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A resolution for comprehensive immigration reform failed to pass in the Senate today, after lawmakers wouldn’t give enough required votes for the measure.
This comes after Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar voiced optimism for the measure, which will be given more time for the possibility of passage.
By a vote of 33-63, the Senate fell far short of the 60 votes that would have been needed to limit debate on the immigration measure and put it on a path to passage. Republicans – even those who helped craft the measure and are expected to support it – banded together to oppose that move, while a majority of Democrats backed it.
Republicans were seeking assurances they would get chances to add several conservative-backed changes that would toughen the measure.
Proponents in both parties were scrambling to find a way of reversing a blow their compromise sustained earlier Thursday, when the Senate voted to phase out the bill’s temporary worker program after five years.
If a compromise is not obtained, this could mean another failed session on immigration reform.