An aerial view of the Capitol Hill, Photo Credit: Office of the Architect of the Capitol/Wikipedia
Democrats in the Senate agreed Monday to a deal with Republican Majority Leader on an immigration deal for protection of dreamers in exchange for support for a spending measure that allows reopening of the federal government.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said Democrats are reaching an arrangement with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who has promised legislation to save dreamers from deportation.
“After several discussions, offers and counteroffers, the Republican leader and I have come to an arrangement. We will vote today to reopen the government to continue negotiating a global agreement,” Schumer said.
“Now there is a real pathway to get a bill on the floor and through the Senate. It is a good solution, and I will vote for it,” Schumer added.
The three-day government partial closure came after a deadlock in the chamber over a spending bill necessary to fund the federal government working.
Republicans, who have a slim 51 seat majority need support of Democrats to enact legislation that needs at least 60 votes.
Democrats have been calling for protection of about 800,000 dreamers, young people who came to America as undocumented children but have grown up here and form a workforce. The dreamers faced an uncertain future after President Donald Trump said he would rescind their status, which was given to them under his predecessor Barack Obama under the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program.
