice of Harry Reid to offer college enrollment - its not available. Maybe he should check the stats first.
UCLA and most UC colleges deny enrollment to over 75% of AMERICAN students applying. They have become inaccessible to American working class California families who pay the majority of the funding for these colleges, Californa State colleges are also turning away approximately 50% on average, there are over 5,000 foreign students enrolled in each UC each year, these elitist colleges like UC have become inaccessible and are not fulfilling their Charter, or Mission Statement for which they were built, and are yearly funded by taxpayers, ... to educate working class students, American citizen residents of California. Look up "ADMIT RATE" UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. There is a crisis going on in our state universities of too much competition from around the world, making the UC and state colleges inaccessible to hard working American students. Most American students are denied enrollment already, Harry Reid wants to make it harder for American students who have a dream to get a college education, he is making an empty promise to illegal immigrants to enroll in college and you'll get citizenship, but meanwhile us taxpayers will have to pay to subsidize their college education at State colleges.

[spytheweb]

10:32 PM on 10/31/2010

"an important piece of legislation for the Latino community" Why can't it be important to all illegals community? Isn't this important to the American public? Giving away US citizenship like party favors?

[broui]

09:42 PM on 10/31/2010

After the election, both the Dream Act and DADT have the votes to pass.

The moderate Rs - Collins, Snowe and whathisname from FLA have no reason to hide behind procedure and posture before an election. They stated they were FOR the bills.

The bills only need 1 of them and would likely get 2 or even three. They were close before. Once the pressure is off, they'll vote the correct way.

[CRedstone]

09:17 PM on 10/31/2010

This is evidence that establishment candidates are finally starting to realize that the Latino vote can no longer be ignored. Yes, that is a bit cynical. It's just the sad truth about Washington. If we want comprehensive reforms and the DREAM act passed we MUST send Democrats to Washington and hold their feet to the fire. It is our only chance.

No more waiting, hoping, keeping our fingers crossed. We must demand a stop to the xenophobic bills making racial profiling mandatory in certain states and a sincere, measured and fair approach to reforming our 19th century immigration system. Yes, the demographics of this country are changing. They always have and they always will. Get over it tea partiers! There is nothing you can do to change it.

[Dale Birmingham]

09:29 PM on 10/31/2010

Wait until Wednesday morning. You'll have a day without illegal aliens...

[spytheweb]

10:39 PM on 10/31/2010

"Latino vote can no longer be ignored"? Latinos are the least likely to vote and most Latinos live in a few western states.

[Dale Birmingham]

09:02 PM on 10/31/2010

Yeah, it will hit the floor all right and swept out the house like it should be. No amnesty for illegal aliens, no "dream" act for illegal aliens. Get in line and apply for citizenship. I had to pay for my college tuition. No government free handouts.

[jcabowers]

08:53 PM on 11/06/2010

Does the Dream Act say it would pay the college expenses? The article only states that if they get into college and graduate, they can become citizens.

[hatrickpenry]

07:27 PM on 10/31/2010

Doesn't matter, they didn't have the votes before and they certainly wont in two weeks, as those up for bid in 2012 see the devastation on their buddies faces who were just handed pink slips.
Early voting turnout in Nevada have the Dem's at 43%, GOP 41% and the Indies at 16%.
The 'get out the vote' has done just that but with the concentration being in North Las Vegas, the paltry 2% difference spells doom for Reid. On Tuesday the rest of Vegas and the entire state wil turn out with the Dem's having already played their trump cards.

[Mark In LA]

06:09 PM on 10/31/2010

Yes, Phill Gramm conspired with Bill Clinton to end Glass-Steagall. Talk about stupidity, maybe you should get your information from somebody other than Ed Shulz.

[nypapajoe]

05:24 PM on 10/31/2010

This for the ignorant in the crowed of stupidity! Listen up! Several years ago, several corrupt republicans along with members of the financial sector and multinational corporations conspired to de-regulate various financial rules which enabled these people to in turn create the biggest (organized crime) Grand Theft of the Nation to date! As a result the entire financial system collapsed! This had Nothing to do with immigration or someone taking this nation other than the foreign investors! The propaganda has blinded a large majority of the population and this is why people are hysterical and confused! This is Why the republicans have been receiving Huge amounts of campaign contributions from corporations and foreign entities, it's not because these people are altruistic! They want their investment back 10 fold in tax incentives and de-regulations! Read up Fool and Google the profit margins of these corporations it's in the Billions! How much did your ignorant, non reading fact finding Ass get?

[Tuigim]

01:04 PM on 10/31/2010

Eduaction - yes. that shouldn't be considered a dream. It is a right. Thanks, Reid
Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixjACBvv2mE
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDqwJpHibrI&feature=related
Fundamentalism - no. No thanks, Angle.

[massjim]

07:19 PM on 10/31/2010

education paid for by a country that you are not even a citizen of?

[Tuigim]

08:11 PM on 10/31/2010

Start by fixing immigration. Right now it's broken and people are suffering. Stop making it impossible for people to get documents.
So massjim, you'd have sent that girl in the video back to her village.
Wow.

[AKJM]

08:42 PM on 10/31/2010

The children of this country deserve an educational system not not stymied by over crowding. Our immigration laws are not broken; the law breakers break the law. There must not be a magnet of free education.

[jcabowers]

08:55 PM on 11/06/2010

Where are you getting this free education stuff?

[FOXYROSE]

11:37 AM on 10/31/2010

Harry is a career politian who has grown rich off of his job - just like all the others like him. I'm not talking party here, just the plain truth. Congress has provided loopholes for the rich and their friends and most of all for themselves.

[Tuigim]

12:19 PM on 10/31/2010

"Congress has provided loopholes for the rich and their friends" and that is Angle's angle.
She wants to keep the rich, rich but whoever you are
unless you are SUPER SUPER rich it probably doesn't include you.
Angle is bad for America.
Reid is right and represents the people.

[FOXYROSE]

11:34 AM on 10/31/2010

Remember after the election Obama said "We Won" - sounds kind of hollow now, doesn't it!

[Tuigim]

12:22 PM on 10/31/2010

Until we demand real journalism on TV and refuse to grant licences to crooks, we are in deep trouble.
They have a powerful fear mongering tool and we need to let people know the truth.
How much worse will Obama's fight for justice be when those who have learned to be racists and fundamentalists get more control?
Let reason prevail.
Angle is dangerous.

[AKJM]

09:00 PM on 10/31/2010

Do you mean, make broadcast documents harder to obtain-- Well, then we would have illegal journalist, broken broadcast laws. WE would then need to change the law to accommodate the law breakers, like immigration.