For Immediate Release
September 21, 2010
Contact: Patricia Guadalupe (202) 546-2536
Email: pguadalupe@naleo.org
NALEO DISAPPOINTED WITH SENATE ACTION
ON DREAM ACT
The work does not end with this vote
WASHINGTON, DC - The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) released the following statement regarding the vote on the Motion to Proceed on the Department of Defense Authorization Act (S.3454):
“The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) is deeply disappointed that a vote on whether to move forward on the Defense Authorization Act failed to gain enough votes to proceed. Sixty votes were needed, and the measure fell short 56-43.
Debate on the Defense Authorization Act would have allowed for a DREAM Act amendment, which ensures that motivated and accomplished immigrant students brought here at a young age through no fault of their own continue their education and journey toward becoming full Americans.
The DREAM Act strengthens our economy and society by enabling thousands of students to pursue opportunities in college, the military or trade schools. The legislation has wide bipartisan support in the Latino community and among Latino elected officials of all ideologies, and we had looked forward to that support reflected in the Senate vote.
Latino voters are closely following these developments in the U.S. Senate, and we will be looking for leaders who support the interests of the Latino community and of these immigrant students.
NALEO’s constituency includes more than 6,000 Latino elected and appointed officials nationwide, and our Board and members are comprised of Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Together with a broad and bipartisan coalition that includes the military, business, labor, faith-based and civic groups, we will continue to strongly support the DREAM Act and work toward its passage and remind Congress that Latino voters will be heard on Election Day.”
“The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) is deeply disappointed that a vote on whether to move forward on the Defense Authorization Act failed to gain enough votes to proceed. Sixty votes were needed, and the measure fell short 56-43.
Debate on the Defense Authorization Act would have allowed for a DREAM Act amendment, which ensures that motivated and accomplished immigrant students brought here at a young age through no fault of their own continue their education and journey toward becoming full Americans.
The DREAM Act strengthens our economy and society by enabling thousands of students to pursue opportunities in college, the military or trade schools. The legislation has wide bipartisan support in the Latino community and among Latino elected officials of all ideologies, and we had looked forward to that support reflected in the Senate vote.
Latino voters are closely following these developments in the U.S. Senate, and we will be looking for leaders who support the interests of the Latino community and of these immigrant students.
NALEO’s constituency includes more than 6,000 Latino elected and appointed officials nationwide, and our Board and members are comprised of Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Together with a broad and bipartisan coalition that includes the military, business, labor, faith-based and civic groups, we will continue to strongly support the DREAM Act and work toward its passage and remind Congress that Latino voters will be heard on Election Day.”
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ABOUT NALEO
The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials is the leadership organization of the nation's more than 6,000 Latino elected and appointed officials.