Colorado Sen. Mark Udall today had sharp words for Senate Republicans who derailed the DREAM Act, a bill that would create a path to citizenship for undocumented workers who come to the United States as minors.
The bill only got 55 votes, with 41 against, leaving it five votes short of the 60 needed to move it to the Senate floor for full debate. Five Democrats crossed the aisle to vote against the bill, which would have granted conditional status to the children of illegal immigrants provided they finish high school and don’t have a criminal record. They would have been required to complete a minimum two-year college degree or go into the military.
Udall, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged his Senate colleagues to keep pushing for the bill.
“This is an important issue that affects the lives of so many young people who only want the opportunity to live the American dream – and know of no other home than the United States,” Udall said in a release.
“This bill would have enabled high-achieving students the opportunity to further their education or fight for our country. Many military leaders agree that passing this legislation would help strengthen our military by giving these young men and women the chance to serve in the armed forces. Today’s vote should have been an opportunity to put politics aside, but instead some will use it as a political tool to further divide our country.”
