DREAM act fails to pass Senate


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The DREAM act died on the Senate floor today, aided by a Republican-led filibuster and a 56-43 vote, short of the 60 supermajority needed to block it.

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act would have allowed children of illegal immigrants older than 16 who lived in the United States for at least five years and had a good record to attend college or join the military.

The act was tacked onto the National Defense Authorization act, which usually passes with bipartisan support, and would also repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy this year.

Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) has been criticized for not pushing the bill through earlier, when the Democrats had a supermajority.

Reid accused Republicans of stalling in an effort to undermine the repeal of DADT and the Dream act.

Although further effort to repeal DADT through the judicial system has been effective, efforts for immigration reform have not advanced as far.