On May 21, 2013, the Senate’s Immigration Bill was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Most bills die in committee so this is a significant step towards passing meaningful immigration reform.
Today, Senator Chuck Schumer (D- N.Y.) stated that the Bill will be passed by the Senate by July 4, 2013. Then it will move on to the House of Representatives. The Bill was authored by a bipartisan group, known as the Gang of 8, of 4 Democrats and 4 Republicans.
The trouble will come when the Bill hits the House of Representatives. Many believe that it won’t survive or will be changed dramatically from it’s current substance. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R- FL.) stated that the Bill will be stalled in the House. The House is planning on reviewing and writing their own immigration bill, piece by piece. This could hinder the passing of any immigration reform until the beginning of next year. The Chair of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Bob Goodlatte (R-VA.) stated that it is better to look at the Senate’s Bill and review it piece by piece, step by step and add the House’s own priorities.
Keep in mind that Democrats control the Senate and Republicans control the House of Representatives.