NDN Blog

Below is a video of DREAM Activists on Fox and Friends this morning. These activists present the struggles of immigrants who would benefit from the DREAM Act with conviction, and advocate on behalf of this legislation with  class seldom seen on cable news these days.

... And it all comes down to this, at 2:15 PM eastern the Senate will vote cloture on a motion to proceed to the Defense Authorization Legislation. As of now, Defense Authorization does not contain the DREAM Act, however Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has indicated that he will attach the legislation as an amendment if it passes cloture today.

It should be very clear, that while Republican's currently bemoan the fact that the DREAM Act is not germane to Defense Authorization, and say that it's inclusion will cost their vote, DREAM is not actually attached to the bill that will be voted on today.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 CRS bill summary shows that the DREAM Act has not yet been added as an amendment.

Though there is wide support for the DREAM Act, among Democrats, and military personnel, at this point it is not looking very good for the Defense Authorization bill as a whole.  Peter Shrag of the LA Times has more in his story Dashing the DREAM Act:

The chances that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid can deliver on his promise to move the so-called DREAM Act toward passage in the Senate this week range from slim to none.

But the announcement that it would be added as an amendment to the Defense Department authorization bill has energized pro-immigrant groups, even as it underlines the fact that there'll be no comprehensive immigration reform any time in the near future. Not this year, certainly, and probably not next year either.

The article also does a great job at showing exactly what is at stake for immigrants:

The bipartisan DREAM (for Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act, which was to have been part of comprehensive reform, would make it possible for as many as 2.1 million undocumented young immigrants to start on the path to legalization. Roughly 26% are in California. In the Senate, the leading sponsors are Republican Richard G. Lugar of Indiana and Democrat Richard J. Durbin of Illinois. In the House, they are Democrats Howard L. Berman of Valley Village and Lucille Roybal-Allard of East Los Angeles and Republican Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida.

Even if the DOD Authorization fails to move past a cloture vote today and there is no vote on the DREAM Act, it is possible that the legislation is punted to a lame duck session after the elections.

Washington Post writer Edward Schumacher-Matos notes that even if there is no vote, there may be a positive outcome for Democrats and Activists. Matos has the full story in his article Dems playing politics with immigration -- and it's good policy:

And it's about time the Democrats got politically tough, because the amendment is also good policy.

This might also help Democratic candidates in states such as California, Texas, Colorado and New Mexico, where the Latino vote makes a difference. Immigration is second only to jobs in importance to Latinos, according to polls, but they were feeling forsaken by Obama and the Democrats over stalled comprehensive reform.

Colin Powell appeared on Meet the Press and defended immigrants, and challenged the GOP not to be Anti Immigrant. The video is below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

With a vote on the motion to proceed to Defense Re-Authorization coming as early as Tuesday, Republican Senators have indicated that they would not vote to move forward because the legislation contains The DREAM Act and other controversial amendments.

J. Taylor Rushing of The Hill has the full story here.

Among the Republicans who will not vote to proceed, Senator Lindsay Graham (NC) has become an outspoken critic of passing the legislation as an amendment to the Defense Re-Authorization bill.

“This is rank politics,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who has previously been an ally to Democrats on immigration reform. “There’s no way I’m going to vote for the DREAM Act in isolation on the defense bill. And if they think I’m the problem, they’re wrong. I will support good, comprehensive immigration reform, but not like this.”

Republican Senator Robert Bennett (UT) feels similarly on the issue:

“I support the DREAM Act as free standing legislation, but putting it in a bill that has a number of objectionable aspects is not something I support,” Bennett said in a statement. “If [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid [D-Nev.] brings it to the floor as a stand-alone bill, I will vote for it.”

Add Senator John Cornyn (TX) to that list. Despite the fact that he represents a state that is 36.9% Hispanic and has constituents who would benefit from the DREAM Act, he too opposes the bill:

“I’m for comprehensive reform, and it’s a mistake just to carve out one little piece of that and pass it independently,” Cornyn said. “Frankly, that’s one of the most sympathetic portions of immigration reform, and I’ve always thought it’s one of the engines that helps pull the train when it comes to other aspects of the issue. If it passes as a stand-alone, it will take the wind out of the sails to do other things we need to do on immigration.”

Republicans are not alone in being skittish about passing the DREAM Act key Democrats have indicated that they are not sure how they will vote on the legislation:

Democrats helped block the bill three years ago when it fell eight votes short on a procedural motion. While some Republicans supported that motion, eight Democrats voted no, including the late Sen. Robert Byrd (W.Va.) and Sens. Max Baucus (Mont.), Mary Landrieu (La.), Mark Pryor (Ark.), Kent Conrad (N.D.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Jon Tester (Mont.) and Byron Dorgan (N.D.).

Five of those senators — Conrad, Dorgan, McCaskill, Pryor and Landrieu — told The Hill this week they haven’t made up their minds about this week’s vote.

As the first procedural vote on the DREAM Act nears, partisan battle lines are being drawn. Arizona Senator John McCain has angrily denounced attaching the legislation as an amendment to the Defense Re-Authorization Bill.

