Break out the Champagne!

[Joseph Burkeson, CMI]

Immigration Bill Appears Doomed After Cloture Vote Fails in Senate

By CQ Staff, CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY
By Michael Sandler, CQ Staff
June 28, 2007

Comprehensive immigration legislation, President Bush’s top domestic priority this year, suffered a devastating blow in the Senate today that may prove to be the death knell for the bill in the 110th Congress.

On a 46-53 vote, the Senate failed to invoke cloture and limit debate on the bill (S 1639). It was the second time this month that backers of the legislation proved unable to muster the 60 votes needed to surmount opposition to the legislation from conservative Republicans and a mixed group of liberals and Democrats representing more generally GOP states. Indeed, the effort picked up only one new vote since June 7, when an effort to limit debate on an earlier version of the bill failed by 45-50.

The legislation before the Senate was the product of a “grand bargain” involving the White House and about a dozen senators from both parties. But the fragile compromise suited almost no one entirely.

Complete story on CQ.com.