It looks like
the stage is set for a strong bipartisan vote in favor of immigration reform in the Senate:
The Senate moved forward Friday with consideration of a bipartisan immigration measure by announcing plans to hold votes early next week on a single amendment that would make several significant changes to the bill ahead of final passage later next week.
Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) announced the plans Friday afternoon, saying that a bipartisan group of senators had sorted out details of a plan to include significant changes in security along the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as changes to the national employment verification system known as E-Verify, and new requirements necessary in order for immigrants to obtain legal status.
Assuming the deal sticks together, there might end up being 70 votes in favor of reform, after all. And all signs indicate the deal will stick together: In filing cloture today, Reid "filled the amendment tree," which
basically makes the "border surge" plan the only game in town.
After Senate passage, the key question is whether (a) the House will pass its own bill, setting up a House-Senate conference, or whether (b) the House will vote on the Senate legislation, something Speaker John Boehner says he won't do without a majority of Republicans favoring such a vote.