By Ray O'Hanlon
Reform backers fell two votes short of the "Magnificent 70," but the margin of victory was nevertheless impressive.
The United States Senate voted 68-32 Thursday for S.744, The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.
The bill includes a provision that would allow 10,500 renewable E-3 visas for the Irish with no sunset.
Passage of the bill represented a big win for the bipartisan "Gang of Eight," the members of which crafted the measure, and a particular triumph for the bill's lead Democratic sponsor, Senator Charles Schumer who penned the Irish E-3 provision.
The reform debate now shifts to the far more uncertain ground that is the U.S. House of Representatives.
