Capitol Report New Mexico - The New Mexico State Senate turned back three attempts Monday (Feb. 21) to attach amendments to rescind the state’s current policy allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses onto a piece of legislation sponsored by a Senate Democrat — but Republicans were able to force a couple floor votes, thus getting Democrats on record regarding an issue that riles a large number of voters across the state. Senate Republicans tried to add amendments to Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), that concerned license requirements for drivers under the age of 18, triggering a vigorous floor debate that took up most of the afternoon. Sen. Bill Sharer (R-Farmington), Sen. Clint Harden (R-Clovis) and Sen. John Ryan (R-Albuquerque) each tried to add floor amendments that attempted to tack on provisions that would keep illegal immigrants from acquiring New Mexico drivers licenses.
But Democrats prevailed 25-15 in a floor vote that the Sharer amendment was not germane to SB9 — which prompted Sen. Rod Adair (R-Roswell) to say from the floor that “if this amendment is not germane then virtually no amendment is germane.” Later, Harden’s amendment was brought up — then shot down — and then, Ryan’s amendment met the same fate. “We know why all these amendments are coming down,” Senate Majority Floor Leader Michael Sanchez (D-Belen) said. “This is about politics and getting people on the record for a vote.” Read full story here: News New Mexico
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