Natalie Gonnella
Senator Richard Lugar is the only Republican Senator known to be 100% in favor of the current version of the DREAM Act. Although the legislation is unlikely to pass during the lame duck session, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is expected to call for a vote on the bill this week (after last Thursday's delay.)
A co-sponsor of previous versions of the DREAM Act, Senator Lugar has been committed to the bill throughout its chaotic history. On December 9, Lugar once again indicated that he would vote in favor of the proposal, so long as the tax cut deal has been approved.
The Senator has said he supports the act “because it encourages young immigrants to continue their education and earn a degree or serve our country in the uniformed services…as we increase vigilance at the borders and in the visa issue process, we can increase security here at home by identifying those immigrants who have been going to school.”
In introducing the bill, Senator Lugar also commented that: "Undocumented young people usually arrive with their families and have no understanding of their immigration status…they should be encouraged to complete an education and move toward permanent residency."
His continued support for the DREAM Act and other Democratic backed measures such as the new START treaty, has angered some tea party and conservative voters, inciting potential challengers, such as Indiana State Representative Mike Delph, to step up their consideration of a 2012 confrontation. The Senator has not had a primary competitor since he was first elected in 1976.
Of the growing disapproval from the view that he is catering too much to the Democrats’ lame duck demands, Senator Lugar has stated: "these are just areas where I’ve had stances for a long time…I didn’t adopt them to be contrary. I think what’s occurring is, the Democrats are trying to get passage for things in the last stages of their majority, so a number of these issues have arisen because of that. I have no other explanation."
Although it is trivial for Democrats' to force end-of-term votes on controversial topics (which require further debate) amongst more pressing economic issues, Senator Lugar’s defiance on the DREAM Act highlights the growing political challenge many Republicans may find when faced with topics like immigration. Should GOP members vote in favor of legislation like the DREAM Act, they risk isolating many within the conservative base. However, if they vote against similar bills, they face further alienating Hispanic voters, and as many DREAM advocates have vowed to mobilize against policymakers in opposition of the bill, this could have detrimental effects for future election cycles.
In the lead up to 2012, it is imperative for Republicans to genuinely explore and evolve the party's position on these types of policy issues. With the increasing influence of the Latino vote, as well as the potential for party fracture, GOP success may depend on it.
Tea Party you must take this guy out during the Primary.
Indiana is a Conservative state, it should not have a Liberal in the Senate.
Posted by: chris | December 12, 2010 at 04:47 PM