The Senate got somewhat derailed today, and has postponed a cloture vote on the DREAM Act until tomorrow morning (as of this writing and subject, as always with the Senate, to change).
The House, however, is bringing this bill that would allow undocumented young people who group up in America to have the opportunity to go to college or serve in the military, to a vote momentarily.
What will this bill do beyond providing opportunity to these young people?
A recent study showed that students covered under the DREAM Act will contribute at least one trillion dollars to the American economy over the course of their lifetimes. Moreover, according to the Congressional Budget Office, enacting the DREAM Act would reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion dollars over ten years. Our military supports the DREAM Act and it is part of the Department of Defense's 2010–2012 Strategic Plan to assist the military in its recruiting efforts. From an educational, economic competitiveness, and troop readiness perspective, support for the DREAM Act is a no-brainer. The intangible benefits of investing in these students’ futures, however, are immeasurable. These students want, and will have, the chance to go on to college or serve in the military to continue giving back to the only country they have ever called home.
That, and arguments of basic decency, seemed doom to fail to convince the "brown children will grow up and steal your jobs and will probably turn into criminals if we give them amnesty" Republicans. Or John McCain.
The vote starts shortly, and the roll call vote will show up here in a bit.
Update! They did it!! With a vote of 216-198, the motion is adopted!