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Immigration bill passes Senate hurdle but Obama effort angers some Immigration bill passes Senate hurdle but Obama effort angers some
(4 months later)
Efforts to bring 11 million undocumented immigrants out of the legal shadows cleared their biggest congressional hurdle yet on Tuesday, with an overwhelming vote in favour of bringing to a conclusion Senate debates on immigration reform.Efforts to bring 11 million undocumented immigrants out of the legal shadows cleared their biggest congressional hurdle yet on Tuesday, with an overwhelming vote in favour of bringing to a conclusion Senate debates on immigration reform.
The procedural motion, known as cloture, was expected to garner the necessary 60 votes to pass, and its widespread backing by Republicans as well as Democrats bodes well for the chances of the full immigration bill passing the Senate next month.The procedural motion, known as cloture, was expected to garner the necessary 60 votes to pass, and its widespread backing by Republicans as well as Democrats bodes well for the chances of the full immigration bill passing the Senate next month.
Eighty-two senators voted for cloture, with only 15 against, meaning that the bill's conservative opponents will no longer be able to frustrate its passage with filibuster delaying tactics.Eighty-two senators voted for cloture, with only 15 against, meaning that the bill's conservative opponents will no longer be able to frustrate its passage with filibuster delaying tactics.
The bipartisan bill was originally sponsored by a group of four Republicans and four Democrats, but it had become embroiled in increasingly bitter rows at the committee stage, with arguments over whether it contained enough measures to tighten border security. The bill seeks to give legal status to virtually all existing immigrants who entered the US illegally as well as relaxing visa rules for skilled and unskilled workers. It also promises to limit future inflows in return.The bipartisan bill was originally sponsored by a group of four Republicans and four Democrats, but it had become embroiled in increasingly bitter rows at the committee stage, with arguments over whether it contained enough measures to tighten border security. The bill seeks to give legal status to virtually all existing immigrants who entered the US illegally as well as relaxing visa rules for skilled and unskilled workers. It also promises to limit future inflows in return.
Further amendments to the 1,076-page bill are expected over the coming weeks, particularly on the vexed issue of border security. But the fact that the Republican leadership in the Senate has chosen not to use this opportunity to block the bill's progress increases the chances that the fragile bi-partisan consensus may also hold during a rockier passage through the House of Representatives.Further amendments to the 1,076-page bill are expected over the coming weeks, particularly on the vexed issue of border security. But the fact that the Republican leadership in the Senate has chosen not to use this opportunity to block the bill's progress increases the chances that the fragile bi-partisan consensus may also hold during a rockier passage through the House of Representatives.
The cloture vote marks a rare moment of legislative momentum on Capitol Hill. In recent months, the threat of Senate filibuster by Republicans and the lack of a Democrat majority in the House has meant virtually all lawmaking has ground to a halt. Sufficient numbers of Republicans split with their leadership to vote for cloture during recent gun control legislation but it fell at the next hurdle – thanks, in part, to fierce lobbying by the National Rifle Association.The cloture vote marks a rare moment of legislative momentum on Capitol Hill. In recent months, the threat of Senate filibuster by Republicans and the lack of a Democrat majority in the House has meant virtually all lawmaking has ground to a halt. Sufficient numbers of Republicans split with their leadership to vote for cloture during recent gun control legislation but it fell at the next hurdle – thanks, in part, to fierce lobbying by the National Rifle Association.
In contrast, the "Gang of Eight" senators behind immigration reform succeeded in lining up key interest groups such as the US Chamber of Commerce and union umbrella body, the AFL-CIO, in advance. Tuesday's vote was preceded by passionate speeches on the floor of the Senate – including one, by Tim Kaine of Virginia, delivered in Spanish. There was also a last-minute push from President Obama, who held an event in the East Room of the White House that focused on the economic benefits of immigration reform.In contrast, the "Gang of Eight" senators behind immigration reform succeeded in lining up key interest groups such as the US Chamber of Commerce and union umbrella body, the AFL-CIO, in advance. Tuesday's vote was preceded by passionate speeches on the floor of the Senate – including one, by Tim Kaine of Virginia, delivered in Spanish. There was also a last-minute push from President Obama, who held an event in the East Room of the White House that focused on the economic benefits of immigration reform.
"When I speak to other world leaders, one of the biggest advantages we have economically is our demographics," he said. "We're constantly replenishing ourselves with talent from across the globe. In recent years, one in four of America's new small business owners were immigrants … 40% of Fortune 500 companies were started by a first- or second-generation American.""When I speak to other world leaders, one of the biggest advantages we have economically is our demographics," he said. "We're constantly replenishing ourselves with talent from across the globe. In recent years, one in four of America's new small business owners were immigrants … 40% of Fortune 500 companies were started by a first- or second-generation American."
In a sign of the bitter partisan splits that still hang over Washington, some Republican proponents of the bill criticised Obama's intervention, claiming his visible support risked damaging the cross-party consensus in Congress.In a sign of the bitter partisan splits that still hang over Washington, some Republican proponents of the bill criticised Obama's intervention, claiming his visible support risked damaging the cross-party consensus in Congress.
"His entry at this point can only upset the tenuous balance negotiators are trying to create," Jonathan Collegio of American Crossroads, a campaign spending group, told Buzzfeed."His entry at this point can only upset the tenuous balance negotiators are trying to create," Jonathan Collegio of American Crossroads, a campaign spending group, told Buzzfeed.
Obama is keen to associate himself with immigration reform, something he made a centrepiece of his inauguration address in January – not least to distract from a wave of recent scandals over government abuses of power.Obama is keen to associate himself with immigration reform, something he made a centrepiece of his inauguration address in January – not least to distract from a wave of recent scandals over government abuses of power.
The cloture vote bringing the initial phase of Senate debate to a conclusion was followed by a formal "motion to proceed" vote later on Tuesday, which passed by 84 votes to 15.The cloture vote bringing the initial phase of Senate debate to a conclusion was followed by a formal "motion to proceed" vote later on Tuesday, which passed by 84 votes to 15.
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