Harry Reid Vows DREAM Act Vote In Lame Duck Session

WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) made good on a campaign promise Wednesday afternoon, vowing to bring the DREAM Act to the Senate floor for a vote during the lame-duck session. The bill would create a pathway to citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants who enlist in the military or enroll in college. Opponents charge that it is too broad and would encourage the flow of labor across the border.

"I will move the DREAM Act as a standalone bill in the lame duck. It's good for the economy & Pentagon says good for natl security," Reid tweeted Wednesday evening. A Reid spokesman said that no date had been set for a vote, but that Reid had been speaking to his Democratic colleagues throughout the week about holding the vote.

On Tuesday, President Obama met with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and, according to Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), promised to put his weight behind the bill and work "hand in glove" to see it passed.

Democrats would need to peel off two Republican votes to beat back a filibuster. Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) has previously said that he would vote for the bill as a standalone and, having lost his GOP primary, can vote freely on the measure. Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) is also retiring in a few weeks time. A number of Republicans supported the measure in 2007, though that was several lifetimes ago in political terms.

Gutierrez said that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has also promised a vote during the lame duck session. Any vote would be unlikely to come until after the Thanksgiving recess.

Comments

[LetsGoSteve]

10:13 AM on 11/21/2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyDOAmJYFFA

Harry Reid emboldens our enemies, thus making him an enemy of mine.

[spytheweb]

01:10 AM on 11/21/2010

Here's something about the DA you did not know:
 
 
"Lies the press has told you about the DREAM ActNovember 17th, 2010 8:20 pm ET
 
Congress, under the Democratic leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, will try once again to pass the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act) during their lame duck session, before the Christmas recess.
The DREAM Act would grant citizenship to adult illegal aliens who came to this country as minors if they attend college or join the military. It was first proposed in 2001, and has had the support of most Democrats as well as that of liberal Republicans.
However, what the press never reports is the fact that the House version of the bill would grant citizenship to qualifying illegal aliens up to the age of 35, and the Senate version has no age limit whatsoever.
Take for example this line which appeared in an article explaining the DREAM Act in the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday: “Roughly 800,000 teens and young adults would be eligible, according to immigration rights groups.”
The Chronicle article gives the reader the impression that the measure would only apply to teenagers and college-aged adults.
Of course, if the American people knew the real consequences of the bill, they would flood the Congress with emails, phone calls and letters the same way they did in 2007, when Sens. John McCain and Ted Kennedy tried to grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens, including violent gang members.
If the House version of the bill passed, untold millions of illegal aliens would be granted citizenship…something the Democrats and their propagandists in the press do not want you to know."
 
http://www.examiner.com/immigration-reform-in-national/lies-the-press-has-told-you-about-the-dream-act

[Soule23]

10:15 AM on 11/21/2010

Here's something about the anti-immigration movement that you did not know:

The major anti-immigrant groups in this country were founded by one person: John Tanton, a retired optometrist from Petoskey, MI. The groups he founded include Federation of Americans for Immigration Reform (FAIR), Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), ProEnglish, ProjectUSA, and NumbersUSA. Tanton has maintained quiet ties to white supremacist groups and eugenics advocates over the course of his thirty year career as the puppeteer for the whole anti-immigration movement.

His groups are cited widely by the press, and particularly by cable news correspondents trying to advance a particular agenda. Interestingly, these groups have well-documented comparisons and links to stormfront, the american na.zi party, and the K K K. They have been called "the K,K,K with a PR plan."

How's that hatey-angry thing working out for ya? *winks*

[LetsGoSteve]

10:17 AM on 11/21/2010

Thanks for telling us "the rest of the story". And thank you for your service.

Former E-4 fellow airman. 1975-1979

Fanned

[rowdybrowngirl]

01:38 PM on 11/19/2010

One of these days white privilege will come to and end and the construct of white supremacy will be a footnote in American history. I look forward to that day.

