Spirits among conservative critics of the immigration bill have brightened today following several Senate votes that indicate at least 40 senators could block the bill during a cloture vote tomorrow.
Well-placed sources tell me that activists are focusing their attention on the following list of senators: Sam Brownback (R.-Kan.), Richard Burr (R.-N.C.), Saxby Chambliss (R.-Ga.), Larry Craig (R.-Idaho), Pete Domenici (R.-N.M.), Byron Dorgan (D.-N.D.), John Ensign (R.-Nev.), Mike Enzi (R.-Wyo.), Judd Gregg (R.-N.H.), Johnny Isakson (R.-Ga.), Jon Kyl (R.-Ariz.), Mary Landrieu (D.-La.), Trent Lott (R.-Miss.), Mitch McConnell (R.-Ky.), Claire McCaskill (D.-Mo.), Ben Nelson (D.-Neb.), Mark Pryor (D.-Ark.), Debbie Stabenow (D.-Mich.), John Sununu (R.-N.H.), Jon Tester (D.-Mont.), George Voinovich (R.-Ohio), Jim Webb (D.-Va.), and John Warner (R.-Va.).
These individuals are apparently still non-committal about how they will vote on the final bill or could be swayed depending on votes either for or against amendments to the bill.
Conservatives’ renewed optimism came after three votes on amendments to the bill, all of which garnered at least 41 votes — the number needed to block cloture.
• An amendment by Sen. John Cornyn to bar gang members, sex offenders, terrorists, and alien absconders from receiving amensty was defeated 46-51.
• An amendment by Sen. Jim DeMint (R.-S.C.) to requiring health-care coverage for holders of nonimmigrant Z-visas was Defeated 43-55.
• An amendment by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D.-N.M.) to remove the requirement that guest workers leave the United States before they are able to renew their visa was defeated 41-57.
Although these amendments fell short of the votes needed for passage, the efforts of activists have made a difference. The outreach by conservative groups to mobilize their supports, increasing phone calls to Senate offices and activism back home, may be working.
UPDATE — June 7, 3:25 p.m.: I just got a call from Sen. Jon Tester’s office. The Montana Democrat is firmly against the bill and won’t be swayed, I was told.
On that note, I want to make clear that the list above was provided to me because the senators on it are apparently being pressured by the bill’s supporters. I didn’t come up with the list; I’m simply reporting what’s going on.
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