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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Senate Revives Immigration Bill

Debate on controversial measure, numerous amendments to resume after 2-week hiatus

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(Newser) – The Senate breathed new life into the stalled immigration bill today, voting to resume debate on the signature legislation of President Bush's second term. With a slew of amendments waiting in the wings, passage is hardly a sure thing, the Times reports, but the bipartisan coalition that crafted the measure took heart.

The bill opens the "pathway to legalization" to 12 million illegal immigrants, said majority leader Harry Reid, who supervised the parliamentary maneuvering that led to today's cloture vote. The 64-35 vote to take up the bill spotlights a GOP rift that extends to the White House; Reid predicts failure if Bush can't enlist 25 or so Republican votes in favor.

President Bush arrives to speak about comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House compound in Washington, Tuesday, June 26, 2007. Bush prodded Congress to take advantage of an
President Bush arrives to speak about comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House compound in Washington, Tuesday, June 26, 2007. Bush prodded...   (Associated Press)
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, left, and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, right, listen to President Bush speak on comprehensive immigration reform in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House compound in Washington, Tuesday, June 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, left, and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, right, listen to President Bush speak on comprehensive immigration reform in the Eisenhower Executive Office...   (Associated Press)
President Bush makes remarks on comprehensive immigration reform in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House compound in Washington, Tuesday, June 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Bush makes remarks on comprehensive immigration reform in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House compound in Washington, Tuesday, June 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)   (Associated Press)
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, left, and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, right, are seen outside the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 26, 2007, as the Senate voted on immigration legislation. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, left, and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, right, are seen outside the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 26, 2007, as the Senate...   (Associated Press)
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, listens as President Bush speaks to reporters about immigration reform in this Tuesday, June 12, 2007 file photo on Capitol Hill in Washington. Efforts to salvage an immigration bill in the Senate have put a spotlight on McConnell but it is senators...
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, listens as President Bush speaks to reporters about immigration reform in this Tuesday, June 12, 2007 file photo on Capitol Hill in Washington. Efforts...   (Associated Press)
Senator Robert Menendez, D-N.J., discusses immigration reform legislation during a news conference in Washington Friday, June 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Senator Robert Menendez, D-N.J., discusses immigration reform legislation during a news conference in Washington Friday, June 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)   (Associated Press)
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A closer look at the opposition to the legislation
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