Here's a rarity in Washington, D.C. these days: bipartisan legislation supported by the president, leading conservatives, a vast majority of congressional Democrats, and a supermajority of the public. It's the DREAM Act, a bill that would create a path to legal status for undocumented youth who demonstrate good moral character, graduate from high school, and go to college or join the military.
Sadly, what is not rare in the nation's capital is the prospect of political gridlock over a worthy measure that advances the national interest and enjoys broad public support. Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) opposed consideration of the DREAM Act before the election on grounds that it shouldn't be part of the National Defense Authorization bill. Now a spokesman for the minority leader contends that bringing up the DREAM Act ignores the results of the November 2 election, which he suggests mandated an exclusive focus on cutting taxes.
But the American public expects Congress to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. It wants Congress to extend tax cuts for the middle class, but it also wants Congress to pass the DREAM Act because educating kids and providing them an opportunity to serve their country makes sense for our economy, and it is the right thing to do.
The truth is that Sen. McConnell is stonewalling on this and other items because his top-stated priority is to prevent President Barack Obama from securing a second term. That means that if the president supports something he will urge his colleagues to block it.
The burgeoning network of youths calling for DREAM action hasn't flinched in the face of this intransigence. When the defense authorization bill failed to advance the DREAMers didn't break stride. In fact, they got bigger, louder, and stronger. And they marched on the lame duck session with singular purpose.
rest at http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/12/this_dream.html
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