Sens. Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole voted to block the Democrat-sponsored Dream Act, which would have offered conditional legal status to children of illegal immigrants above the age of 16.
Dole’s reasoning:
“It is not fair to provide taxpayer-subsidized education and federal assistance to those who came to this country illegally — especially not at the expense of citizens who may not be afforded the same benefits,” Dole said. “At a time when college costs are increasing and federal student resources are scarce, this is the wrong policy.”
Burr follows up with a statement:
“I do not believe it is right to reward those who have broken our laws, particularly at the expense of those who have followed the rules. I do not support the DREAM Act that would provide financial rewards, like cheaper tuition, to those who come here illegally.”
Meanwhile, Capital Beat’s Mark Binker’s been hanging out with Dole’s opponent, Democrat Jim Neal.