Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the immigration legislation by a bipartisan vote (13-5). The vote concludes the committee markup process in the Senate and signifies the clearing of the first official legislative hurdle for immigration reform’s passage in 2013 (see here for a list of “good and bad” amendments added to the Senate bill from America’s Voice).
The below is a statement from Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice:
Today immigration reform took a giant step forward. The Gang of Eight bill is a carefully balanced piece of legislation that has broad-based bipartisan support and emerges from the committee as a stronger bill than when it went in. This is a bill that can both pass this Congress and work when implemented.
Of particular importance is the fact all of the Senate Democrats on the committee as well as Gang of Eight Republican Senators Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) helped to ensure the path to citizenship remains achievable. With Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) promising to bring up the bill in June and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) promising not to block it, it appears the Senate is poised to make history.
We are more optimistic than ever that this is the year for immigration reform. The American people support it strongly, the Democrats want it badly, the Republicans need it desperately and our movement is prepared to fight for it daily.
We want to thank Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) for his brilliant and transparent management of the mark up; Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) for their leadership in crafting a strong and balanced piece of legislation; and the other Senators who supported the bill: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT); Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); Sen. Al Franken (D-MN); Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE); Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT); and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI).
Regarding the debate over the Senator Leahy’s amendment to treat LGBTQ couples and families equally under our immigration laws, our commitment remains strong. We believe immigration reform will not be complete until all families have the right to be together. We remain committed to accomplishing that goal as soon as possible.
Resources:
- America’s Voice Analysis: List of Both Good and Bad Amendments to the Senate Bill
- America’s Voice Press Release: “Path to Citizenship Remains Intact as Markup Reaches Home Stretch”
- America’s Voice Press Release: “How the Senate Bipartisan Immigration Bill Fixes the Mistakes of 1986”
