Senate Majority Leader Reid Announces Stand Alone Vote On DREAM Act

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, has announced that he will be bringing up the DREAM Act as a standalone bill tentatively scheduled sometime during the week of November the 29th.

Lisa Mascaro of the Los Angeles Times has the full scoop here:

The majority leader also said the immigration bill, known as the DREAM Act, would be brought up as a stand-alone measure. In the past, the measure had failed to advance as an amendment to broader legislation.

The immigration bill would allow young people who came to this country illegally as children to be offered a path to citizenship if they attend college or join the military. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) is a chief sponsor.

"Last time we sought to bring up this bill, all Republicans blocked our effort, even though many have been supporters of the DREAM Act in the past," Reid said. "I hope that our Republican colleagues will join me, Sen. Durbin and Democrats in passing this important piece of legislation, now that we have a stand-alone version and that political season is over."

Timing on when the vote is still up in the air, the Senate is expected to leave for the Thanksgiving holiday next week, but should be back in session the following one. Having a vote after that could be problematic as it is unclear whether the senate will come back into session after the week following Thanksgiving. Having a vote in the next Congressional session becomes problematic as the Democratic majority in the senate shrinks, and Republican's have been lukewarm in their support of DREAM. The last go around exactly zero Republicans voted to move forward to even have debate on the legislation.

Congress is expected to be in recess next week for the Thanksgiving holiday. Lawmakers are scheduled to return the following week to continue a complicated lame-duck session that includes debate over several must-pass bills, including an extension of expiring tax cuts and legislation to fund the government.