The House defeated the first of two GOP immigration bills Thursday, rejecting an enforcement-heavy approached favored by conservatives that would have mixed a narrow legalization for “Dreamers” with a major boost in border and interior enforcement.
The bill was expected to fail, but it still marked a blow for conservatives who’d said it was a viable alternative that improved security without offering a full amnesty.
It was defeated 231-193.
Next up for a vote is a more moderate bill that combines a full pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and other immigrants with less comprehensive enforcement measures.
That too is expected to fail.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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