Donald Trump likes to say that all Democrats have to do is a few minutes’ work to fix the immigration crisis he’s created, but they’re too divided to get any work done. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives did just that, and the person most likely to block that legislation from moving forward isn’t a Democrat.
America’s Dreamers represent the constant reinvigoration of our country. Today, the House will pass the American Dream & Promise Act — an historic step for immigrants and communities across America. #ProtectTheDream
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) June 4, 2019
The House passed the American Dream and Promise Act on Tuesday with a 237-185 vote. Seven Republicans crossed the aisle to vote for a pathway to citizenship for two million immigrants, including Dreamers and other children brought to the United States by their parents.
The Washington Post writes:
‘The American Dream and Promise Act of 2019…would grant dreamers 10 years of legal residence status if they meet certain requirements. They would then receive permanent green cards after completing at least two years of higher education or military service, or after working for three years.
House Democrats held a presser ahead of passing the American Dream and Promise Act, which would offer a pathway to citizenship for people within DACA, TPS, DED and similarly situated immigrants who've spent much of their lives in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/0jILlOpWNT
— POLITICO (@politico) June 4, 2019
Seven Republicans crossing the aisle in the Senate would mean a piece of legislation around the immigration crisis would actually be passed. A Republican member of Congress, Lindsey Graham (R-SC) wrote a similar bill of his own recently, so it isn’t as if the bill couldn’t get support from the right. Although it’s unclear how much GOP support the bill would get in the Senate, it’s also unlikely the country will ever know.
‘The House measure was introduced in March. That month, two groups of senators introduced similar legislation that would protect dreamers. One bill was authored by Sens. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.).’
This is beautiful. The House just passed the American Dream and Promise Act giving hope to 2 million dreamers! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/dWdvA4fSIz
— The Hummingbird ? (@SaysHummingbird) June 4, 2019
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the self-proclaimed “grim reaper” of House bills passed by democratically-elected members of Congress on the left, is not expected to bring the bill before the Senate. The Post noted that the bill has not been mentioned by any Republican senator as upcoming legislation. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) holds out hope.
‘”There should be nothing partisan or political about this legislation,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said at a news conference, flanked by other Democrats and supporters of the measure. “We are proud to pass it, we hope, in a bipartisan way.'”
DREAMers and TPS holders strengthen our communities as teachers, first responders, and entrepreneurs.
Today, I was proud to join @HouseDemocrats to pass the Dream and Promise Act to provide a pathway for citizenship and permanent protections for DREAMers and TPS holders.
— Elijah E. Cummings (@RepCummings) June 5, 2019
Featured image via Flickr by Molly Adams under a Creative Commons license
