Phil Gingrey
Georgia Congressman Phil Gingrey, R-Marietta,voice opposition to the bill, but did not vote because he was "unavoidably detained," according to his staff.
While the House approved the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act by a vote of 216-198, the fate of the DREAM Act remained uncertain as the Senate postponed a test vote on the measure.
With the lame duck session of the 111th Congress rapidly coming to a close, Senate Republicans have vowed to block any measures from reaching the floor before votes on a spending bill to keep the federal government running and whether and how to extend Bush-era tax cuts.
DREAM Act proponents say Senate inaction or a vote against the measure would be a major setback for the drive for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation's immigration laws for years to come because of the pending Republican takeover of the House and Democrats nervous about their re-election prospects in 2012.
"The prospect of any type of immigration legislation over the next two years is slim to none," said Jorge Mario-Cabrera, spokesman for the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights of Los Angeles, one of several groups that lobbied Congress for the DREAM Act's passage.
The vote by Georgia's congressional delegation was largely split along party lines.
Republicans Jack Kingston, Lynn Westmoreland, Tom Price, John Linder, Tom Graves and Paul Broun voted against the measure.
The only Democrat to vote against it was John Barrow. Democrats Sanford Bishop, Henry Johnson, John Lewis and David Scott voted for the measure. Democrat Jim Marshall did not vote.
Click here to see Gingrey's video statement concerning the DREAM act.
Voter you are absolutely correct. The last gubernatorial election here in Georgia proves your point when a corrupt, bankrupt politician is elected. I find it difficult to understand how so many can be manipulated by the Pied Pipers of the republication party leading all the Rats. I don’t think it’s difficult to understand when you look around and see the wake of destruction and all the suffering that years of republican power has left behind. Praying on the sheepeople masses to further their self serving agenda. I also have become distressed by their ability to create an “us vs. them” mentality in this country. (Example: file13’s comment) This is not a country of us and them it is a country of “WE the People.”
Why does this guy continue to get elected? He is totally useless as a reprehensive of this district. My first consideration when selecting a candidate is they should always stay focused on the next election and do nothing to upset the apple cart.
"It's a moot point..this bill is DOA when it reaches the senate."
Fingers crossed. IMO, it shouldn't have made it this far.