Senate votes for cloture on immigration

The Senate Monday voted 69-23 on cloture for the comprehensive immigration legislation that a bipartisan group of senators has introduced after months of negotiations.

{mosads}The vote was the bill’s first step down a long legislative road full of potential pitfalls that could force apart the delicate coalition that crafted the language. Even its biggest supporters admit that they are not sure if their compromise language can survive the criticism from both sides and an amendment process that could be riddled with deal breakers.

Some conservatives do not think that the bill is strong enough, insisting on labeling it “amnesty,” while some liberals have voiced their opposition because the measure is not compassionate enough toward illegal immigrants.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said following the vote that the work on the legislation would not be concluded prior to Memorial Day recess.

“There simply is not enough time,” Reid said after a meeting on the schedule with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).