Senate Sends Immigration Bill to House

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, the Senate approved a bill for immigration reform and sent it to the House to be voted on. The 68-32 vote showed that a mostly-divided Senate could come together to create bipartisan legislation that the American public desperately wants. Party leaders hope that since Senate Republicans showed such overwhelming support for the bill (especially once the border security amendment was added) will pressure the Republican-majority House to also approve it, though it seems to want to avoid passing such expensive, bulky legislation and break up the bill into smaller pieces to vote on those individually.

Before the final votes were cast, the bill's drafters, the infamous "Gang of Eight" gave one last argument for the legislation. Most notable among them was Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida and the Hispanic voice of the Republican party. He was congratulated by his group members after his rousing speech, but is now facing scrutiny from both sides; so much so, that he might lose his contention as a possible presidential candidate for 2016. Rand Paul, a primary oppponent for Rubio in 2016, voted against the bill.

The Senate approval was a good start for immigration reform, but now the critical thing is getting the House's approval.

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