WASHINGTON, June 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate Thursday scrapped the amendment-laden immigration reform bill, unable to end debate on the measure criticized as amnesty for illegals.
Only 46 senators voted in favor of ending debate on the measure, 14 short of the 60 needed, while 53 voted for continuation, killing efforts to bring the measure itself to a vote.
There was a great deal of bipartisanship in getting the bill this far, although liberals said Republican amendments didn't go far enough in protecting the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants currently in the United States. Conservatives claimed the bill was a form of amnesty and not punitive enough, The Hill reported.
President Bush had lobbied for the bill, which would have created a "path to citizenship" for illegal immigrants who registered, paid a fine and back taxes and learned English, along with stepped up border security.
Washington sources told CNN immigration reform isn't likely to appear on the congressional agenda again until after the 2008 election.