I'm not sure Reid's intentions are all that pure, in fact, I think it is pretty disturbing that we dangle citizenry in front of people's faces as long as they are willing to go fight our immoral wars.

However, undocumented peoples who have resided in our country for years (ESPECIALLY the kids) need a safe path to citizenship.

For those that are so anti undocumented people I suggest they move out of border states.

[spytheweb]

11:43 PM on 11/20/2010

"white supremacy"? If you're a US citizen and fly anywhere out of the country, you need a passport/visa for entry to another country, or do you expect to walk in without them.

Do you expect to get on a bus without a ticket, or shop without paying?

Why do people think anyone should just be able to walk into the US just because they want to when this practice is not allowed world wide.

[Soule23]

10:16 AM on 11/21/2010

Xenophobia is steeped in white supremacy. You can't avoid that by falling back on the tired "law and order" arguments.

[frixx]

07:12 PM on 12/10/2010

White supremacy? Only a naive youth who never lived thru the 40's, 50's, and 60's would say something that naive. This country has come a long way. It also shows your ignorance about how other countries treat their minorities. Even Mexico which is violently racist.You want to see white supremacy alive and well, go to Mexico.

I am a native Californian, why should I move anywhere just because the people you support illegally invade my State?

Hate to break it to you, but the illegals have invaded every state in the Union. I've been to Green Bay, Wis. They're in New York. The aim of Mexico is to take over completely.

And unless you are born in Mexico, when they do, you'll find yourself a second class citizen in their scheme, Comrade.

[grf67]

04:30 PM on 11/18/2010

Replace Reid with a person with some courage and a brain. He could not govern with 60 votes so why would the dems keep him? It is not clear that RFeid could govern with 70 votes.

[swp]

04:13 PM on 11/18/2010

Why don't you just follow Dodd out the door!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[den1953]

03:37 PM on 11/18/2010

Why not hold up those Bush tax cuts for the rich and let them sunset, you want show the people of America you want to reduce the deficit that is the best way to start. Then get Immigration done at least the Democrats will show the issue needs to be debated of course gridlock is certain!

[rowdybrowngirl]

03:37 PM on 11/18/2010

Biology lab beckons. Thank you to all of you fighting the good fight.

Stay humane.

[Soule23]

10:49 AM on 11/19/2010

You make a lot of good points without being over-the-top or unnecessarily unpleasant. Keep spreading the facts--we need to overcome the tidal waves of misinformation that are floating around out the about the DREAM Act specifically and comprehensive immigration reform generally.

F&F

[spytheweb]

11:47 PM on 11/20/2010

We need to enforce laws on the books. The Dream Act is a giveaway to foreign citizens, they have their country, go back.

[frixx]

08:32 PM on 12/10/2010

Well that explains a lot.

Wait until you start working and take on adult responsibilities, handing over more than half your income in taxes (property, income, state, fica, sales, auto, etc. etc.), I think you'll change your tune.

Ever notice how the people who tend to disagree with your youthful naive idealism are generally taxpayers?

Don't get me wrong, idealism is a wonderful thing and I hope you retain some semblance of it for the rest of your life, but trust and believe, you'll get tired of govt wasting your hard earned money.

Hopefully from some of your biology studies, you'll see we are facing a fundamental problem of overpopulation, not a racial one. And trust me, in your lifetime it will only get worse, not better, aided and abetted by a catholic church which encourages irresponsible overpopulation, while never paying for it.

[rowdybrowngirl]

03:22 PM on 11/18/2010

Those who produce should have, but we know that those who produce the most - that is, those who work hardest, and at the most difficult and most menial tasks, have the least.
Eugene V. Debs

When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong.
Eugene V. Debs

While there is a lower class, I am in it, while there is a criminal element, I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.
Eugene V. Debs

My hero, EV Debs. Amazing how the words of Debs, Gandhi, MLK and others of high moral character still ring true today.

