100-0 on HR 1268

Not a single dissent on the bill primarily created as a war-spending bill HR 1268, but with crap stuck in, namely Real ID.

The bill would also prevent states from issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, stiffen asylum laws and complete construction of a long-stalled fence on the border between California and Mexico.

The immigration and asylum provision were a source of controversy and debate.

Kennedy said "the so-called Real ID immigration provisions" are "highly controversial, harmful and unnecessary."

But the legislation still passed with a 100-0 vote.

"While this bill is imperfect, it has many important provisions that our soldiers cannot be denied," Kennedy said.

I thought that Kennedy would dissent, but I guess not.

A little bit about the other part of the bill

Also in the package are provisions increasing the death benefit for U.S. service members from $12,000 to $100,000; raising the maximum life insurance benefit for service members from $250,000 to $400,000; and authorizing $100,000 payments for troops who lose a limb or suffer some other traumatic injury.

I sure as hell hope that this is retroactive for the 1600+ soldiers already dead from this unjust war.

Some states are already saying no to this bill.

"Governors are looking at all their options. If more than half of the governors agree we're not going down without a fight on this, Congress will have to consider changing this unfunded federal mandate," said Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, vice chairman of the National Governors Association. A Huckabee aide said the options include court action.

The National Governors Association is against this bill as well. Like they have anything to do with this.

The Philly Future post on Real ID with some more info and links.

The /. take on this.