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Immigration Reform Update 6/24/13- Vote On Leahy 1183 Amendment Happening Today

Today at 5:30 PM, the Senate will vote on a critically important amendment to the Senate comprehensive immigration bill. The amendment, Leahy 1183, includes the agreement negotiated by Senators Corker (R-TN) and Hoeven (D-ND) and other Senators, and is essentially the new Senate immigration bill. The vote is a cloture vote ( a vote to end debate on the underlying amendment) so it will need at least 60 votes. If cloture vote tonight succeeds then there are further procedural votes that need to happen and it looks like the final vote on the bill would likely take place this week. A strong vote for cloture today is important to demonstrate support for the Senate immigration bill and to build the momentum for a strong bipartisan vote, which will send an important signal to the House about the need for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a roadmap to citizenship.

The amendment being voted on today includes the increased border security provisions, the so-called “border surge,” which were negotiated by Senators Corker (R-TN) and Hoeven (R-ND). The provisions contain an additional 20,000 border patrol agents, $3.2 billion in high-tech surveillance equipment, and a requirement to complete 700 miles of fencing along the border. The amendment does not make any changes to the agricultural provisions. We are still reviewing the text for other changes that would affect farmworkers.

You can watch the debate on the Senate website. 

Today at 5:30 PM, the Senate will vote on a critically important amendment to the Senate comprehensive immigration bill. The amendment, Leahy 1183, includes the agreement negotiated by Senators Corker (R-TN) and Hoeven (D-ND) and other Senators, and is essentially the new Senate immigration bill. The vote is a cloture vote ( a vote to end debate on the underlying amendment) so it will need at least 60 votes. If cloture vote tonight succeeds then there are further procedural votes that need to happen and it looks like the final vote on the bill would likely take place this week. A strong vote for cloture today is important to demonstrate support for the Senate immigration bill and to build the momentum for a strong bipartisan vote, which will send an important signal to the House about the need for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a roadmap to citizenship.

The amendment being voted on today includes the increased border security provisions, the so-called “border surge,” which were negotiated by Senators Corker (R-TN) and Hoeven (R-ND). The provisions contain an additional 20,000 border patrol agents, $3.2 billion in high-tech surveillance equipment, and a requirement to complete 700 miles of fencing along the border. The amendment does not make any changes to the agricultural provisions. We are still reviewing the text for other changes that would affect farmworkers.

You can watch the debate on the Senate website.