Senators are now voting to move forward with consideration of the Immigration Bill via amendments to Bill 1639.

12:30:  roll call continues .... Lots of ayes. 

While Senators stroll around the floor -- I'm wondering if any of them are going to offer an amendment suggested by Cliff Thier:  

It occurred to me that there might be a very short and very simple amendment that would ensure the support of a majority of the citizens of the United States for the immigration bill. John McCain ought to be demanding space be found in the bill's 600+ pages for this single sentence:

"Every citizen of the United States shall be entitled to the same treatment for taxation liability as this bill provides for individuals who have entered the United States illegally."

This would mean that we will all be exempt from taxation for the same number of years (all) that illegal aliens would be exempt from taxation. Since illegal immigrants won't have to pay taxes for the years that they have worked in the United States, legal citizens should similarly be entitled to that benefit.

Surely there breathes a Senator who will fight for the rights of citizens to be treated equally with individuals who have broken the law. Who could vote against this?

I can't wait to get my refund. 

Nor can I, Mr. Thier.  But neither of us should hold our breath.  Better yet, bring out the oxygen tanks.  The Senate vote was 64-35 to consider the bill.