This Issue: Democrats work to finalize budget reconciliation framework; Biden urges vote next week

For the last several months, we've been on high alert as Democrats plotted and negotiated to pass much of Pres. Biden's agenda through budget reconciliation -- a process that allows legislation to pass with only 50 Democratic votes in the Senate instead of the 60 votes needed for passing most other legislation. The catch: the provisions need to be directly related to budgetary matters.

This morning's news reports indicate that Democrats may be closing in on a deal that appeases all factions of the Party. Also, Pres. Biden has reportedly told Congressional Leaders that he wants a vote on budget reconciliation before the end of the next week.

However, other prominent Democrats, including Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who are both very close to the negotiations, are signaling that Democrats aren't as close to a deal as the White House makes it sound.

Still, we could have a much better idea of what immigration provisions, if any, make it into the final deal in the coming days. To be clear, we won't be certain of what's in and what's out until Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) release legislative text. But if a framework, that could come out over the weekend, includes immigration provisions, be on the lookout for new opportunities to take action early next week.

QUICK TIMING COULD HELP STOP AMNESTY

If Democrats can move quickly and hold a vote next week, that could help us on the amnesty front. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has already told Democrats that their first two amnesty proposals would violate the Byrd Rule, which prohibits extraneous matters from being included in budget reconciliation. And Democrats have yet to present their Plan C -- which would offer parole and work permits to illegal aliens -- to the Parliamentarian.

Democrats could still decide to ignore the Parliamentarian's rulings and include amnesty in their final bill. Members of the House Progressive Caucus along with outside pro-amnesty groups have been pressuring Democratic Leaders to do just that.

But make no mistake, should Biden, Pelosi, and Schumer decide to respect the Parliamentarian's decision and keep amnesty out of budget reconciliation, it will be in large part due to the massive activism efforts of our NumbersUSA members.

Over the last several months, our activists have sent hundreds of thousands of messages to Congress and made tens of thousands of phone calls registering opposition to a budget reconciliation amnesty. The massive grassroots activism effort has had an impact in making the provisions more toxic, especially for Democrats in swing states and districts who face reelection next year.

But the fight isn't over until Congress votes on the budget reconciliation bill or, less likely, abandons the effort.

OTHER HILL ITEMS

The Senate Appropriations Committee released the text of the FY2022 Department of Homeland Security spending bill, and there are several concerning provisions.

Most importantly, the bill would codify DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' recent memo that bars enforcement actions against illegal aliens who haven't committed a non-immigration-related crime. Further, it would bar the removal or detention of sponsors of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs) regardless of immigration status and would prohibit the detention of most illegal aliens.

The bill is unlikely to pass in the Senate, but it demonstrates where Democrats plan to begin their negotiations with Republicans in the coming weeks.

Government funding expires in early December, so Congress must take action over the next six weeks to prevent a government shutdown.

Chris Chmielenski NumbersUSA Deputy Director