Wednesday is a key day in the CIR negotiations. Sen. Majority Leader Reid has announced that if the Senate cannot reach a compromise by Wednesday he will reintroduce S.2611, the 2006 bill that was passed by the Senate in May. Sen. Reid is apparently using the threat of reintroducing S.2611 as a means to get both Democrats and Republicans to finish their work on CIR.
As Politico.com put it, “With senators negotiating behind closed doors, those outside have been left to interpret body language and public statements for clues on lawmakers’ progress.”
As a hedge against the Senators passing CIR, we are still working behind the scenes on a retrogression relief amendment for Schedule A occupations. No amendment has been announced as of yet; however we are optimistic that everyone’s hard work will be rewarded soon.