Revisiting the DREAM Act

          Brian Montopoli wrote an article entitled, "Is There a Last Gasp for Immigration Reform?" on December 1. Within his article he discusses how the DREAM Act is essential to any immigration reform and talks about what the Democrats have to do to get the vote to the Senate. According to Montopoli, "The DREAM Act is a major priority of Hispanic groups, who represent a growing and crucial voting bloc. [He goes on to say that] without them Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, among other Western Democrats, would now be preparing for retirement." 

        It is going to be a challenge to bring the DREAM Act for a vote in the Senate, "Republicans say they will block any and all other legislation until the Bush tax cuts have been extended and the government, which runs out of money on Friday, has been funded" (Montopoli). The bill needs sixty votes in order to pass and that is still in the air, at least two of the Democrats will likely vote against it which will only offset the two Republicans that seem to support the bill. In order for Reid to overcome a filibuster two more Republicans would have to vote for it. It is also not yet a "sure thing in the House: Democrat Steny Hoyer said today that he has not yet determined whether or not is will come to the floor, and even if it does, expect a number of Democrats to vote against it" (Montopoli).

       Although it seems unlikely that it will pass as of right now, I do think that the Democrats should continue to push for the Senate and House vote. I think that if it is passed it would prove to be quite beneficial to the United States. It would be providing a path to citizenship to those people that have been in America since they were young children, have not committed any serious crimes, and have gone to school with the ultimate goal of college or the military. It seems to me that these people would be ones that we want to be American citizens, people who are quite valuable to society as a whole.