Harry Reid promises DREAM Act vote during lame-duck session

A day after President Barack Obama urged Congress to pass the DREAM Act during the lame duck session before the new Republican majority can kill the bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promised that he would bring the bill up for a vote during that brief session.

Politico reports:

“I will move the DREAM Act as a standalone bill in the lame duck,” Reid wrote on his Twitter account. “It’s good for the economy & Pentagon says good for natl security.” …

Senate Republicans blocked the legislation before the election when Reid and other Democrats tried to attach it as an amendment to the defense authorization bill.

On Tuesday, Obama met with Hispanic members of Congress, saying he would use his influence to get other senators on board. According to Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who attended the meeting, Obama said: “I will call the members and say I’m for comprehensive immigration reform … I’d like [the DREAM Act] as a down payment.”

Whether it passes is another matter.