IMMIGRATION/VOTING: “The Senate began voting Thursday [2-15-18] on a series of immigration measures after months of feuding, including a bipartisan compromise aimed at appeasing both parties’ concerns as well as a rival plan drawn up by the White House. Lawmakers are nearing the end of the one week allotted to immigration debate without knowing if any bill could pass in the chamber, or meet the demands of President Donald Trump.
The bipartisan bill, introduced Wednesday night by Sens. Mike Rounds (R., S.D.) and Angus King (I., Maine), appeared close to pinning down the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate, but remained a few votes shy Thursday morning.
Eight Republicans, including Mr. Rounds, had backed the bill Wednesday night and most Democrats were expected to support it. But Mr. Trump has urged senators to support his own plan and reject any other, and the White House said in a statement Thursday that Mr. Trump would likely veto it, making it tougher for the measure to secure additional GOP support…
But the White House said the bipartisan bill came up short… Earlier Thursday, the Homeland Security Department explained its opposition to the bill. Earlier Thursday, the Homeland Security Department explained its opposition to the bill.”
-Kristina Peterson and Siobhan Hughes, “Senate Begins Voting on Immigration Measures,” The Wall Street Journal online, Feb. 15, 2018 02:19am