Udall, Heinrich will vote ‘no’ unless DREAMers are protected

Jan. 18--U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, both D-NM, announced Wednesday that they will not support a continuing resolution needed to keep the government open unless it has protections for DREAMers.

Congress needs to reach an agreement by midnight Friday to avoid a government shutdown the next day. Republicans in Congress proposed a 30-day extension Tuesday that would provide a six-year renewal of the Children's Health Insurance Program and temporarily suspend three taxes related to the Affordable Care Act.

But Udall and Heinrich both said Wednesday they will not vote for the extension unless it includes protections for young immigrants brought into the country as children. An Obama-era program to shield those immigrants from deportation and allow them to stay and work in the country legally has been discontinued by President Donald Trump and is scheduled to end next month.

Udall said that 800,000 young DREAMers could be endangered, including 7,000 in New Mexico, if Congress doesn't act.

"President Trump and the Republicans have a choice," Udall said. "They can either come to the table and negotiate in good faith on a responsible funding agreement and protection for DREAMers, or they can cause a government shutdown."

Heinrich blamed Trump for the impasse.

"Members on both sides of the aisle have been working to reach agreement and meet our basic responsibilities, including veterans' funding, disaster relief and finally passing the DREAM Act, but the president and his right-wing supporters in Congress seem intent on steering the country off a funding cliff," he said.

Rep. Steve Pearce, R-NM, has introduced his own legislation seeking a compromise for the DREAMers. He has opposed short-term spending extensions in the past, but said Wednesday he has not yet decided on how he will vote this time.

"Short-term CR's are no way to run the government. It affects our military operations -- jets can't fly, soldiers can't be properly trained -- and it affects the American people," Pearce said. "On the other side, Congress has a responsibility to fund the government."

According to The Associated Press, talks among a bipartisan group of leaders of both the House and Senate convened Wednesday, but participants reported little progress. House Speaker Paul Ryan has said that he will not bring an immigration bill to the floor unless it has the support of President Trump.

The House is scheduled to vote first on the proposed short-term extension. If passed, it would then need votes from at least nine Democrats to pass in the Senate.

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