Seth McLaughlin of the Washington Times has the full story in McCain Rips Defense Bill Amendments:

"This is turning legislation related to our national defense and military preparedness into a vehicle to force a partisan agenda through the Senate," he said. "What's worse, the majority leader is pushing this controversial agenda under the cover of supporting our troops, knowing that the National Defense Authorization Act is a must-pass bill, and whatever else is in it will inevitably become law as a result."

It is somewhat ironic that Senator McCain would characterize the DREAM Act as "Controversial,"  because when he was a presidential candidate in 2008, he endorsed the DREAM Act going so far a to put out this release which says:

McCain was a co-sponsor of The DREAM Act of 2007, and an earlier Senate bill that provided for comprehensive immigration reform, including the DREAM Act of 2006. McCain was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act of 2005

While flip-flopping on immigration is nothing new for Senator McCain, his complaint that the DREAM Act is not germane to the Defense Re-Authorization is also intellectually dishonest.

Senator Richard Durbin pointed out on the Senate floor, that DREAM was not only germane to Defense Re-Authorization, but has the support of the military.

"The DoD bill is an appropriate vehicle for DREAM Act because 10s of 1,000s of highly qualified young people would enlist in armed forces"

In fact according to the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the DREAM Act is recommended by the military because it will

Help shape and maintain a mission-ready All Volunteer Force.

Meanwhile Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, continued to defend passing the DREAM Act:

"I hope that he will do the right thing and support this bill that not only funds critical support for our troops like weapons upgrades and pay raises, but also ensures that our military reflects our nation's values," he said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, has engaged Senator John McCain on his threat to block Defense Authorization Legislation unless the DREAM Act,  Repealing of both Dont Ask Dont Tell and  Secret Holds Amendments are stripped out.

Senate Majority Leader Reid's quote is below:

“Any American so courageous and patriotic that he or she wants to serve our country in the military should be able to do so. 

Senator McCain and anyone else who thinks the DREAM Act is not directly related to our national security should talk to the brave young men and women who want to defend our country but are turned away. 

And he should also talk to our military leaders in the Defense Department who have said that America’s military readiness depends on recruiting as many well-qualified men and women as possible. 

The Defense Department’s strategic plan explicitly states that passage of the DREAM Act is critical to helping the military ‘shape and maintain a mission-ready All Volunteer Force.’  And many of our generals in the field believe that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ harms troop morale and combat readiness.

Senator McCain should know better than anyone that patriots who step up to serve our grateful nation should be offered a path to citizenship, and that anyone who volunteers to serve should be welcomed regardless of their sexual orientation.  I hope that he will do the right thing and support this bill that not only funds critical support for our troops like weapons upgrades and pay raises, but also ensures that our military reflects our nation’s values.”

Jeff Mason of Reuters has a story up on President Barack Obama passionate speech on voter engagement in his article Obama: I'm not walking away from immigration reform.

President Obama gave his speech at Congressional Hispanic Caucus Gala, and pointed out that any movement on immigration reform would require Republican support.

President Barack Obama assured Hispanics on Wednesday he was not walking away from immigration reform while expressing disappointment that he had not delivered on a 2008 promise to overhaul U.S. policy.

The President used his speech to remind the audience that he was committed to moving forward, and had not forgotten the hard work that Hispanic's had done to get him elected.

"Now, I know that many of you campaigned hard for me, and understandably you're frustrated that we have not been able to move this over the finish line yet. I am too," he told a gala dinner for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, referring to immigration reform.

"But let me be clear: I will not walk away from this fight. My commitment is getting this done as soon as we can. We can't keep kicking this challenge down the road."

This announcement comes as the Senate is set to take up the DREAM Act next week. Lynn Sweet from the Chicago Sun Times has more:

President Obama, Wednesday night, at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus gala:

"Now, the Senate is going to have a chance to do the right thing over the next few weeks when Senator Reid brings the DREAM Act to the floor. (Applause.) Keep in mind, in the past, this was a bill that was supported by a majority of Democrats and Republicans. There's no reason why it shouldn't receive that same kind of bipartisan support today. I've been a supporter since I was in the Senate, and I will do whatever it takes to support the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' efforts to pass this bill so that I can sign it into law on behalf of students seeking a college education and those who wish to serve in our country's uniform. It's the right thing to do. We should get it done."

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has signaled that it supports passing the DREAM Act and has a new strategy for passing Immigration Reform in the fall:

1)      An immediate up or down Senate vote on the DREAM Act with no amendments.  Majority Leader Harry Reid indicated Tuesday this would occur in coming weeks;

2)      Lawmakers called on the Senate to support the comprehensive immigration reform legislation that Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) will introduce.   House Members previously introduced such legislation (H.R. 4321, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act) and have already collected support of more than 100 co-sponsors;

 3)      The White House must address the massive toll that deporting 1,100 men, women, and children per day takes on immigrant families.  Lawmakers called on the President to cease the deportation of non-criminals and those who pose no threat to the U.S.; and

4)      Rolling back a Bush-era interpretation of immigration law that gives state and local police "inherent authority" to enforce civil immigration law.  Many state and local police are using this flawed legal analysis to ensnare and deport non-criminals and those who pose no threat to America.

