Durbin to Re-Introduce DREAM Act on Senate Floor Today

[pampango]

Source: Washington Independent

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) announced today he plans to bring the DREAM Act to the floor again today so it will be “poised and ready to be called” as a standalone bill or an amendment. That’s not to say it will happen soon, though. Durbin said it might not be possible to pass the act for some undocumented students and military service members to gain legal status until a lame duck session or even the next session of Congress.

“We’re not giving up,” he told DREAM Act supporters at an event organized by Campus Progress. “This is not the end of the fight, it’s just the beginning.”

Durbin has been a longtime champion of the DREAM Act, and said yesterday’s Republican filibuster of the defense authorization bill (the DREAM Act was a planned amendment) was “a sad moment.” It showed the DREAM Act does not have enough votes to pass, he said, but this could change if voters and student activists continue to pressure senators.

Asked whether senators could pass the DREAM Act in a lame duck system, Durbin said he was trying to be optimistic. “Some members of the Senate who are not going to return may vote in our favor,” he said. “I hope that’s the case.”

Read more: http://washingtonindependent.com/98335/durbin-to-re-introduce-dream-act-on-senate-floor-today

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http://www.campusprogress.org/articles/video_risking_it_all_for_the_dream_act/

"Undocumented / Unafraid" is the story of undocumented students who were arrested during a July 2010 march in support of the DREAM Act." (link for video follows)

"The DREAM Act is a bipartisan proposal that would create a path to citizenship for hardworking undocumented young people who grew up here, graduate high school, follow the law, and complete either two years of college or military service. By granting them the opportunity to become taxpaying members of the workforce or to serve in our armed forces, the DREAM Act would allow these young people to give back to their country and their communities at a time when it’s needed most."

[bluestateguy]

1. I am not yet ready to support this bill

If I was a senator I would vote for cloture, but against the bill.

[earthside]

3. I'm with you.

Too many loopholes in this legislation. The House bill has no age limit and the age limit in the Senate bill is 35 years old.

My reading of the bill also leads me to believe that those desiring to 'cheat' the DREAM Act system could not be deported. In which case this legislation, purported to be to help young people, could in practice be an open door to amnesty and even more exploitable labor entering the country.

[The Northerner]

6. +1

[customerserviceguy]

10. I don't like that it equates military service with going to college

In the former situation, the immigrant is contributing to our society, but in the latter situation, they're taking from taxpayers for personal benefit only. Even in 100% 'private' schools, the tax exemptions granted to such institutions amounts to a subsidy.

[shraby]

2. I think it's a great idea. Many of these young people call

this country home and have for the majority of their lives. Why not give them a path to make it their legal home?

[alstephenson]

11. I agree.

Why should kids have to pay for their parents' "mistake". By furthering their education these young people will be able to contribute to society, not take away from it.

[Roland99]

4. It's only worth it if the Dems MAKE the GOP asshats literally filibuster for days on end.

[AlbertCat]

7. It's only worth it if the Dems MAKE the GOP asshats literally filibuster for days on end.

That would solve SO MANY problems!

As well as provide hours of video of Republican obstructionism and Dems enduring.... for us!.... the Repugs unwillingness to do ANYTHING.


Besides, the Reugs would cave the minute they had to miss a Base Ball game.....

[galileoreloaded]

5. is immigration the new "third rail" of American politics? Because....

Social Security isn't anymore, it seems.

I think so.

[pampango]

8. AFL-CIO blog: Republican Senators Can Block, but Not Kill, the DREAM

http://blog.aflcio.org/2010/09/22/republican-senators-can-block-but-not-kill-the-dream/

In another revealing display of their party’s true colors, Senate Republicans yesterday blocked passage of the DREAM Act. Every Republican senator—even some who had co-sponsored the legislation in the past—voted to stop progress on a bill that is vital to our national security and would have provided a path to citizenship to some of our nation’s most promising youth.

By stopping the bill, the Party of “No” made clear their willingness to exploit fear for political gain at the expense of our nation’s children, even as members of the Pentagon and many former top Defense officials say they support the DREAM Act because it would help the military build and keep a stronger all-volunteer force.

Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) had the political courage to introduce the DREAM Act as part of the Department of Defense Authorization Act. Even though they did everything possible to reach across the aisle, Senate Republicans caved in to the anti-immigrant vitriol of their Tea Party base. Their message was clear: Latinos and immigrants have no place in America.

Senate Republicans may have killed the DREAM Act for now, but the fight for justice for immigrant communities and all working people in the United States is far from over.

[paulflorez]

9. Why not re-introduce the bill to repeal don't ask don't tell???

For goodness sake:

Over 70% of Americans support a repeal.

The repeal would not take effect until after the review is done.

If it passes, the Dem base would be energized in triumph, including youth.

It would depress Social Conservatives who would feel betrayed by Republicans; they are already disappointed that the "Pledge" did not have many socially conservative issues.

It will do the Democrats ZERO political goods to repeal DADT during lame duck, which means Dems WON'T PASS IT.

The day of the vote, the Dems could ask that all Senators wear yellow ribbons to show support for our troops.

If it failed to pass, Democrats could attack Republicans for failing to support our troops, they should have their yellow ribbons ripped from their chests.

Why, why WHY is DADT Repeal not being passed????????