WASHINGTON (CNN) — A top Senate Democrat has offered a pair of amendments to an immigration reform bill bolstering rights for same-sex couples, a politically risky move that threatens to shatter Republican support for the sweeping legislation. Vermont Sen. Patrick’s Leahy’s amendments would recognize same-sex marriages in which one spouse is an American, and also…
(CNN) — President Barack Obama supports a proposal to allow Americans to seek legal immigration status for same-sex partners, a plan that could undermine bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform. Obama indicated at a news conference in Costa Rica on Friday that the idea was “the right thing to do,” but acknowledged that such a…
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A prominent gay rights advocacy group says a key congressional Democrat will push for new rights for same-sex couples in the Senate’s immigration reform bill — a move which could undermine the legislation’s bipartisan support. According to a spokesman for Immigration Equality, Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy intends to offer an amendment…
I cannot believe in the current political climate that the Republican National Committee (RNC) decided to reaffirm their commitment to oppose same-sex marriage. As some of their members have decided to come out for marriage equality, the RNC has decided to dig their heels in. Can someone help me understand why a political party would…
In promoting the “Gang of 8” immigration bill, Sen. Marco Rubio emphasized one point: “This is not amnesty.” Whether you use Rubio’s definition – “the forgiveness of something,” or Merriam-Webster’s – “the act of an authority by which pardon is granted,” I agree. This is not amnesty. Forgiveness and pardon suggest that any debt is…
HOUSTON – As the immigration debate in the U.S. Senate heats up, findings from the 32nd annual Kinder Institute Houston Area Survey show that support for immigration reform has grown significantly among Houstonians. Other findings in this year’s survey: Area residents overwhelmingly support expanding criminal background checks for gun sales, support for gay rights has…
By Angela M. Kelley Editor’s note: Angela M. Kelley is vice president for immigration policy and advocacy at the Center for American Progress, a progressive research and policy institute. (CNN) — Working diligently for over four months, a bipartisan group of senators — the so-called Gang of Eight — has accomplished a remarkable feat: They…
WASHINGTON (CNN) — As President Barack Obama begins what could be a pivotal week, with gun control, immigration reform and border security, and the budget all in the spotlight, a new national survey indicates the president’s approval rating has inched above the 50% mark. But according to a CNN/ORC International poll released Monday, the president’s…
SAN DIEGO – Former state Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher has announced his endorsement of pro-jobs Democrat Lorena Gonzalez’s campaign for the 80th Assembly District. Fletcher, who served in the California state Assembly from 2008 to 2012, is a Marine Corps combat veteran and the chairman of a broad coalition in support of comprehensive immigration reform. During…
Whilst the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) remains on the books the Obama administration is unable to place on hold marriage-based green card applications for bi-national same-sex couples stated Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano at a White House briefing. The Washington Blade reported that Napolitano asserted DHS can’t take such action, which could slow…
