Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Senate Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday he is considering adding the controversial DREAM Act immigration measure to a defense bill in the Senate next week.
As a result the defense bill which often passes with bipartisan support will include two major thorny political issues the other being the repeal of the militarys dont ask dont tell policy.
DREAM is an acronym for Development Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell called Reids decision needlessly controversial. Many Hispanic voters are angry with Democratic leaders for not doing more to pass an immigration overhaul.
The decision by Reid to add the DREAM Act now could help soothe that anger.
Reid called the
DREAM Act really important and said it should be passed because it provides a path to citizenship for young illegal immigrants who
go to college or serve in the military.
I know we cant do comprehensive immigration reform Reid said at a news conference. But those Republicans we had in the last Congress have left us.
The Senate will need 60 votes to take up the bill next week and Reid said Tuesday he doesnt know if he has enough votes.
