Well, the immigration bill the Senate’s been haggling over for what seems like 10 painful years has narrowly avoided a potential pitfall -- or a redeeming change, depending how you view the amendment proposed by Senator John Cornyn. The former Texas Attorney General's bid to bar felons -- including immigrants who disregarded deportation orders -- from legalization was defeated today when a group of Republican senators voted with majority Democrats. They wound up approving a more limited amendment that prevents some felons, including gang members and sex offenders, from gaining legal status.
Majority Leader Harry Reid, who’s forcing a test-vote on the bill tomorrow, was quoted in the Associated Press story as offering the chamber some profound words of wisdom. His inspiration? Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat. Obviously. "This mess is so big and so deep and so tall, we cannot pick it up at all," the Democratic leader rhymed. Then, for good measure, he added his own verse. "Some would say that is what we have in the Senate today." It’s not quite as good as Karl Rove rapping at the White House correspondents’ dinner, but still. --Megan Feldman