Long-time Republican champion of the DREAM Act Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN) recently told POLITICO that he absolutely will vote yes on the DREAM Act, which is welcome news as advocates work to reach out to Republican swing votes:
After Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid delayed a test vote on the bill Thursday, Lugar said he had been prepared to vote “yes.” And he indicated he’ll support the bill when Reid brings it up again later this month.
There are sitting Republican Senators who have supported DREAM and other immigration reform measures in the past:
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Bob Bennett (R-UT) – Voted for DREAM in 2007, Voted for CIR in 2006
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Sam Brownback (R-KS) – Voted for DREAM in 2007, Voted for CIR in 2006, Cosponsored AgJobs in 2003
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Susan Collins (R-ME) – Voted for DREAM in 2007, Voted for CIR in 2006
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John Cornyn (R-TX) – Voted for DREAM in Senate Judiciary Committee in 2003
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Chuck Grassley (R-IA) – Voted for DREAM in Senate Judiciary Committee in 2003
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Orrin Hatch (R-UT) – Voted for DREAM in 2007, Cosponsored AgJobs in 2003
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Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) – Voted for DREAM in 2007
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Jon Kyl (R-AZ) – Voted for DREAM in Senate Judiciary Committee in 2003
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Dick Lugar (R-IN) – Voted for DREAM in 2007, Voted for CIR in 2006, Cosponsored AgJobs in 2003
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Olympia Snowe (R-ME) – Voted for CIR in 2006, Voted for DREAM in 2007, Cosponsored AgJobs in 2003
DREAM backers are making tens of thousands of phone calls, delivering giant checks to offices, and doing everything they can to remind these Senators about why they supported the DREAM Act to begin with.
There are even more Republican Senators who have supported broader reforms, including comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) and AgJobs:
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John Ensign (R-NV) – Cosponsored AgJobs in 2003
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Lindsey Graham (R-SC) – Voted for CIR in 2006
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Judd Gregg (R-NH) – Voted for CIR in 2006
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John McCain (R-AZ) – Voted for CIR in 2006, Cosponsored AgJobs in 2003
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Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) – Voted for CIR in 2006
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George Voinovich (R-OH) – Voted for CIR in 2006, Cosponsored AgJobs in 2003
