In the immigration debate, there seems to be a conflict between what many people want and the politically possible. Activists and immigrants hope Congress will soon act to amend the system. However, many lawmakers doubt there will be time to debate the matter this year. And even if they do come up with a compromise, their solution won’t be what a lot of advocates want.  read more »

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is emerging as a top leader for immigration reform. When Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) fell ill and withdrew from chairmanship of the Immigration Subcommittee in the Senate, immigration advocates wondered if Schumer would be able to fill his shoes.

They’ve been pleasantly surprised. At a speech to the Migration Policy Institute’s conference the day before the long-awaited meeting between Congressmembers and the White House on immigration reform, Schumer said:  read more »

From Byrd's press office:

Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) was released from the hospital today and is resting comfortably at home, where he will continue his recuperation and physical therapy following a bout with a staph infection, which he contracted during his stay in the hospital for a minor infection.

“I am pleased to be home in anticipation of celebrating our Nation’s birthday with my loving family. I also thank everyone who sent me their good wishes and prayers.”  read more »

It pays to be on the Banking Committee, especially as Congress prepares to overhaul the financial regulatory system. Twelve of the largest recipients of donations from the financial, real estate and insurance industries sit on the Senate Banking Committee, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.  read more »

June 23 was International Widows Day, and a dozen or so immigrant widows came to the Capitol to draw attention to their very peculiar situation.

Take the case of Natalia Goukassian. She’s a twenty-three year old widow from Russia. Her husband, a U-S citizen, developed a rare cancer while serving in the U-S military and died. Goukassian got survivors benefits from the military. But then her visa application was thrown out. She says, “The military determined me eligible for benefits but immigration didn’t.”  read more »

For a party looking for a new identity, things are not looking up for Republicans. South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is the most recent GOP darling to fall from grace, but he's just the latest in a long list of recent GOP politicians caught cheating.  read more »

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has been used to remove over 250 gay and lesbian service members since President Obama took office, and that has lawmakers up in arms. This week 76 Democrats and 1 Republican House member sent a letter to the president, urging him to carry through with his campaign promise to end the Clinton-era law.  read more »

So what do you do if you're in Congress and a popular president from your own party makes spending recommendations? Ignore them. That is if you're a Democrat in the 111th Congress.

The Hill is reporting House Democrats are defying President Obama's proposed $19.8 billion in budget cuts:  read more »

Weekly update from the staff of the Senate's longest serving member, Robert Byrd (D-WV):

"Senator Byrd continues to improve but remains in the hospital while he undergoes physical therapy and treatment for a staph infection. He is not expected to be in the office this week.  read more »

In an op-ed published yesterday, Sen. Chris Dodd reversed his position on gay marriage. From his website:

"I believe that, when my daughters grow up, barriers to marriage equality for same-sex couples will seem as archaic, and as unfair, as the laws we once had against inter-racial marriage. And I want them to know that, even if he was a little late, their dad came down on the right side of history."  read more »