The Nation - News from April 28, 1988

Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Tex.) blocked the Senate from acting on a bill that would extend the alien amnesty program until the end of November, charging it would raise false hopes for illegal immigrants. “Let’s not mislead the people,” Gramm said. “This bill is not going to become law.” Gramm stopped an attempt by Majority Leader Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) to call up the bill, already approved by the House, and Byrd prepared for a possible filibuster on the measure. A vote on the motion to limit debate, however, could not come before Friday unless an agreement is reached, and the Senate plans to begin a week-long recess at the end of the week. The one-year amnesty program expires May 4, in the middle of the recess.