“I was stopped by the obstruction five times before I passed. I had the majority, I didn’t have 60 votes. Do I have 60 now? I think I’m close,” the Democrat from Illinois told CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union” Sunday.
Durbin, the Senate’s second Democrat, said he plans to sit down with Republican members and ask if they would consider supporting the DREAM Act, which would allow undocumented young immigrants known as “Dreamers” permanent residency – and potentially citizenship.
“I think I will have some support. It remains to be seen if it is enough,” he said.
Durbin previously told CNN that he does not believe there is enough support in this Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration bill that would overhaul the U.S. immigration system and provide a citizenship roadmap for the country’s 11 million undocumented immigrants.
On Sunday, Durbin said he supported President Joe Biden’s immigration plan, the 2021 Citizenship Act, and called it “too late,” but reiterated his belief that it would be difficult to pass in the 50-50 Senate party division. .
This is breaking news and will be updated.