GOP faces tough immigration vote

Senate Republican centrists face a tough procedural vote Tuesday on legislation overturning President Obama’s executive orders on immigration.

The legislation would reverse the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allows certain children to get work permits and live in the United States without fear of being deported.

{mosads}It would also reverse another action from November that would shield the immediate family of citizens and permanent residents from deportation.

House Republicans added the language to a bill funding the Department of Homeland Security through the rest of the year. Democrats are opposed to the bill because of the immigration legislation, and it will not have the 60 votes needed in the Senate to overcome procedural hurdles.

Sens. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) have voiced concerns that the agency could be shut down over the immigration fight.

The Senate will vote at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday on a motion to proceed to the Homeland Security bill.

“I haven’t decided yet,” Heller said Tuesday when asked if he would vote for motion.

Kirk is one of the most vulnerable GOP senators up for reelection next year.

Other Republicans considered vulnerable in 2016 include Sens. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Pat Toomey (Pa.) and Ron Johnson (Wis.), who all represent states Obama won in the 2012 election.

Ayotte said Tuesday she will vote yes on the motion to proceed.

It’s possible Republicans who oppose parts of the legislation could still vote in favor of moving to the bill. They could argue that they hope to amend it on the floor.

Ten House Republicans voted against the appropriations bill in mid-January.

Twenty-six House Republicans voted against the amendment to halt Obama’s executive order on DACA. The amendment was approved narrowly, 218-209.

Congress must meet a Feb. 27 deadline to fund the security agency.

Tags Barack Obama Dean Heller Illegal immigration Immigration Kelly Ayotte Mark Kirk

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