Today Senator John McCain, announced that he intended to block the Defense Authorization Bill, unless Senate Democrats strip out the Dream Act, Dont Ask Dont Tell and Secret Hold Amendments.

Jessica Brady of Roll Call  has the full story at McCain Threatens to Block Defense Authorization Bill:

The Arizona Republican, who is ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, said Democrats were using the defense measure as a tool to push liberal agenda items in the runup to the midterm elections.

“So I intend to block it, unless they agree to remove these onerous provisions,” he said.

McCain blasted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for attaching both the DREAM Act and a proposal to end the use of secret holds in the Senate to the measure. McCain also criticized Democrats for using the defense bill to try to repeal the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Meanwhile, Senator Robert Menendez has indicated that he is currently shopping around an immigration legislation package to Republican Senators. CQ Politics has a story up Democrat Shops Immigration Bill 'with plenty of ideas."

Sen. Robert Menendez says he will introduce broad legislation in the coming weeks that includes a path to citizenship for undocumented residents and an overhaul of enforcement measures.

A lack of Republican support has prevented an immigration overhaul from moving forward this year in the Senate. Menendez, D-N.J., said Wednesday that the legislation “will have plenty of Republican ideas in it” but for now he is still looking for GOP cosponsors.

The senator said he would offer the bill before the end of the current work period, which is expected to wrap up by early October.

We will be following both stories closely as they develop.

Yesterday Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that the DREAM Act will come to a vote in the Senate as early as next week.

Suzanne Gamboa of the Associated Press has the full details in her story Immigrants Measure Could Come Before Senate:

The Nevada Democrat said at a Capitol news conference that the legislation known as the DREAM Act is long overdue. But he wouldn't say whether he has the votes for the amendment. The act allows young people who attend college or join the military to become legal U.S. residents.

However Senate Majority Leader did note that he may not have the votes to pass the legislation:

Asked whether he had the votes for the DREAM Act, Reid responded: "I sure hope so."

One thing is for sure the politics surrounding the timing of this vote are complex:

President Barack Obama has been under fire in the immigrant and Hispanic communities because Congress has failed to move an immigration reform bill despite his promise to address the issue in his first year in the Oval Office.

Some critics say Democrats' end-of-the-year push on immigration reform is a political move. Reid is facing a tough re-election challenge from tea party favorite Sharron Angle, who supports tougher immigration laws. Hispanics make up a quarter of Nevada's population.

Even within the Congressional Hispanic Caucus there is some skepticism around the move to introduce the legislation. Kathleen Hunter of Roll Call has the full details in her story Hispanic Representatives Seek Assurance About Reid's Plan:

“I want to see what the Senate comes up with,” said Democratic House Caucus Vice Chairman Xavier Becerra (Calif.), the chamber’s highest-ranking Hispanic lawmaker. “The concern is, will it be a constructive fix? Will the Senate move the ball forward on fixing the system? If the Senate can move the ball forward on fixing the system, I don’t think anyone’s going to object to that.”

As positive a development as this has been, some members worry that this could derail carefully laid plans for other immigration legislation:

Hispanic Caucus Vice Chairman Charlie Gonzalez (D-Texas) said Hispanic lawmakers were concerned that other provisions, such as a worker program for farm laborers or visa rules, could also get tacked onto the Senate proposal, a scenario that might anger stakeholders, such as the business community, that overhaul advocates had worked hard to bring to the table.

“The DREAM Act has to be a clean DREAM Act. It cannot include other aspects,” Gonzalez said. “We figured it would be tied in with other provisions that are part of a comprehensive reform measure, and we don’t want that.”

Nicole Allen of The Atlantic notes that there may be a larger strategic plan for putting DREAM in the Defense Authorization Bill:

By slipping DREAM into the defense authorization bill, Reid sets a potential trap for Republicans: vote against the immigration measure and risk being portrayed as stiffing the troops less than two months before midterm elections.

Votes are expected early next week.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, announced today that he intends to bring the DREAM Act up for a vote next week as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill.

John Stanton of Roll Call has the full story up at Reid Will Add Immigration Measure to Defense Authorization. Senate Majority Leader Reid, long a proponent of the measure emphasized the importance of passing the legislation.

The Dream Act would provide a pathway to citizenship for children in the country illegally who serve in the military or go to college. The Nevada Democrat called the measure “utterly important.”

He also acknowledged the road blocks that the DREAM Act faced:

“Those Republicans we had in the last Congress have left us,” Reid said, adding that it is nevertheless important to move the smaller Dream Act now.

“We have huge numbers of our military who are Hispanic. I think it is very important for us to move forward on this legislation,” he said.

The vote is expected next week, we will bring you more as it develops.