Senate Dems Block First GOP Vote, Immigration Debate in Limbo

Senate Democrats on Tuesday delayed debate on immigration by objecting to the first amendment submitted by Republicans.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., denied a request made by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to begin with a debate over an amendment on sanctuary cities.

"The proposal he just offered does not address the underlying issues of this debate, why we are here," Schumer said, according to the Washington Examiner. "It doesn't address the Dreamers, nor does it address border security."

Schumer proposed instead that the Senate begin with two measures on Dreamers and border security, which McConnell did not agree to.

"Now is not the time nor the place to reform the entire legal immigration system," Schumer said on the Senate floor, according to Newsday. "Rather, this is the moment for a narrow bill. And every ounce of our energy is going into finding one that can pass."

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, questioned Schumer's objection.

"The majority leader [Tuesday] tries to carry out that promise [to debate immigration] and get this bill moving and we have this objection. Very puzzling," Grassley said, according to The Hill.

"The leader has asked for unanimous consent to allow us to start debating these issues and the Democrats are refusing," he added. "Puzzling, as I say it is, because they have been the ones to demand to have this debate."

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