The immigration reform bill is coming back up in the Senate next week and with it the debate among Democrats about whether to protect same-sex bi-national couples or just wring their hands as a sign of sympathy.
The political equation hasn’t changed since Democrats, with a loud show of reluctance, decided not to include those protections in the bill that the Senate Judiciary Committee ultimately passed. Republicans, including Marco Rubio, the alleged future of the party, continue to insist that any such amendment would be a lavender-colored poison pill.
Of course, there is an option that would make the Democrats look good without actually accomplishing anything. The amendment could be brought to the floor for a vote. Since we now live in the era of the supermajority, where 60 votes are needed for anything to pass the Senate, the amendment wouldn’t gather enough votes to pass. However, Democrats could be on the record as supporting it and Republicans could be on the record as…well, you fill in the blank.
In its unending quest to duck its primary responsibility of governing, the Senate may just be waiting for the Supreme Court ruling on DOMA later this month. If the Supremes rule that DOMA is unconstitutional, gay American citizens may be able to sponsor their spouse for immigration benefits and once again Congress would be spared having to break a sweat over us.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Denver303
Can someone *please* tell me who the couple in the photo is? I saw that couple a month ago but lost the website and want to have a similar look at my wedding! Please help!!
alexoloughlin
Relevant to this article, we in the UK have for years allowed foreign born partners to reside and work in the UK and you don’t have to be in any legal union as long as you can show proof of interdependence for two years.
Surprisingly, Queerty has failed to print an enormously huge victory in London yesterday for Equal Marriage as it heads for passage through the Upper Chamber into law shortly. Passage of this law will strike down the two-year interdependent requirement for would-be foreign born spouses once and for all.
I don’t understand why a separate bill for bi-national couples can’t be tabled, independent of the Immigration Bill if it means wrecking the current Bill. Perhaps someone could explain? I don’t know the intricacies of the American legislative process.
doug105
@Denver303: Best idea I can come up with is to suggest a google image search which shows only 3 pages to go though.
doug105
@Denver303: Best idea I can come up with is to suggest a google image search which shows only 3 pages to go though.
http://www.domaproject.org/2012/06/daniel-and-yohandel-to-celebrate-their-anniversary-by-filing-for-a-green-card-and-fighting-for-full-equality.html
Think its this one.
Denver303
Thanks Doug!