Senate Leaders Reach Deal to Revive Immigration Bill

Derailed last week, the controversial immigration bill will get a second chance, Senate leaders from both parties announced last night. The statement followed days of closed-door negotiations, the AP reports, and a personal pledge from President Bush to immediately provide $4.4 billion for border security—a key concern of conservative Republican Senators. 

Among other provisions, the bill would grant amnesty to the estimated 12 million immigrants in the country illegally and make them eligible for citizenship. But the decision to bring the legislation to a vote, with several new amendments, does not mean passage is assured, and proponents are already maneuvering to secure the 60 votes needed to defeat an anticipated filibuster. (More immigration stories.)