[Cal90210]

03:28 PM on 11/18/2010

EV Debs was a socialist. Are you a socialist? Do you need to google the word socialist?

[broui]

03:32 PM on 11/18/2010

So are you. You just can't admit it.

You enjoy roads. You will collect Social Security. You have a military protecting you. You use the Postal Service. I was going to say you use the public library but I won't presume that. If you didn't have public education, you must recognize its benefits to society - warts and all.

Just a few of the wonderful Socialist programs we enjoy in the good ole USA.

Or did you need to Google its meaning?

[rowdybrowngirl]

03:32 PM on 11/18/2010

Who cares if I am? I am an American and I CAN be whatever it is I choose to be.

EV Debs was a damn fine American.

[frixx]

03:11 AM on 12/01/2010

While you're at it, look up what Cesar Chavez had to say about illegal immigration. Don't be a tool.

Caesar Chavez was firmly against illegal immigratio­n and led a march in Calexico against it.

But Reagan got his buddies from the Teamsters to break his strikes. With ax handles.



In 1979 testimony to Congress, Chavez complained­, "... when the farm workers strike and their strike is successful­, the employers go to Mexico and have unlimited, unrestrict­ed use of illegal alien strikebrea­kers to break the strike. And, for over 30 years, the Immigratio­n and Naturaliza­tion Service has looked the other way and assisted in the strikebrea­king. I do not remember one single instance in 30 years where the Immigratio­n service has removed strikebrea­kers. ... The employers use profession­al smugglers to recruit and transport human contraband across the Mexican border for the specific act of strikebrea­king..."
                                 - Cesar Chavez

In 1969, Chavez actually led a march to the Mexican border to protest illegal immigratio­n, accompanie­d by Sen. Walter Mondale and Ralph Abernathy, whom alert readers will recognize as Martin Luther King's successor as head of the Southern Leadership Conference­.

Chavez demanded that the federal government close the border, routinely reported suspected illegal immigrants to immigratio­n officials”

Cesar Chavez, an American Hero.

[peegan]

03:03 PM on 11/18/2010

General response to the many replies I received to an earlier post. A lot of people need a reality check. These kids, brought here by others, aren't going anywhere.  Do you think that our immigration and courts will ever be able to round them all up and deport them? WILL NEVER HAPPEN. So you have a choice; allow them the same opportunities to educate themselves and become tax paying citizens who add to instead of drain the economy, or cut your nose off despite your face and leave these kids in legal limbo, doing exactly that, being a burden on other tax payers. You can keep thumping your chests, or you can support what is the best solution for all. In all the grandstanding here, I have not seen a single suggestion for a reasonable WORKABLE alternative.Not one.

[rowdybrowngirl]

03:11 PM on 11/18/2010

Thank you. F & F

[Cal90210]

03:19 PM on 11/18/2010

Hold on, you're saying that if we don't legalize them they'd be a drain on the economy. Finally, a lib tells the truth - illegals are a drain on our economy.

[rowdybrowngirl]

03:23 PM on 11/18/2010

You are drain on your own sanity.

[BoyReck]

03:26 PM on 11/18/2010

Unfortunate that there isn't a convenient way to get rid of everyone who's a drain on the economy.

[broui]

03:02 PM on 11/18/2010

According to the 2009 version of the senate bill,[11] DREAM Act beneficiaries must:

-Have proof of having arrived in the United States before age 16.
-Have proof of residence in the United States for a least five consecutive years since their date of arrival, compliance with Selective Service.
-Be between the ages of 12 and 35 at the time of bill enactment.
-Have graduated from an American high school or obtained a GED.
-Be of "good moral character"

THEN, they have 6 years to either serve 2 years in the military or earn an AA at a college or university.

That's the contract. Not easy. Not Amnesty - not by the definition of Amnesty.

