Senate Approves Amnesty, Kills Real Reform

Press Releases · Jun 26, 2013

Washington - Today, the Senate passed the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act (S.744), also known as the Gang of Eight's amnesty bill. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham:

Today's vote reaffirms that some in Washington seem intent on repeating the mistakes of the past. On policy, Senators emulated the failed 1986 amnesty. On process, they embraced the backroom deal making that defined Obamacare. The American people would have been better served if the Senate had pursued immigration reform through an open, step-by-step approach. But by pursuing an amnesty-first approach, they have precluded any further action. Amnesty cannot be improved and the House should not try.

Notably, proponents of the bill failed to reach their arbitrary, self-imposed goal of 70 votes.