"Yes we can" chant erupts in committee room following passage of immigration reform bill in Senate Judiciary.
— Faiz (@fshakir) May 21, 2013
The Gang of Eight’s amnesty bill passed out of committee this evening by a vote of 13–5 after Sen. Patrick Leahy agreed to withdraw his amendment allowing American citizens in long-term same-sex relationships to sponsor their foreign partners or spouses for green cards.
Leahy has brought up LGBT amdt on immigration – Graham very angry
— Emily Pierce (@emilykpierce) May 21, 2013
Former SF mayor, Sen. Feinstein "implores" Leahy to not offer the LGBT amdt to prevent it from "blowing apart this bill"
— Emily Pierce (@emilykpierce) May 21, 2013
"Uv got me on immigration U don't have me on marriage. If U want to keep me on immigration let's stay on immigration"- @grahamblog
— Emily Pierce (@emilykpierce) May 21, 2013
Feinstein says losing Graham would give others cover to vote against the bill too; SCOTUS likely to recognize gay marriages.
— Carolyn Phenicie (@cphenicie) May 21, 2013
Leahy doesn't appear to be moving on this – his gamble is that GOP immig supporters are bluffing and will support bill w or w/o LGBT amdt
— Emily Pierce (@emilykpierce) May 21, 2013
Gang of Eight member Sen. Chuck Schumer also encouraged Leahy not to press the committee on the same-sex marriage amendment for fear of scuttling the bill in the full Senate.
"a once in a generation chance to pass CIR will be finished" Schumer says if LGBT amdt is adopted #cirmarkup
— Emily Pierce (@emilykpierce) May 21, 2013
As much as it pains me I cannot support this amdt if it will bring down the bill – Schumer #cirmarkup wow
— Emily Pierce (@emilykpierce) May 21, 2013
Looks like Franken is a no too #cirmarkup #lgbt
— Emily Pierce (@emilykpierce) May 21, 2013
There are tears in the room! #LGTB #Immigration #CIRMarkup
— Gaby Pacheco (@GabyPacheco1) May 21, 2013
Leahy withdraws #lgbt amdt at #cirmarkup "with heavy heart"
— Emily Pierce (@emilykpierce) May 21, 2013
The bill is expected to head into debate on the Senate floor early next month.
12 hearings, 163 amendments and 29+ hours of debate later Comprehensive Immigration Reform heads to the Senate floor #TimeIsNow
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 22, 2013
Judiciary Committee passes comprehensive immigration reform bill 13-5. Next step, Senate floor. http://t.co/zceTwNxJ9f
— Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) May 22, 2013
Judiciary Committee Completes Work On Historic Immigration Reform Bill In #CIRmarkup — http://t.co/d9Mp51GTgO
— Sen. Patrick Leahy (@SenatorLeahy) May 22, 2013
Jud Comm #immigrationreform markup ending now. Kudos to Chairman Leahy and Ranking Member Grassley for a fair, substantive process.
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) May 21, 2013
Comprehensive #immigration voted out of Judiciary Cmte tonight – passing first big test. More tests to come but I'm guardedly optimistic
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) May 22, 2013
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was one of the votes against the bill, claiming that it would incentivize future illegal immigration, calling it “almost utterly toothless with respect to the border.”
Why I voted against the Gang of Eight's immigration reform bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee: http://t.co/kIypEg8Q6z
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) May 22, 2013
Pres. Obama on immigration bill: "none of the Committee members got everything they wanted, and neither did I", but best possible result
— Steve Brusk (@stevebruskNews) May 22, 2013
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