Those that are taking issue with the 18-35 years - we have men and women STILL SERVING in Iraq and Afghanistan to whom that applies, putting their lives on the line. What better way to earn "Permanent Residence"?

[Cal90210]

03:14 PM on 11/18/2010

Not easy? Are you kidding? They really couldn't make it much easier.

Your last paragraph? Yes, I would think many of those serving in our military are between the ages of 18 - 35. What was your point?

[broui]

03:19 PM on 11/18/2010

Read more carefully. Right now, many of the young men and women serving this country, fighting and dying ARE UNDOCUMENTED.

Why do you think that the Defense Dept, the Joint Chiefs, the Pentagon and the President all want this?

To recruit Democrats?

To honor and recruit military personal.

[rowdybrowngirl]

03:19 PM on 11/18/2010

What is YOUR point?

[broui]

02:49 PM on 11/18/2010

AMNESTY - "The action of a government by which all persons or certain groups of persons who have committed a criminal offense—usually of a political nature that threatens the sovereignty of the government (such as Sedition or treason)—are granted Immunity from prosecution."

Can any of the posters who are against the DREAM Act explain to me how the CHILDREN committed a criminal offense that threatened the sovereignty of the government?

[Cal90210]

02:52 PM on 11/18/2010

Oh jeez, not that old chestnut.

Those 35 year old 'CHILDREN' aren't getting an amnesty.

[broui]

02:55 PM on 11/18/2010

Can't do it can you?

[rowdybrowngirl]

03:02 PM on 11/18/2010

Where do you get this "35 year old" thing. The undocumented kids I attend college with are all in their late teens and early twenties and most of them have been here since they were toddlers.

[frixx]

03:17 AM on 12/01/2010

Invasion.

US Constitution Article 1, Section 10.

"No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay."

Invasion of the US is against the Constitution. There is no age limit on it. Please inform yourself.

[repugnicansfearme]

02:47 PM on 11/18/2010

I like Harry. I just wish he had about 14 Red Bulls worth of energy in him once in a while. Guy is like watching paint dry.

[Brain User]

02:30 PM on 11/18/2010

Democrats are growing strong balls now. Good for the country.

[Cal90210]

02:47 PM on 11/18/2010

They should probably see the doctor about that.

[VoteRight]

02:25 PM on 11/18/2010

Deport em...they can dream about coming here legally

[BoyReck]

03:07 PM on 11/18/2010

Deportations cost 50k apiece, and do not stop the deported from returning.

[rowdybrowngirl]

02:06 PM on 11/18/2010

BoyReck 1 hour ago (12:57 PM)
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A death penalty would discourage immigration, though. And it would be cheaper than plain tickets. Remember, ILLEGALS don't have due process rights, so death penalties could be very efficiently handed out.

_______________________________________________________________________________

This is for all of you who have labeled me as disgusting because I compared the spike of black lynchings in the South during the Depression to what we are facing now.

I told you. If you continue to practice hate and intolerance putting people to death is never far around the corner.

[Cal90210]

02:26 PM on 11/18/2010

I've seen photos of people who were lynched from trees or burned at the stake, and trust me, your comparisons are downright inappropriate. Your ignorance takes my breath away.

[broui]

02:34 PM on 11/18/2010

I would encourage you to watch a documentary called "9500 Liberty". It chronicles a county council's move to enact a law that was identical to the one enacted in AZ.

What is brilliant about this film is that it is raw. It doesn't preach. It simply allows people to be who they are. Listen to the people who speak at these open mikes. See what the blogger in town writes to stir the people up. Watch the police chief struggle to keep his county sane.

Then come back and tell this young lady she's ignorant.

[rowdybrowngirl]

02:35 PM on 11/18/2010

Hey, your ignorance does the same for me. :)

I've seen those photos too and if you read what that guy wrote above you would understand that it is a VERY apt comparison.

[VoteRight]

02:28 PM on 11/18/2010

Where is the stoopid flag