Today, the United States Senate blocked the much publicized immigration bill.
The bill's supporters fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed to limit debate (and to clear the way for passage of the legislation)
Critics of the bill assailed it as offering amnesty to illegal immigrants. The vote was 46 to 53 in favor of limiting the debate.
Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel (R) voted AYE (the pro amnesty position) while Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson (D) voted NO (the no amnesty position).
The vote was a victory for those who strongly criticized the bill's provisions that would have established an easy and unfair pathway to lawful status for many of the estimated 10-20 million illegal immigrants.
Opinion polls in Nebraska and throughout the country overwhelmingly disapproved of the amnesty features this bill would have allowed.
The affirmative, pro-amnesty vote by Senator Hagel (R) was anticipated. Senator Hagel has had a very open and liberal position on immigration over many years. A selection of Chuck Hagel's recent votes:
- Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
- Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
- Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
- Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998)
Despite the calls and requests of the voters from Nebraska to vote against this illegal immigration (amnesty) legislation, only one Senator listened (Nelson).
Today, one of two senators voted according to the wishes of the voters of Nebraska.
Wake up Nebraska!
