June 28, 2007
Posted: June 28th, 2007 11:56 AM ET

Watch Sen. Kennedy make a last minute appeal to continue debate on the immigration measure.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Senate effectively killed a sweeping immigration overhaul bill Thursday, dealing a major blow to President Bush and to a bipartisan group of lawmakers backing the legislation.

The bill fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed to cut off debate. Some senators had said if the Senate failed to invoke cloture, immigration reform would be "dead" for this Congress.

Only 46 senators voted in favor of "cloture," or for cutting off debate, while 53 voted against.

Bush had lobbied heavily for the bill’s passage, creating what many analysts viewed as a test of his power in the remaining years of his administration

Notably, 16 Democrats voted against cloture, while only 12 Republicans voted for it. Moreover, 18 senators who had previously supported cloture in Tuesday's vote, voted against it Thursday.

Full story

– CNN Radio's Lisa Goddard contributed to this report

Filed under: Immigration


JIM GANZ QUEENS, NEW YORK   July 2nd, 2007 10:59 am ET

*** WE THE PEOPLE ***

Folks remember on election day the names of the Senators from your state that voted for Illegal Immigration..
I, as a New Yorker will remember the Yea votes of senators Schumer and
Hillary Clinton... also to the citizens of Mass., when will you finally rid yourselves of Ted Kennedy
a major blowhard who got away with murder, and thinks he knows better than the American people...
and remember..
WE ARE THE PEOPLE... !!!
GOD BLESS AMERICA

Lisa L., Bethany, OK.   June 28th, 2007 9:33 pm ET

I want to send a personal "Thank you" to my home Senators, Coburn and Inhofe in voting no for this flawed piece of legislation. Hey Congress, perhaps you should sit up and take notice of all the legal American citizens who bombarded your offices with phone calls, faxes and emails over the past few weeks, WE THE PEOPLE have spoke loud and clear! I cannot wait for 2008!!

Bob Smith Port Angeles, Washington   June 28th, 2007 7:04 pm ET

I am ready to celebrate now that this piece of junk has finally been defeated. All of those senators were ready to sell america to mexico for $5000.00 per mexican illegal. Now we need a list of those who voted for this ugly bill so that we can vote them out of office.

Angeline, Harrisburg , PA   June 28th, 2007 6:04 pm ET

Thank goodness it was defeated! I was worried everyone had gone crazy!

Chris, Carlsbad, CA   June 28th, 2007 5:53 pm ET

I love when Congress preaches how America needs to get behind them because we are too stupid to understand. I can't wait to vote next year against any knudnik that supported this bill! Secure the borders and THEN deal with the illegals – thats a plan!

These yahoos tried every spin doctor move to try and sell this cowpie and they failed because the people are fed up with them. Its time for a viable third party to unite the middle of this country and sweep both the extreme right and left wing dividers out the door.

Lydia Kewanee,Il. 61443   June 28th, 2007 2:56 pm ET

Kennedy says we don't understand. What part doesn't he get? We understand and aren't the dummies he would like to think we are. He should go to Mexico and be in their government (as should all the other lieing, corrupt leaders) he is so for them and not the LEGAL AMERICAN citizens for whom he is supposed to be working! We don't need a new bill! Follow the laws we already have about ILLEGAL ALIENS. We have at least 8 guest worker programs now. (that by the way have fine print that has no limit!) I am fed up with all the lies and spin told to us in the name of big business without one ounce of concern for the Americans today and in the future! No ther country would put up with this illegal invasion that we are experiencing. Remember this isn't about immigration. It is about ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. There is a big difference!

Travis, Lehi, Utah   June 28th, 2007 2:55 pm ET

This is one instance of a problem with the Senate. To solve the problem, the bums need voted out. I think many Senators hid behind "cloture" so they wouldn't have to vote for or against it. I know one of my Senators did just that. But I know he would have voted for it so now I will not vote for him. Even though the bill wasn't voted on, let your Senator pay for where they stood.

Pete, Tarpon Springs, FL   June 28th, 2007 12:54 pm ET

Thank you to all that voted for America. Thank you to all who made your voices heard.

Now we must insist that our border and our ports are secured.

"We the People"

Micki Nicol Santa Clarita CA   June 28th, 2007 12:49 pm ET

All I can say is "thank God" and the members of Congress who defeated this bill. It's time that those in public office realize that they MUST listen to their constituents and that we, the people, will hold their feet to the fire until this problem is resolved. The bill that was defeated was not the answer. My message -- go back to work and DO BETTER!!!

Anonymous   June 28th, 2007 12:40 pm ET

What a waste of time. President Bush couldn't take NO! for answer the first time around.

Maybe this time around do you finally get it Mr. President???

Americans are tired of being sold-out while you serve your big $ lobby pals.

Get a clue! We did not want this bill and guess what? We STILL don't!

Bob Earl, Miami, Florida   June 28th, 2007 12:28 pm ET

Dear Republican & Democrat Politicians,

Your days are numbered.

The citizens of the United States of America will no longer tolerate your arrogant disregard of their wishes.

America is ready for a REVOLUTION!

STOP BAD GOVERNMENT! NOW!!

Bill W, Coatesville, PA   June 28th, 2007 12:28 pm ET

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

GOODBYE and GOOD RIDDANCE!!

Maybe Congress finally got the message that AMERICANS DO NOT WANT THIS BILL!!!

Bruce, Mesa, AZ   June 28th, 2007 12:25 pm ET

It is nice to see that there is still some brain power left, in the U.S. Senate, that they are willing to use!

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