Senate immigration debate stalls after Democrats block first GOP amendment
by Susan Ferrechio | Feb 13, 2018, 1:15 PM
What was supposed to be an open-ended debate on immigration reform stalled on Tuesday when Democrats objected to the Republican's first amendment, which would punish so-called sanctuary cities.
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., blocked a request by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to start by debating the sanctuary city language. Without Schumer's consent, the debate cannot begin until either late tonight or tomorrow morning.
The amendment mirrors legislation written by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., that would withhold certain federal funds from jurisdictions that do not cooperate with federal immigration officials when it comes to illegal immigrants.
Schumer argued Tuesday that the Toomey bill has nothing to do with the legislation that the two parties hope to pass, which would provide protection for so-called Dreamers in exchange for border security money, changes to chain migration and an end to the visa lottery system.
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http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/senate-immigration-debate-stalls-after-democrats-block-first-gop-amendment/article/2648959
