© 2023 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Senate Takes Step Toward Immigration Vote

The Senate votes to cut off debate on an immigration overhaul, moving it a step closer to passing the legislation. With a final vote expected late Thursday, the Senate package is sharply different from the House bill, and there are doubts the two can be reconciled.

A vote today shut off any possibility of a filibuster on a compromise plan that incorporates both a path toward citizenship for immigrants already in the country - and tougher enforcement at the border.

The Senate's vote to limit further debate on the immigration bill was 73 to 25, 13 votes more than what's needed to break a filibuster. Massachusetts Democrat Edward Kennedy hailed the outcome, saying it "creates major momentum for this legislation."

And Pennsylvania Republican Arlen Specter, who managed the bill through days of debate and amendments, defended what others have criticized as an unworkable plan to legalize the status of millions now in the country illegally. "Is it too unwieldy? No. Does it respond to a very complex set of facts? Yes," he said.

But Sen. Specter also added, "Does somebody have a better approach? Not yet -- but we're still open for business."

A final vote on the Senate bill could come by Thursday.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

David Welna is NPR's national security correspondent.
From now to Giving Tuesday, you can make a huge impact on the local journalism you get from WKAR. We need 500 donations to unlock a special $50,000 gift. Your donation, of any amount, can get us closer to funding the news and entertainment you value from our station.