(RepublicanWire.org) – Frustrated White House press secretary Jen Psaki expressed disappointment on behalf of President Biden’s administration Friday after the Senate parliamentarian rejected their immigration reform proposal from a $2 trillion policy package.
Paski stated, “Well, the decision by the parliamentarian is deeply disappointing and relegates millions to an uncertain and frightening future.” She was very adamant when she said, “The president, the administration, our partners on the Hill vehemently disagree with this decision.”
Psaki said it’s not over yet, adding that they will continue their outreach campaign and work to get amnesty passed. “And we’ll keep fighting to give relief and protection to the many Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers and essential workers who are living in fear,” she said. “Ultimately, it’s time for Congress to stop kicking the can down the road and finally provide certainty and stability to these groups and make other badly needed reforms to our outdated immigration system.”
Psaki was asked if Democrats would try to push for an overhaul of the parliamentarian position. She responded with, “I think they are. We would encourage and support any effort that they make to look at any ways to move immigration forward,” Psaki said. “But I’m not suggesting we’re advocating for a change in the Senate parliamentarian rules at this point in time. I’m just suggesting we support our efforts to get immigration reform done.”
Democrats in both the House and Senate see their reconciliation spending bill as a unique opportunity to pass immigration reform. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY called it “a window of opportunity.”
This could be possible because the filibuster threshold on a reconciliation bill is lowered from 60 to 51. However, it will require Senate Democrats to stay united in order for their plan to completely overhaul the immigration system without any GOP votes.
If the bills passed under reconciliation, they are also subject to “The Byrd Rule.” This rule bars provisions that do not have a fiscal impact from being included in the bill. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough rules which parts fall into this category.