House Sends DREAM Act To Senate

The DREAM Act, which has been a top priority for Democrats and the White House and subject to much debate, passed the House late last night in a 216-198 vote.

The legislation, which was first introduced in 2001, is aimed at providing undocumented minors in good social standing a pathway to citizenship, a staple that Republican lawmakers argue is amnesty. Thirty-eight Democrats crossed party lines to oppose the legislation while 8 Republicans followed suit by voting in favor of the bill.

According to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, last night’s vote was “an opportunity to solve a problem, solve a problem for these young people, to help solve problems for our military and national security, to help solve problems about innovation and education and making our country stronger economically.”

The House sends the bill to the Senate where it will likely face an uphill battle, needing to rake in 60 votes in order to supersede a Republican filibuster. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure Thursday morning, but after a number of Senate Republicans vowed oppose anything until the nation’s tax cut issue is resolved, it is evident the bill faces an uphill battle in the upper chamber.