May 9, 2013: The Senate Judiciary Committee Begins Mark-Up of Bipartisan Immigration Bill
This morning the Senate Judiciary Committee began its deliberation of the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” immigration bill and the 300 amendments filed by Senators. Completing the process, called a “mark-up”, will be arduous and contentious. Many of the amendments help to strengthen various components of the legislation, while other amendments are designed to serve as “poison pills” to destroy support for the bill. This is the way of Washington and Capitol Hill, and has been for over 200 years.
The final bill – if a bill is actually approved by the Committee – will likely be substantially altered from the bill as originally filed. The Senate Committee will continue to proceed through the amendments in a logical, rational process, covering first Border Security topics, and then moving Green Cards and “Immigrant Integration” issues, Interior Enforcement, and then Temporary Visas. Each of these sections will provide its own drama, arguments pro and con, and attempts to scuttle the overall immigration bill.
If you love the minutiae, you can follow the action at: http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/.
