Reid Says He’s Got “56”, Kos Counts Senate Votes for Immigration Reform

America's Voice Blog

Posted 04/14/10 at 03:53pm

Kos This week the progressive blogosphere (see: Kos on the politics, including Reid's statement that he had 56 votes, (and the Senate picture), Atrios for the skeptics, and Digby with the arithmetic) began commenting on the resurgence of immigration reform, after Majority Leader Reid's statements at a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday:

“We are going to pass comprehensive immigration reform,” Reid told the crowd. “We need to do this this year. We can’t let excuses like a Supreme Court nomination get in the way.”

Reid promised the legislation would include provisions to secure both the north and

south borders, revisions to a guest worker program, and provisions to deal with illegal immigrants already in the country.

“There are no excuses. This is something America needs,” Reid said. “We’re going to do immigration reform just like we did health care reform.”

Those were welcome words to the crowd gathered in Las Vegas and to millions of Voters around the country.

Yesterday, Reid, back in DC, put his comments into the Senate schedule, stating that the Senate won’t take up the bill before Memorial Day:

But Reid also noted that two top priorities would not be on the agenda before Memorial Day: comprehensive immigration reform, and moving forward on a nominee for the Supreme Court.

"We won't get to immigration reform this work period," he said. "We won't get to the Supreme Court justice."

While few politicos expected a Senate floor debate on a Supreme Court nominee or immigration reform before May (it would still have to go through Senate Judiciary first), the news led to a feeding frenzy from the Capitol Hill press corps. Several reporters immediately jumped on Reid’s comments as a sign that the Majority Leader was “backtracking,” filing stories with headlines like the New York Times’ “Reid Hits Pause Button on Immigration” or POLITICO’s “Harry Reid Punts on Immigration.”

Most of the pundits and purveyors of conventional wisdom have been writing the obituary for immigration reform for the past year. But, every time they count us out, we get back in the fight. See, for instance: March 21st.

As Marisa Treviño writes at Latina Lista:

The immediacy that media outlets pounced on his statement, without clarifying his remarks with his office, as a sign that there is no real Congressional support for immigration reform underscores 1. The importance of the issue and 2. The cluelessness that exists about who or who does not support CIR.

While some Congressional representatives worry more about their political careers rather than commit to working on a bill that will help the nation regain a stronger foothold in its national security, financially benefit the weak economy and regain national stature as a nation that honors human rights, a new campaign by Reform Immigration FOR America will force these Capitol Hill representatives to take a public stand.

Andrea Nill writes at the Wonk Room:

Though Reid has by no means tabled immigration reform, getting a bill won’t be easy. The legislative calendar is packed and leaves little room for obstacles or distractions.

It certainly won't be easy, and there is little time to hesitate right now. Already, grassroots groups around the country are gearing up for May 1st, a showing of momentum and power likely to dwarf any mobilization this year.