Reid adds controversial immigration measure to defense bill
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/09/14/art.getty.harry.reid.jpg caption="Harry Reid said he will add the DREAM Act to a defese policy bill next week."]
Washington (CNN) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday he will add the DREAM Act, a controversial immigration measure, to a defense policy bill the Senate will take up next week.
The decision means the defense bill, which often passes with bipartisan support, will be home to two major, thorny political issues – the other being the repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Reid called the DREAM Act "really important" and said it should be passed because it provides a path to citizenship for young illegal immigrants who go to college or serve in the military. DREAM is an acronym for Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act.
"I know we can't do comprehensive immigration reform," Reid said at a news conference. "But those Republicans we had in the last Congress have left us."
Many Hispanic voters are angry with Democratic leaders for not doing more to pass an immigration overhaul. The decision by Reid to add the DREAM Act now could help soothe that anger.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell called Reid's decision "needlessly controversial."
The Senate will need 60 votes to take up the bill next week, and Reid said Tuesday he doesn't know if he has enough votes.
Nice; load a straight forward defense bill with pro-gay and pro-immigrant provisions 49 days prior to mid-term elections. The independents have bailed, the dem voters from 2 years ago remain embarrassed that they fell for the bait and switch, and will not be turning out in mass. Last ditch effort is to appease the crowd the dem's pandered to and forgot. Are the dem's insulting the intelligence of gay and latino voters with these provisions?
Why is this Bolshevik note wearing an orange jumpsuit?
Unbelievable. Nevada, retire Reid before I, and a whole lot of other people write your state (and Vegas) off the visiting list for good...
A "DREAM" fulfilled on the backs of American tax payers and those that came to the U.S. leagally becomming naturalized citizens.
America... it was nice knowing you... it has been one heck of a 220+ year run.
There is already a mechanism for serving in the military to gain citizenship....
Political posturing, aimed at the Hispanic vote, solely to blame Republicans when it's defeated as should be with everything "attached" to a "defense policy" bill. His actions only "hurt" America's defenses since now the entire bill must be voted against.
He, and those like him, are the big problem and threat to this country.
Boot his butt, and his ilk, out this November!
What a jerk. Why can't a bill be for a single thing instead of adding other garbage to it. Immigration is a separate issue and needs to be dealt with on its own!
Could these people get any more sleazy? Is it any wonder why congressional approval is so low, when a high roller like Reid plays these games with our troops?
Oh yeah great reporting. Tell us it's going to be in the bill but don't tell us what it does? Are you going to post a copy of the bill on here so we can read it for ourselves, or are we to just take your word for it as to what's in it?
This is the bozo who is currently in the lead in Nevada. Are all you Nevadans this happy with this pinhead? Quite frankly, if you were just screwing yourselves, I couldn't care less. You yhink he's God's gift to Nevada, fine, but you foist this piece of garbage on the rest of America. Wheres your common sense? Is it more important for you to accept his pork? Appears so.
This guy is makes is a progressive hippy who loves nothing more than destroying America on a daily bases all for his Union Bosses
The fact that Reid claims that he doesn't know if he had the votes to get DREAM passed as part of the defense bill says that his is 100% political.
First, you have to ask, what is an immigration bill doing in the defense bill? Is immigration somehow related to defense spending? No, it has as much relevance as including Cash for Clunkers in the defense bill.
So, decide for yourself what Senator Reid's motivation is.
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Harry Reid is a DB to the nth degree. Selling out our country to the foreign invasion. How ironic he is doing it on the DEFENSE BILL. Harry's new nickname is "The Craftsman" because you will not find a bigger tool!! Time for all these traitors to be given their walking papers; get out and vote LEGAL Americans while you still have a vote.
The Democrats truly are thugs. They MUST GO. And I hated the Republicans. But they look pretty good now compared to these clowns who govern with thuggery and gimmicks. YThen whine and blame everyone else when their poll numbers sink.
God we are screwed as a country.
This kind of legislation does NOT belong in a defense bill. The legislation is nothing more that special treatment and a reward to those who are legally not supposed to be in our country....Nevada do the country a favor and dump dingy reid into the "has been" bin....
Never a better reason to veto a defense bill if you're a Republican. And loads of ammunition for Angle.
Reid is a fool who deserves to go.
Well at least he is not hiding his blatant disregard for American politics.
Dems have been doing this for decades. They hate the defense budget but they know they have to pass it so they toss in all their liberal agenda stuff.. then when Repubs fight they accuse them of stalling the defense bill.
This is what American politics has become. Excuse me while I go throw up.
We should not award bad behavior. Illegals should not be going to college in America. They should be punished.
OUTRAGEOUS! Once again Harry is playing politics and pandering to ILLEGAL immigrants to get votes in his OWN election! This huckster needs to leave the rubbish out of the Defense Bill!
Or correction, vote against a bill if you're a Republican. The intent still stands
Reid the traitor is trying to fire a last shot before he is ousted from Congress. I f he does, he should be tried as a traitor to our country. Let's watch closely and then act accordingly.
Nice attempt to bribe the Hispanic vote Harry.
There is no such thing as an "ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT" there are "IMMIGRANTS" and "ILLEGAL ALIENS". Let's start calling them what they are. "ILLEGAL ALIENS".
Uh..Harry, the last congress was run by the democrats. Doing less by doing more for the American people since 2006.
Will the underfunded tricks never end?