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Senate Briefly Revisits Immigration Reform

On June 26, the Senate returned to work on comprehensive immigration reform after approving, 64-35, a cloture motion to end debate on the Unaccompanied Alien Children Act (S. 1639). However, on June 28, the Senate rejected, 46-53, a second cloture motion. It is unclear whether the Senate will return to the bill again in the 110th Congress.

Earlier this month, the Senate failed to invoke cloture on S. 1348 (see The Source, 6/8/07). Sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), the Unaccompanied Alien Children Act included all of the amendments adopted during debate on S. 1348, as well as $4.4 billion for border security and enforcement. Like its predecessor, S. 1639 also included provisions that would have created a temporary guest worker program.

Prior to the second cloture vote, the following amendments were tabled, effectively rejecting them:

  • an amendment by Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) to increase the number of family parent visas, 56-41; and
  • an amendment by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) to increase family points in merit-based immigration system, 55-40.
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