The Senate voted 82-15 to proceed with debate on the immigration reform bill crafted by the bipartisan “Gang of Eight.” The vote doesn’t mean that the bill necessarily has enough support to pass.
Sen. Mark Pryor voted yea and Sen. John Boozman was one of 15 Republicans to vote nay. Pryor will be a closely watched vote going forward. Without support from conservative Democrats like Pryor, the effort is likely sunk — but unfortunately for reform proponents, he is likely preoccupied with trying to position himself for a tough re-election campaign in 2014.