WASHINGTON — Even as the Senate voted Tuesday to restart the stalled debate on immigration legislation, Democratic support for the bill appeared to be slipping, and could jeopardize it as much as fierce Republican opposition does.
A handful of Democrats who could be crucial to the bill's fate, including California's Barbara Boxer, remains undecided. And Tuesday, five Democrats who welcomed debate on the issue a month ago switched position and voted to oppose further discussion of the bill.
The 64-35 procedural vote to move to a debate -- four more votes than the required 60 -- resuscitated the controversial bill, which collapsed earlier this month in a partisan dispute. But the vote also exposed hardened opposition among Republicans and increased skepticism among Democrats.
The Senate plans to start debate today on 26 amendments to the bill. A crucial vote on whether to end the debate will probably come Thursday. That will also require 60 votes, a threshold that may be impossible to reach if wavering Democrats reject the bill.
Democrats who are wary of the bill worry about its changes to the family-based immigration system, its border-security provisions, its impact on American workers and its sprawling scope. Conservatives have branded it "amnesty" for lawbreakers who they say should be forced out.
Nine Democrats voted against debating the bill. Illinois Sen. Richard J. Durbin, who as the No. 2 Democrat is responsible for lining up support for the party's priorities, called them "a tough bunch." There had been efforts to appeal to them, he said, "but there's a limit to how far you can go."
The Democrats who changed their minds and voted against debating the bill were Evan Bayh of Indiana, Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, John D. Rockefeller IV of West Virginia and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan.
Bayh, McCaskill and Stabenow said Tuesday that they would watch to see how the bill was amended, but that they were doubtful they would support it.
"I'll keep an open mind," McCaskill said, but she quickly added that she could not imagine the bill could get her vote.
Several Democrats who voted to proceed with a debate -- including Boxer, Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Jim Webb of Virginia -- also remain skeptical that they will be able to vote for the bill.
