What if I told you we could have a path to citizenship for COVID-19 essential workers without having to convince 10 Republicans in the Senate? It's possible: through budget reconciliation.
Yesterday our @GovernorVA Northam became the first Governor to tell @JoeBiden to do it.
Yesterday our @GovernorVA Northam became the first Governor to tell @JoeBiden to do it.
If a pathway to citizenship for essential workers is passed as part of the 2nd reconciliation economic package, then we only need a simple majority in the Senate, and *checks* yep, we have it.
We can make this happen! The power Dems have gained means nothing if we squander it.
We can make this happen! The power Dems have gained means nothing if we squander it.
VA is the *only* state in the country whose senators both sit on the Senate Budget Committee. We've been calling on Sen @timkaine and Sen @MarkWarner to be bold and push a pathway to citizenship for essential workers.
They are concerned that a parliamentary rule known as the Byrd rule makes it unclear as to whether such measures can pass in reconciliation.
But we want them to try.
But we want them to try.
I'm proud to have been a member of @VA_Immigrants and a member of the VA Office of New Americans Advisory Board to help make this happen.
Gov Northam's letter was sent not only to the President, but to the entire Virginia congressional delegation.
Gov Northam's letter was sent not only to the President, but to the entire Virginia congressional delegation.
Our Senators now know they have the power of the Commonwealth behind them!
Please, take a moment and CALL YOUR SENATORS at 202.224.3121 and let them know you want them to pass a pathway to citizenship for essential workers as part of the second reconciliation economic package.
Please, take a moment and CALL YOUR SENATORS at 202.224.3121 and let them know you want them to pass a pathway to citizenship for essential workers as part of the second reconciliation economic package.
Some undocumented essential worker stats to ponder over (courtesy the Commonwealth Institute):
Regardless, this is simply the right thing to do. The @GOP will continue to obstruct, talk militarizing the border as a condition to any reform, and yes, they will challenge use of the budget reconciliation. The anti-immigrant #TantonNetwork will foam at the mouth if this passes.
And @stephenm's head will explode.
But it's a window of opportunity, and I for one am glad our Governor saw fit to tell President Biden not to waste it.
#EssentialWorkers are essential.
But it's a window of opportunity, and I for one am glad our Governor saw fit to tell President Biden not to waste it.
#EssentialWorkers are essential.
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