Montana Democratic Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester joined Republicans Wednesday in voting to block the Justice Department from moving forward in its lawsuit against Arizona’s immigration law.
The amendment, which was sponsored by Republican Sens. Jim DeMint, Arkansas, and David Vitter, Lousiana, failed on a 43-55 vote. Along with Montana’s senators, three other Democrats supported the measure: Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas; and Ben Nelson of Nebraska: <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hQJxN3ceUb_uB-M4pJitRoLQDDeAD9H3OEH00" title="From the Associated Press:”>From the Associated Press:
The law has whipped up election-year passions, but most vulnerable Democrats stayed behind the administration despite polling that shows voters generally support the controversial law. Hispanic voters are a valuable Democratic-leaning constituency.
The Justice Department lawsuit is one of seven that have been filed against the new law, which goes into effect July 29.
Two Republicans, Mike Johann of Nebraska and George Voinovich of Ohio, voted against the amendment.