Posted on 06/13/2013 7:37:23 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Despite threats from several Democrats in the Senate that forced him to withdraw an amendment that would allow gay couples to sponsor green cards for their foreign partners last month, Sen. Patrick Leahy decided to file it anyhow to the Gang of Eight immigration bill on Tuesday.
The Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman had withdrawn the amendment during the markup of the bill last month after a contentious debate during which Republicans said they wouldn't have it and Democrats threatened to oppose the measure if it threatened the overall passage of the bill.
"You've got me on immigration. You don't have me on marriage. If you want to keep me on immigration, let's stay on immigration," Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), one of the gang of eight, said during the debate over the amendment .
"As much as it pains me, I cannot support this amendment if it will bring down the bill," Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), another gang of eight member had also stated.
And with that, Leahy decided to withdraw the amendment.
"I take the Republican sponsors of this important legislation at their word that they will abandon their own efforts if discrimination is removed from our immigration system," he had said. "So, with a heavy heart, and as a result of my conclusion that Republicans will kill this vital legislation if this anti-discrimination amendment is added, I will withhold calling for a vote on it. But I will continue to fight for equality."
On Tuesday, Leahy kept his promise to carry on the fight when he filed the amendment, according to a POLITICO report, charging that it is the right thing to do.
"Seeking equal protection under our laws for the LGBT community is the right thing to do," he said in a statement. "I withheld my anti-discrimination amendment during the Senate Judiciary Committee markup. As the entire Senate turns to debate the immigration bill, the fight for equality must go on."
It is uncertain if Leahy's amendment will get a vote, according to the report, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have yet to reach an agreement on amendments.
The amendment also appears to face a tougher chance at passing in this scenario as well. Whereas it would have only required a simple majority to pass in the committee, it will likely require 60 votes to pass on the Senate floor.
A Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act expected later this month, however, could enable gay couples to petition green cards for their foreign partners.
they just never stop and our side just never speaks up.
Imagine if we had people like they do on the left over this issue. We would have stopped their perversion years ago
Give them an inch and they’ll want a mile. And they’ve gotten a lot more than an inch.
Poison Pill?
It would be great if this was successfully put in, to kill it.
However Dems will cave and abandon their gay supporters yet again on this to give Rubio the claim that he kept this bill straight for us.(probably their real reason for bringing it up)
in fact, how many illegals does this affect?? 2%?
It will be a victory over nothing.
And if this bill fails because of attaching the homosexual marriage provision, then the liberals will blame conservatives for being Neanderthals about gays, and all that.
I think the liberals will be happy if that happens, if they can assess blame for conservatives not being politically correct on homosexual marriage. That’s all that matters in politics to these liberals — who can they blame if they don’t get their way.
Our leaders ha! never can keep the debate authentic about actually reforming current laws/over reaches like the IRS and putting in meaningful oversight. The amnesty bill was 70 some pages; now it is in the 1000’s because of all of these added in amendments. We have to pass the bill in the Senate first to see what all is in it. What does that sound like (you know). The deal has been set. Cruz and Lee are right to say, the back room deals are being cut.
Anyone who thinks the politicians are wanting to help better the nation, is just oriented for these TV sucker voters who believe all of the junk that is spoken.
Like one of my neighbors said to me on several occasions. “Oh, you are being too harsh of the liberals.” “It’s on TV, the reporters would not lie; they would be shown up in the media for lying.”
The bill has to die. The republicans have to be the most stupid for partying in the same bus with people who hate their views/hate their policy ideas. I have friends who are to the left and I would go swimming or to a picnic with them for fun but if I were I in a debate with authority to make reforms and policies at any level of a government, I would not say, to the opposing views, how do you want me to write this law. I want to be in the circle with you all.
I do believe in the end it comes to the influence of power. We see so many times, that our elected representatives become abusive to their power. There is not many who go to D.C. that can control and balance that to any personal convictions.
Think they might apologize to the Republican that did the restroom stall foot slide now?
RE: Think they might apologize to the Republican that did the restroom stall foot slide now?
That would be former Idaho senator Larry Craig. He did not run for re-election in 2008. And nope, he never came out as gay.
” However Dems will cave and abandon their gay supporters yet again on this to give Rubio the claim that he kept this bill straight for us.(probably their real reason for bringing it up)
in fact, how many illegals does this affect?? 2%?
It will be a victory over nothing. “
That’s the idea!
That is all that truly matters. The ONLY people who care what liberals think of them are GOP apparatchiks.... and they ain't worth squat!
The left is so full of hypocrisy it’s sickening!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.