On Thursday (2/5), the Senate passed a $1.9 trillion budget resolution for COVID relief, paving the way for Joe Biden’s recovery plan. Although this was a welcomed piece of legislation for many in the country suffering from the pandemic, eight Democrats voted to deny certain individuals relief based on immigration status. Importantly, this amendment, along with other anti-immigrant amendments, were stripped from the bill later in the process. But the following Democrats clearly flinched when initially asked to support undocumented immigrants, even though millions are risking their lives as essential workers for all of us:
- Hassan (NH)
- Kelly (AZ)
- Sinema (AZ)
- Manchin (WV)
- Peters (MI)
- Stabenow (MI)
- Tester (MT)
- Hickenlooper (CO)
Immigrant advocates were watching.
How does it feel to be praised by an anti-immigrant extremist group that was founder by an eugenicist @SenatorHick, @SenMarkKelly, @Sen_JoeManchin, @SenGaryPeters, @SenatorSinema, @SenStabenow, and @SenatorTester? https://t.co/UiASHeuRVN
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) February 5, 2021
Everyone regardless of immigration status should be getting pandemic relief.
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) February 5, 2021
Update: final version of relief package got rid of amendment barring undocumented workers from receiving stimulus checks.
TY Dem leadership @SenSchumer, @RepJayapal @HispanicCaucus for ensuring this was taken out.
Still we won’t forget true 8 Dems that voted for this amendment
— Cristina Jiménez (she/ella) (@CrisAlexJimenez) February 5, 2021
It is a shame that 8 Democrats, including @SenatorHassan, @CaptMarkKelly, @kyrstensinema, @Sen_JoeManchin, @SenGaryPeters, @SenStabenow, @SenatorTester and @SenatorHick have decided to vote for this amendment and with the party of Trump, against the undocumented community. https://t.co/lsM3d7O4ic
— RAICES (@RAICESTEXAS) February 5, 2021
SHAME. 8 Senate Ds just voted for grotesque amendment by Sens Young & Cotton to use immigration status as a barrier for millions to receive direly-needed economic relief.
Sens Hassan, Kelly, Sinema, Manchin, Peters, Stabenow, Tester, & Hickenlooper: we demand a #RecoveryforAll
— Greisa🧡🌈💥🦋 (@GreisaMartinez) February 5, 2021
very important point on Cotton's anti-immigrant vote, which 8 Senate Dems supported (it was undone later in the night, fortunately)
As @AmericasVoice documented, Loeffler, Perdue, GOP spent millions on anti-immigrant ads in GA – and LOSThttps://t.co/TIQXAe5TZH https://t.co/FGkz01GdVk
— Joe Sudbay (@JoeSudbay) February 5, 2021
Remember this when I tell you why I was cautiously optimistic when Biden won the election. Both parties have let people like me, my family and my community down, but when it's Democrats, it hurts even more because of the damn promises they make. 8 of them voted for this. 8! https://t.co/qEe5wQPryj
— Erika Andiola (@ErikaAndiola) February 4, 2021
https://twitter.com/jordanzakarin/status/1357565309037793280
Note that Masto and Rosen voted against Young while Sinema, Hick and Kelly (et al) voted yes. Masto & Rosen are following the successful Reid model: when his consultants told him to run to the right on immigration in his 2010 race, he ignored them and embraced the issue instead. https://t.co/j1as9dERAx
— Adam Jentleson (@AJentleson) February 5, 2021
