No clear winner among four immigration bills

WASHINGTON—After two-days of inaction, the Senate plans to vote on multiple immigration proposals Thursday, but it’s not clear whether any has enough support to pass. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced late Wednesday that lawmakers would consider at least four immigration amendments Thursday. Earlier this week, McConnell expressed support for a bill from Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, which mirrors what the White House previously requested. The proposal would provide a pathway to citizenship for 1.8 million young immigrants, invest $25 billion in new border security measures, and significantly slash the number of legal immigrants permitted into the country each year. Democrats don’t support the Grassley bill, and McConnell strategically scheduled lawmakers to vote on it last, attempting to force passage on a conservative bill—or nothing at all. Knowing McConnell’s preference makes it harder for Republicans to vote for more bipartisan proposals. Senators expect to vote first on a narrow proposal from Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and John McCain, R-Ariz., to protect those under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Next, McConnell scheduled a vote on a sanctuary cities amendment offered by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., followed by a centrist immigration reform bill from Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Mike Rounds, R-S.D. McConnell said the Senate would wrap up the immigration debate this week, but none of the immigration proposals filed so far have a clear path to the needed 60 votes.