With the U.S. Senate paralyzed by continuing abuse of its 60-vote rule to end filibusters, a federal judge will hear arguments next week on a lawsuit by DREAM Act eligible youth, Common Cause and Members of Congress that seeks to have the rule declared unconstitutional.

The outcome of the 2012 elections, in which record numbers of Latino voters came out to vote and poll after poll expressed that their priority issue was immigration, reiterated that the majority of the American people do support the DREAM Act. However, despite this and the fact that 70% of Americans support the bill and the House passed it with a majority vote in 2010, it failed to pass in the Senate due to the filibuster rule. Although a majority, 55 Senators, voted yes, a minority blocked this DREAM from becoming a reality. Gearing up to another fight for the DREAM Act in 2013, members of the Dream Action Coalition make their case before a federal judge to stop the minority from ruling in the United States Senate.

Common Cause et al. v. Biden et al comes just a few weeks before a new Congress convenes and President Obama is inaugurated for a second term. It asks the third branch of government, the Judiciary, to enforce the Constitution, uphold the principle of majority rule and permit the legislative and executive branches to function as the nation’s framers intended.

WHO: DREAM Act Eligible Youth: Erika Andiola, Celso Mireles, and Caesar Vargas
Common Cause
U.S. Reps. Michael Michaud, D-ME, Hank Johnson, D-GA and Keith Ellison D-MN
Attorney Emmet Bondurant of Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore

WHAT: Federal court hearing in Common Cause et.al v Biden et.al.

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 10, 9:30 a.m., followed by 11:30 am press conference at court

WHERE: U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
333 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, D.C.
Courtroom 24A, 4th floor; Judge Emmett Sullivan presiding

A press conference outside the main entrance to the courthouse on Constitution Avenue will begin after the conclusion of the hearing – approximately 11:30 a.m.

###

The DREAM Action Coalition (DRM) is a strong voice committed to the fight for the DREAM Act and the rights of undocumented youth. We are the political and lobbying arm of the DREAM movement and for those who passionately support the DREAM Act.