The Marietta Daily Journal – Immigration debate clears procedural Senate hurdle

WASHINGTON — In Spanish and English, the Senate pushed contentious immigration legislation over early procedural hurdles with deceptive ease on Tuesday as President Barack Obama insisted the “moment is now” to give 11 million immigrants in the United States illegally a chance at citizenship.

Georgia Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-east Cobb) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Moultrie) voted to advance the bill.

“I voted to allow the immigration bill to come to the Senate floor to be debated and amended because illegal immigration is a problem that should be addressed, and securing the border is my number one priority in this debate,” Isakson said. “I look forward to a rigorous and meaningful debate on this issue, and I will reserve judgment on final passage until I see the final product after the amendment process. It is absolutely critical to our state and to this nation that any solution secures the borders, enforces our laws, and restores credibility to our broken immigration system.”

Chambliss said, “Immigration is a serious issue that deserves a serious discussion. … I look forward to a vigorous debate on the bill, and will continue to review the numerous modifications and amendments made during floor consideration with Georgians’ views in mind,”

via The Marietta Daily Journal – Immigration debate clears procedural Senate hurdle.