

The Senate voted 82-15 to end debate to proceed to an immigration bill.

The Hill reported:

The Senate voted 82-15 on Tuesday to end debate on a motion to proceed to a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

Senators are expected to vote in an hour to proceed to the bill, which will launch a weeks-long floor debate on immigration reform.

Three of the four Republican members of the Gang of Eight — Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) — were joined by more than 20 other GOP senators in voting to advance the debate. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) supports the measure, but missed the vote. That strong support is expected to dwindle if certain amendments aren’t agreed to.

“As an elected leader in my party, it’s my view that we at least need to try to improve a situation that, as far as I can tell, very few people believe is working well either for our own citizens, or for those around the world who aspire to become Americans,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said ahead of the vote Tuesday. “I’ll vote to debate it and for the opportunity to amend it, but in the days ahead, there will need to be major changes to this bill if it’s going to become law.”