Democrats blocked a vote Tuesday on cracking down on sanctuary cities as the first day of the immigration debate began with a whimper.
Sen. Charles E. Schumer said debating sanctuary cities would be getting off “on the wrong foot,” insisting this week’s floor fight should only be about illegal immigrant “Dreamers” and border security.
The early jockeying underscored the problems the Senate is about to face.
Democrats had begged for a “fair” process to debate immigration, but are now worried about just how wide-ranging that debate will be, and are trying to shape the amendments that will be offered.
The Senate voted 97-1 on Monday to head off the chance for a filibuster to debate the bill — but Democrats have yet to yield their remaining time so that the bill can actually be fully debated and amended.
“The clock is ticking,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.
He tried to make the first amendment up for debate a proposal by Sen. Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania Republican, that would strip some federal economic development grants from communities that refuse to cooperate with federal deportation authorities.
Mr. McConnell said Democrats could then offer whatever amendment they wished as the second vote.
Mr. Schumer objected, saying he only wants a narrow range of discussions and sanctuary cities is beyond that.
“It doesn’t address Dreamers, nor does it address border security,” he said.
He said Democrats will back a proposal offered by Sen. Chris Coons, Delaware Democrat, and Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, that would grant legal status to perhaps 3 million illegal immigrants in exchange for a study of future border security needs.
That proposal does not include any guaranteed funding for the border wall, though it does direct foreign aid money to Central American to try to convince countries to do more to keep their people from fleeing to the U.S.
The bill also would give illegal immigrants the ability to get in-state tuition at public colleges, overturning a federal prohibition on the practice.
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