Immigration Bill Survives Senate Vote

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The United States Senate voted June 26 to revive broad legislation to overhaul the country's immigration system. The measure was thought to be dead earlier in the month.

Under Senate rules, at least 60 votes from the 100-seat chamber were needed to move the bill forward. The pivotal procedural vote was 64-35 to revive the divisive legislation and offer it up for further debate, according to the Associated Press.

The bill still must overcome another make-or-break vote that could come as early as June 28.  That vote will also require 60 yes votes in the Senate, according to the Associated Press.

As currently drafted, the measure would tighten border security, create a temporary guest worker program, and grant immediate legal status to millions of undocumented workers in this country.

Several proposed amendments, if passed, could alter key parts of the legislation, potentially threatening the support from its current group of backers. Among those amendments are measures to toughen certain penalties against illegal immigrants as well as measures that would emphasize family ties in the new merit-based system proposed for future immigrants.

The bill was crafted by a group of Republican and Democratic senators and the White House after months of negotiations.

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