Carried by the Hispanic vote in his own re-election in November, Reid said that he had the right to call for a vote on the legislation at any time. The DREAM Act has thus stalled in Congress, with a divisive battle between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate over the issue of illegal immigration.
Controversial bills, such as this one, have a weak track record in lame-duck sessions, especially with such a strong Republican opposition.
The bill failed passage this year, along with the Defense Authorization bill that included a repeal to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Experts agree that this session may be the last chance for activists to pass the DREAM Act with a more Republican and conservative Congress coming in January.
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