The news today from Capitol Hill was encouraging. The immigration reform bill that was very near death was resuscitated with a Senate vote of 64-35 in favor of reopening debate on the bill. Proponents of the bill were prepared to call for a vote on a series of amendments which would lay the ground work for an up-down vote on the entire legislative package. Fortunately, the GOP, armed with the Senate rules and intending to delay a vote, insisted that the entire 373 page legislation package be read aloud. The delay tactic was successful and the vote was postponed until tomorrow. It is truly amazing that our legislature is not able to accomplish more with such sensible and efficient rules--they are worth every penny.
