Republicans voted down a bill Tuesday that would provide Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, a setback for South Florida lawmakers from both parties.
Democrats needed GOP support for a bill sponsored by Reps. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, and Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, after they fast-tracked the measure to force a vote before the House of Representatives leaves for its summer recess at the end of the week. The fast-tracking meant the bill needed two-thirds support instead of a simple majority to pass.
Democrats needed about 55 Republicans to join them to pass the bill, but only 37 Republicans and one independent voted for it, along with 230 Democrats. Eleven members — five Democrats and six Republicans — didn’t vote.
Read more at our news partner the Miami Herald.
