Senate Committee To Consider Adding LGBT Couples To Immigration Reform

Next week the Senate Judiciary Committee will reportedly consider adding LGBT couples to the immigration reform bill presently before Congress. Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed that such a change will surely add fuel to the already hotly contentious debate.

Although the bipartisan "Gang of Eight" senators did not include language allowing Americans in same-sex relationships to sponsor their foreign partner for a green card in the base bill, Democratic lawmakers and aides alike said its inclusion during the committee markup, which begins next week, appears likely.

"I expect that it would be an amendment that could be adopted by the committee. … I hope it will receive a majority vote in the committee," Judiciary Committee member Sen. Richard Blumenthal said Tuesday. Although Chairman Patrick Leahy is expected to offer the amendment, at least officially his office insists no final decision has been made.

"The Chairman believes that equality and family unification need to be a part of this legislation but he has not decided his amendment strategy yet," Leahy spokeswoman Jessica Brady said in an email. "All amendments must be filed by next Tuesday night (the 7th) at 5pm. Then members will decide what to offer in the Committee mark ups."

GOP Sen. Jeff Flake tells Buzzfeed that adding LGBT couples to the bill would be a "deal breaker" for Republicans. Hit the link for much more analysis.