Landrieu calls for passage of noncontroversial immigration amendments

{mosads}The Senate is considering the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. Amendment work is expected to continue through the week, but Landrieu said she would not agree to any additional amendments until both Democrats and Republicans put forward a list of noncontroversial amendments they are willing to agree to.

The bipartisan group of eight senators, known as the Gang of Eight, introduced S. 744, which would create a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country, toughen border security, create a guest worker program and boost high-skilled immigration.

Landrieu said Democrats have produced a list of more than 20 amendments they’d be willing to pass. She suggested Republicans come up with a similar list, adding that the current system rewards bas behavior.

“I want amendments that are cleared on all fronts to go first,” Landrieu said. “We have turned from a Senate into a theater. If I wanted to be in a theater, I would have gone to New York.”

Landrieu said she was not trying to be difficult and that the lists didn’t have to be even. She just wants noncontroversial votes to have their day in the Senate and not be forgotten after all the controversial amendments are debated and are rejected.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said he would file cloture on the immigration bill as early as Friday.